4-AcO-DET Stats & Data
CCN(CC)CCc1cnc2cccc(OC(C)=O)c12WYEVVQJLTXBMPM-UHFFFAOYSA-NReceptor Profile
Receptor Actions
History & Culture
4-AcO-DET was first synthesized in 1958 by Albert Hofmann at the Sandoz laboratories in Switzerland. Despite this early synthesis, the compound remained largely unexplored for decades and has accumulated very little documented history of human usage. In the contemporary era, 4-AcO-DET has found limited use as both a recreational designer drug and an entheogenic compound, with most users acquiring it through online research chemical vendors. It remains relatively rare compared to more widely documented psychedelics in the tryptamine class.
Effect Profile
Curated + 50 ReportsStrong visuals, headspace, auditory effects, and body load
Duration Timeline
BluelightTolerance & Pharmacokinetics
drugs.wikiTolerance Decay
Estimates inferred from classical psychedelic patterns (psilocybin/LSD) and user reports; quality anecdotal. Avoid redosing to chase effects during the same session due to tolerance spikes and unpredictability.
Cross-Tolerances
Experience Report Analysis
ErowidDemographics
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Reports Over Time
Effect Analysis
ErowidEffects aggregated from 50 experience reports (50 Erowid)
Effect Sentiment Distribution
Confidence Distribution
Positive Effects 10
Adverse Effects 9
Dose-Response Correlation
How effect frequency changes across dose levels
View data table
| Effect | Strong (n=13) |
|---|---|
| Visual Distortions | 84.6% |
| Music Enhancement | 53.8% |
| Stimulation | 46.2% |
| Sedation | 46.2% |
| Color Enhancement | 38.5% |
| Nausea | 38.5% |
| Anxiety | 38.5% |
| Introspection | 30.8% |
| Muscle Tension | 30.8% |
| Tactile Enhancement | 30.8% |
| Focus Enhancement | 30.8% |
| Confusion | 30.8% |
| Empathy | 23.1% |
| Auditory Effects | 23.1% |
| Open-Eye Visuals | 23.1% |
Dose–Effect Mapping
Experience ReportsHow reported effects shift across dose tiers, based on 50 experience reports.
Limited tier coverage — most reports fall within the Strong range. Effects at other dose levels may not be represented.
| Effect | Strong (n=13) | |
|---|---|---|
| visual distortions | ||
| music enhancement | ||
| stimulation | ||
| sedation | ||
| color enhancement | ||
| nausea | ||
| anxiety | ||
| introspection | ||
| muscle tension | ||
| tactile enhancement | ||
| focus enhancement | ||
| confusion | ||
| empathy | ||
| auditory effects | ||
| open-eye visuals | ||
| closed-eye visuals | ||
| jaw clenching | ||
| pupil dilation |
Dosage Distribution
Dose distribution from experience reports
Real-World Dose Distribution
62K DosesFrom 75 individual dose entries
Oral (n=60)
Insufflated (n=6)
Form / Preparation
Most common forms and preparations reported
Body-Weight Dosing
Dose relative to body weight from reports with weight data
Redose Patterns
Redosing behavior across 39 reports
Legal Status
| Country | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Anlage I BtMG | Controlled under Anlage I of the Betäubungsmittelgesetz (Narcotics Act) since January 24, 1974, as it is classified as an ester of DET. Manufacturing, possession, importation, exportation, purchase, sale, and distribution are prohibited without a license. |
| Japan | Controlled | Designated as a controlled substance effective July 29, 2015, under national drug control legislation. |
| Sweden | Controlled | Classified as a health hazard under Lagen om förbud mot vissa hälsofarliga varor (Act on the Prohibition of Certain Goods Dangerous to Health) effective November 1, 2005, under regulation SFS 2005:733. Possession and sale are illegal. |
| Switzerland | Controlled (Verzeichnis E) | Specifically named as a controlled substance under Verzeichnis E since November 1, 2005, pursuant to the Act on the Prohibition of Certain Goods Dangerous to Health. |
| Turkey | Illegal | Classified as a controlled drug. Possession, production, supply, and importation are prohibited under Turkish drug law. |
| United Kingdom | Class A | Controlled as a Class A substance due to its status as an ester of 4-HO-DET, which falls under the tryptamine catch-all clause of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Carries the most severe penalties for possession, production, and supply. |
| United States | Unscheduled | Not federally scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act. However, as a structural analogue of psilocin (4-HO-DMT), which is a Schedule I substance, sale for human consumption or use for illicit purposes could potentially be prosecuted under the Federal Analogue Act. |
Harm Reduction
drugs.wiki4-AcO-DET likely deacetylates in vivo to 4-HO-DET (ethocin), so potency, onset, and duration can vary with metabolism; users report both short (2–4 h) and longer (6–8 h) courses. Anecdotal reports describe stronger, shorter effects via intranasal or smoked routes, but these also carry more irritation and unpredictability; oral is the most characterized and generally lowest risk ROA. Like other 4-substituted tryptamines, nausea and GI unease can occur, particularly on the come-up; fasting 3–4 h and using ginger/antiemetic strategies may help. Avoid mixing with MAOIs, tramadol, DXM, or linezolid due to serotonin toxicity risk; lithium with psychedelics has repeatedly been linked with seizures and severe adverse reactions in community reports. SSRIs/SNRIs and some antipsychotics may attenuate psychedelic effects, but they can still contribute to serotonergic burden; effects can be unpredictable. Misrepresentation in the gray/illicit market is a documented risk (e.g., tryptamines sold as psilocybin or vice versa); reagent testing (Ehrlich for indoles) and lab drug checking reduce this risk, although reagents cannot confirm exact identity. Store away from heat, moisture, and light; 4-AcO esters can hydrolyze over time to 4-HO analogs—color changes (tanning/darkening) have been reported alongside retained potency, but degradation is formulation- and storage-dependent. Tolerance builds rapidly after a single session and decays over about 1–2 weeks; cross-tolerance exists with other classical psychedelics (psilocin/psilocybin, LSD, other 4-sub tryptamines). Set and setting strongly influence outcomes; a trusted sober sitter, safe environment, and clear intentions reduce risk of panic and dangerous behavior. Seek urgent medical help for signs of serotonin toxicity (agitation, hyperthermia, tremor/clonus, confusion), chest pain, persistent vomiting, seizures, or severe confusion; disclose all substances to responders.
References
Cited References
Drugs.wiki References
- Bluelight: The Big & Dandy 4-AcO-DET Thread (ROAs, duration variability)
- Bluelight: 4-AcO-DET vs 4-HO-MET (dosage examples incl. oral/plug/IM)
- Bluelight: Smoked 4-AcO-DET—short duration report
- Reddit: 4-ACO-DET (Ethacetin) notes (duration, body load, come-up)
- TripSit guide to drug combinations (general MAOI/serotonergic cautions)
- Bluelight: Opiates and MAOIs (linezolid noted as MAOI; serotonergic opioid risks)
- Saferparty (Zurich): Alert on 4-AcO-DMT/4-HO-MET sold as psilocybin (misrepresentation risk)
- Toronto Drug Checking Service: about and reports (lab drug checking context)
- Erowid DrugsData project (lab testing overview)
- Reddit: Lithium + psychedelics caution (community seizure/adverse reports)