4-HO-DET
4-HO-DET, also known as 4-hydroxy-N,''N-diethyltryptamine as well as ethocin or CZ-74, is a psychedelic drug of the tryptamine and 4-hydroxytryptamine families related to psilocin. It is taken orally.
The drug acts as a non-selective serotonin receptor agonist, including of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor among others. It produces psychedelic-like effects in animals. 4-HO-DET is closely structurally related to other psychedelic tryptamines such as psilocin, diethyltryptamine, and 4-HO-MET. Ethocybin and 4-AcO-DET are assumed to act as prodrugs of 4-HO-DET.
4-HO-DET was first described in the literature by 1963. It was developed at Sandoz by Albert Hofmann and colleagues. The drug was studied in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy by Hanscarl Leuner and colleagues in the 1960s. Later, it was described further by Alexander Shulgin in his 1997 book TiHKAL''. 4-HO-DET was encountered as a novel designer drug in 2005.
Use and effects
In his book TiHKAL and other publications, Alexander Shulgin variably lists the dose range of 4-HO-DET as 10 to 25mg orally, either as 4-HO-DET itself or as presumed prodrugs like ethocybin or 4-AcO-DET, and its duration as 2 to 6hours. Threshold effects are said to occur at doses of 5 to 15mg, whereas loss of contact with reality is said to occur at doses over 30mg. However, strong effects have also been reported at a dose of 15mg of ethocybin. A typical dose estimate has been reported to be around 17.5mg. The onset of 4-HO-DET is described as being around 30 to 45minutes.The drug has been reported to be very similar to psilocin and psilocybin in its qualitative effects but to be somewhat shorter in duration, for instance as short as 2 to 3hours. The effects of 4-HO-DET, either as 4-HO-DET itself or as presumed prodrugs, have been reported to include closed-eye visuals, open-eye visuals such as fire light turning into bursts of color, potential for intense psychedelic visuals, auditory hallucinations, time dilation, temporal and spatial disorientation, body image disturbance, musical immersion, derealization, ego death, feeling like one has ceased to exist, feelings of oneness with the universe or reality, ineffability, "sparkly-ness", powerful emotions including feelings of intense love, peace, acceptance, awe, reverence, and joy, feelings of sadness, uncomfortableness, and feeling overwhelmed.
Other effects included feeling intoxicated, sedation, restlessness, loss of language ability, impaired concentration, compulsion to talk and interact with others, and lack of erotic feelings. At very high doses, effects including temporary psychosis, depersonalization, mystical experiences, delirium, schizophrenia-like behavior, catatonia, and paranoia have been found to occur. Physical effects have been reported to include stomach and abdominal discomfort, appetite loss, jaw tightening, body tremors, motor incoordination, body disturbance, diuretic effects, and increased blood pressure.
Interactions
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
4-HO-DET acts as a potent non-selective serotonin receptor agonist, including of the serotonin 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C receptors. It may also act as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, with low affinity but moderate potency. The drug showed no significant activity at various other assessed targets, including adrenergic receptors, dopamine receptors, muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, and the dopamine transporter.It induces the head-twitch response, a behavioral proxy of psychedelic effects, in rodents. Its potency for inducing the head-twitch response in mice is approximately 2-fold lower than that of psilocin.