Summary

α-Methyltryptamine (αMT), also known as Indopan, belongs to the tryptamine class and was initially developed by Upjohn in the 1960s. Used briefly as an antidepressant in the Soviet Union, it gained popularity as a legal high in England and Wales until its ban in 2015. Limited data exists on its pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity, necessitating caution in its use.

Pharmacology

αMT acts as a balanced reuptake inhibitor and releasing agent for serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Its psychedelic effects stem from its efficacy at the 5-HT2A receptor as a partial agonist. While it also acts as a serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine releasing agent, its role as a weak, non-selective RIMA is likely insignificant at common doses.

Physical Effects

• Stimulation: αMT induces high physical energy levels, leading to jaw clenching and unsteadiness.
• Spontaneous Bodily Sensations: Intense, constant sensations throughout the body.
• Difficulty Urinating: Slight difficulty may be present.
• Temperature Regulation Suppression, Headaches, Abnormal Heartbeat, Increased Blood Pressure, Increased Heart Rate, Increased Perspiration, Nausea, Pupil Dilation: Various physical effects are reported.

Cognitive Effects

αMT's cognitive effects include anxiety suppression, disinhibition, empathy enhancement, analysis enhancement, conceptual thinking, emotion enhancement, cognitive euphoria, immersion enhancement, increased music appreciation, memory suppression, ego death, thought acceleration, thought connectivity, time distortion, and wakefulness.

Visual Effects

Visual effects, present at large doses, include acuity enhancement, color enhancement, pattern recognition enhancement, drifting, symmetrical texture repetition, afterimages, color shifting, scenery slicing, tracers, and hallucinatory states with transformations and internal hallucinations.

Toxicity and Harm Potential

Limited scientific study exists on the toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational αMT use. Excessive doses or combination with certain substances can be dangerous. There is one reported death, and high doses or repeated use may cause serotonergic neurotoxicity. Anecdotal reports suggest minimal harm at low to moderate doses, but caution and independent research are advised.

Legal Status

As of 2014, αMT is not under international control. However, its legal status varies globally, with Australia, Austria, China, Denmark, Germany, and Greece having regulations against its possession, production, and sale.

Pharmacology

Balanced Reuptake Inhibition and Release

αMT acts as a balanced reuptake inhibitor and releasing agent for serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, contributing to its entactogenic effects. Additionally, it functions as a non-selective serotonin receptor agonist, particularly at the 5-HT2A receptor.

Weak RIMA Properties

While αMT exhibits weak, non-selective reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase-A (RIMA) properties in vitro and in vivo, their significance at common doses is likely minimal.

Physical Effects

αMT induces various physical effects:

Stimulation

Users experience heightened physical energy levels, leading to activities such as running, dancing, or climbing.

Spontaneous Bodily Sensations

The "body high" is described as an intense, constant sensation, distinct from other psychedelics.

Difficulty Urinating

Slight difficulty in urination may occur.

Temperature Regulation Suppression

αMT can suppress the body's ability to regulate temperature.

Headaches

Reports of headaches, especially towards the end of the experience, are common.

Abnormal Heartbeat, Increased Blood Pressure, Increased Heart Rate, Increased Perspiration

Cardiovascular effects include abnormal heartbeat, increased blood pressure, heart rate, and perspiration.

Nausea

Moderate to extreme nausea is commonly reported but tends to diminish during the peak experience.

Pupil Dilation

Pupil dilation is observed as a visual effect.

Cognitive Effects

Diverse Cognitive Components

αMT's cognitive effects include:

Anxiety Suppression

Anxiety is suppressed during the experience.

Disinhibition

Users may exhibit reduced inhibitions.

Empathy Enhancement

Enhanced feelings of sociability, love, and empathy, although milder than MDMA.

Analysis Enhancement

Increased introspection, particularly in non-social settings.

Conceptual Thinking, Emotion Enhancement

Enhanced conceptual thinking and emotions.

Cognitive Euphoria, Immersion Enhancement

Experiencing cognitive euphoria and enhanced immersion.

Increased Music Appreciation, Memory Suppression

Heightened appreciation for music and memory suppression.

Ego Death, Thought Acceleration, Thought Connectivity, Time Distortion, Wakefulness

Profound effects include ego death, accelerated thoughts, enhanced connectivity, time distortion, and increased wakefulness.

Visual Effects

Dose-Dependent Visuals

Visual effects manifest at larger doses:

Enhancements

• Acuity Enhancement: Improved visual acuity.
• Colour Enhancement: Intensified perception of colors.
• Pattern Recognition Enhancement: Improved pattern recognition.

Distortions

• Drifting: Slow, smooth, and detailed motion.
• Symmetrical Texture Repetition: Less intricate than other psychedelics.
• After Images, Colour Shifting, Scenery Slicing, Tracers: Various visual distortions.

Geometry

Visual geometry is comparable to Psilocin and 2C-E, with intricacy increasing at higher doses, potentially leading to Level 8B geometry.

Hallucinatory States

Transformations and internal hallucinations, occurring more commonly in dark environments, may manifest towards the end of the experience.

Toxicity and Harm Potential

Limited Scientific Study

Scientific studies on αMT's toxicity and long-term health effects are lacking due to its status as a research chemical.

Dangers of Excessive Doses and Combining Substances

Excessive doses or combination with MAOIs, RIMAs, stimulants, or serotonin and dopamine reuptake inhibitors can be dangerous.

Reported Death and Unverifiable Hospitalizations

One reported death and unverifiable hospitalizations after high-dose ingestion highlight potential risks.

Neurotoxicity Concerns

Analogous substances, like αET, suggest possible serotonergic neurotoxicity at high doses or with repeated long-term use.

Anecdotal Reports of Minimal Harm

Anecdotal reports suggest no negative health effects at low to moderate doses, emphasizing the importance of independent research and cautious use.

Legal Status

Global Variation

αMT's legal status varies worldwide:

• Not Under International Control (2014): αMT is not internationally controlled.
• Australia: Illegal to possess, produce, and sell.
• Austria: Illegal under the Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Gesetz Österreich.
• Canada: Not mentioned in the Controlled Substances and Substances Act.
• China: Controlled substance since October 2015.
• Denmark: Listed as a controlled substance (List B) since 2010.
• Germany: Controlled under Anlage I BtMG (Narcotics Act, Schedule I) since January 31, 1993.
• Greece: Illegal under law 4139/2013.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is α-Methyltryptamine (αMT)?

αMT, also known as Indopan, is a tryptamine-class substance initially developed by Upjohn in the 1960s. It was briefly used as an antidepressant in the Soviet Union under the trade name Indopan.

2. How does αMT affect the body?

αMT acts as a balanced reuptake inhibitor and releasing agent for serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. It also functions as a non-selective serotonin receptor agonist, contributing to its entactogenic effects.

3. What are the physical effects of αMT?

Physical effects include stimulation, spontaneous bodily sensations, difficulty urinating, temperature regulation suppression, headaches, abnormal heartbeat, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, increased perspiration, nausea, and pupil dilation.

4. What are the cognitive effects of αMT?

Cognitive effects encompass anxiety suppression, disinhibition, empathy enhancement, analysis enhancement, conceptual thinking, emotion enhancement, cognitive euphoria, immersion enhancement, increased music appreciation, memory suppression, ego death, thought acceleration, thought connectivity, time distortion, and wakefulness.

5. Are there visual effects associated with αMT?

Visual effects, dose-dependent, include acuity enhancement, color enhancement, pattern recognition enhancement, drifting, symmetrical texture repetition, afterimages, color shifting, scenery slicing, tracers, and hallucinatory states with transformations and internal hallucinations.

6. Is αMT toxic? What are the potential health risks?

Limited scientific studies exist on the toxicity of αMT. Excessive doses or combination with certain substances can be dangerous. Reported cases include one death and unverifiable hospitalizations after high-dose ingestion. Neurotoxicity concerns have been raised, especially with high dosages or repeated long-term use.

7. How should αMT be used safely?

It is highly advised to practice harm reduction when using αMT. Caution should be exercised with dosage, and potential interactions with other substances, including MAOIs, RIMAs, and stimulants, should be considered. Independent research is crucial to ensuring the safety of combining substances.

8. What is the legal status of αMT?

As of 2014, αMT is not under international control. However, its legal status varies globally. For example, it is illegal in Australia, Austria, China, Denmark, Germany, and Greece, while Canada has no specific regulations on αMT.

9. Can αMT be used recreationally?

αMT gained popularity as a legal high in England and Wales until its ban in 2015. Recreational use is associated with stimulating and psychedelic effects, but users should be aware of the potential risks and legal implications.

10. Where can I find more information about αMT?

For additional information and harm reduction practices, consider reputable sources such as Erowid, scientific literature, and community forums dedicated to psychedelic substances. Always prioritize safety and informed decision-making.