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    4-AcO-DMT molecular structure

    4-AcO-DMT Stats & Data

    Psychedelic Research-chemical
    4-aco Psilacetin 4-acetoxy-dmt O-acetylpsilocin Synthetic mushrooms 4acodmt
    NPS DataHub
    MW362.38
    FormulaC18H22N2O6
    CAS1217230-42-6
    IUPAC(2E)-but-2-enedioic acid 3-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl acetate (1:1)
    SMILESCN(C)CCc1cnc2cccc(OC(C)=O)c12.O=C([O-])C=CC(=O)[O-].[H+].[H+]
    InChIKeyQIJLOAPCCJQEEZ-WLHGVMLRSA-N
    2020/5.1 Indol-3-alkylamine; 2021/5.1 Indol-3-alkylamine; 2022/5.1 Indol-3-alkylamine
    Chemical Class Tryptamine
    Psychoactive Class Psychedelic
    Half-Life Not well established for 4‑AcO‑DMT; psilocin (the likely active) is commonly reported to have an elimination half‑life around ~2–3 hours in humans.

    Receptor Profile

    Receptor Actions

    Agonists
    5-HT2A receptor agonist (partial)
    Other
    prodrug of psilocin

    History & Culture

    1963–1999

    4-AcO-DMT was first synthesized in 1963 by the Swiss chemists Albert Hofmann and Franz Troxler during systematic investigations into psilocin analogs conducted at Sandoz Laboratories. The compound, along with several other psilocin esters, was patented by Sandoz Ltd on January 16, 1963. Notably, despite its structural relationship to known psychoactive tryptamines, 4-AcO-DMT was not evaluated for psychoactivity at the time of its synthesis, and it remains unknown when its effects in humans were first deliberately explored. The compound received renewed scientific attention in 1999 when David E. Nichols and colleagues published improvements to its chemical synthesis. Nichols proposed 4-AcO-DMT as a potentially more accessible alternative to psilocybin for pharmacological research, noting that its synthesis is less technically demanding and that it exists outside the scheduling restrictions that complicate work with psilocybin itself.

    2009–2019

    4-AcO-DMT was first identified as a novel designer drug in Europe in 2009. Following its appearance on online research chemical vendor sites in the early 2010s, reports of recreational use began to accumulate in psychonaut communities. The compound rapidly gained popularity due to its accessibility, its unscheduled status in many jurisdictions, and user reports describing effects comparable to those of psilocybin-containing mushrooms. By the mid-2010s, 4-AcO-DMT had become the most commonly encountered novel tryptamine in the research chemical market.

    2020–present

    Throughout the 2020s, 4-AcO-DMT has become increasingly prevalent in the United States, particularly in the form of "mushroom edibles" marketed as alternatives to psilocybin products. This trend has led to the compound acquiring the colloquial name "synthetic shrooms." The proliferation of these edibles has raised harm reduction concerns, as products sold as mushroom chocolates or similar preparations may contain 4-AcO-DMT, constituents from Amanita muscaria mushrooms, or other substituted substances without accurate labeling, complicating dosing and informed consent for consumers.

    Subjective Effect Notes

    physical: The physical effects of 4-AcO-DMT can be broken down into two components all of which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.

    cognitive: The head space of 4-AcO-DMT is described by many as extremely relaxing, profound and stoning in its style when compared to other commonly used psychedelics such as LSD or 2C-B which tend to be energetic and stimulating. It contains a large number of psychedelic typical and unique cognitive effects.

    Effect Profile

    Curated + 349 Reports
    Psychedelic 8.8

    Strong visuals, headspace, auditory effects, and body load

    Visual Intensity×3
    10102.4
    Headspace Depth×3
    10103.1
    Auditory Effects×1
    10101.2
    Body Load / Somatic Effects×1
    108.82.5
    Catalog Erowid BlueLight
    Based on reports from:
    Effect Index The Blizzard — nervewing Effect Index My Triumphant Return — Greg Effect Index A Relaxing Morning in the Park — Greg Effect Index My One Bad Trip — Greg Effect Index Thawing — nervewing Effect Index Surrender — Kaylee Effect Index I Begged the Shroom Aliens to Kill Me — Oscarette Effect Index Permanent All-Encompassing States of Unity and Interconnectedness — Oscarette Effect Index Relationship Problems — Oscarette Effect Index A Profound Sense of Oneness — Oscarette Effect Index I Saw an Angry God-Like Figure Made of Clouds Glaring Down at Me — Oscarette Effect Index This Is Disgusting and Shameful — nervewing Effect Index I Was Overcome with Feelings About My Family — Oscarette Effect Index Extremely Reckless Drug Abuse with My Girlfriend — Oscarette Bluelight Big & Dandy Thread Erowid Experience Reports PsychonautWiki 4-AcO-DMT The Drug Users Bible 4-AcO-DMT

    Duration Timeline

    Bluelight
    Onset Comeup Peak Offset After Effects
    Oral
    19 minutes - 1.0 hours
    30 minutes - 1.5 hours
    2-3 hours
    1-2 hours
    2-8 hours
    Total: 6-8 hours
    Insufflated
    1-15 minutes
    15-30 minutes
    1.5-3 hours
    1-2 hours
    2-6 hours
    Total: 3-5 hours

    Empirical Duration

    Erowid Reports
    Onset Come Up Peak Offset
    Oral (35 reports)

    Community Effects

    TripSit
    Positive
    euphoria

    Tolerance & Pharmacokinetics

    drugs.wiki
    Half-Life
    Not well established for 4‑AcO‑DMT; psilocin (the likely active) is commonly reported to have an elimination half‑life around ~2–3 hours in humans.
    Addiction Potential
    Low; not considered physically addictive. Psychological habituation is possible with frequent use. Tolerance builds quickly and cross‑tolerance exists with other serotonergic psychedelics.

    Tolerance Decay

    Full tolerance 1d Half tolerance 5d Baseline ~14d

    Empirical rules of thumb from community data: substantial tolerance is present for several days after a dose; near‑baseline returns in roughly 10–14 days. Repeated redosing within a session provides diminishing returns and more side‑effects. Data quality is anecdotal; no controlled human tolerance studies for 4‑AcO‑DMT specifically.

    Cross-Tolerances

    Psilocybin/Psilocin
    80% ●●○
    LSD & other serotonergic psychedelics
    60% ●○○

    Experience Report Analysis

    Erowid BlueLight
    275 Reports
    2006–2024 Date Range
    240 With Age Data
    33 Effects Detected

    Demographics

    Gender Distribution

    Age Distribution

    Reports Over Time

    Effect Analysis

    Erowid + Bluelight

    Effects aggregated from 325 experience reports (275 Erowid + 74 Bluelight)

    325 Reports
    145 Effects Detected
    71 Positive
    49 Adverse
    25 Neutral

    Effect Sentiment Distribution

    Confidence Distribution

    Positive Effects 71

    Color Enhancement 54.7% 87%
    Euphoria 50.8% 91%
    Music Enhancement 48.3% 88%
    Empathy 42.5% 86%
    Stimulation 37.2% 84%
    Introspection 30.7% 87%
    Tactile Enhancement 28.3% 75%
    Focus Enhancement 26.8% 82%
    Joy 26.0% 87%
    Insight 24.0% 89%
    Awe 22.0% 88%
    Patterning 18.0% 89%
    Thought Acceleration 18.0% 81%
    Bliss 18.0% 87%
    Body High 17.2% 85%
    Warping 16.0% 86%
    Love 16.0% 89%
    Geometric Imagery 16.0% 87%
    Visual Trails 16.0% 81%
    Surface Breathing 14.0% 80%

    Adverse Effects 49

    Anxiety 56.3% 86%
    Confusion 40.9% 86%
    Nausea 32.0% 82%
    Body Load 22.0% 76%
    Dysphoria 16.0% 81%
    Memory Suppression 14.2% 76%
    Fear 12.0% 90%
    Thought Loops 11.7% 81%
    Muscle Tension 11.3% 70%
    Pupil Dilation 10.1% 91%
    Panic 10.0% 88%
    Paranoia 10.0% 81%
    Depersonalization 10.0% 77%
    Motor Impairment 8.3% 80%
    Psychosis 8.0% 70%
    Sadness 8.0% 80%
    Focus Suppression 8.0% 78%
    Thought Disorganization 8.0% 84%
    Headache 7.3% 70%
    Increased Heart Rate 6.9% 70%

    Dose-Response Correlation

    How effect frequency changes across dose levels

    View data table
    Effect Light (n=13) Common (n=56) Strong (n=46) Heavy (n=33)
    Visual Distortions 92.3% 91.1% 91.3% 90.9%
    Color Enhancement 92.3% 76.8% 60.9% 54.5%
    Empathy 76.9% 55.4% 52.2% 60.6%
    Anxiety 69.2% 73.2% 58.7% 75.8%
    Music Enhancement 61.5% 75.0% 58.7% 48.5%
    Euphoria 61.5% 60.7% 54.3% 54.5%
    Confusion 23.1% 55.4% 47.8% 51.5%
    Focus Enhancement 53.8% 44.6% 23.9% 24.2%
    Tactile Enhancement 30.8% 30.4% 41.3% 48.5%
    Stimulation 46.2% 41.1% 43.5% 45.5%
    Dissociation 46.2% 25.0% 23.9% 36.4%
    Auditory Effects 15.4% 42.9% 45.7% 36.4%
    Nausea 15.4% 39.3% 43.5% 45.5%
    Closed-Eye Visuals 23.1% 42.9% 32.6% 27.3%
    Sedation 15.4% 39.3% 19.6% 27.3%

    Subjective Effect Ontology

    Experience Reports

    Structured effect tags extracted from 349 Erowid & Bluelight experience reports using a controlled vocabulary of 220+ canonical effects across 15 domains.

    Auditory

    music enhancement 157 45.3%

    Cognitive

    confusion 133 38.8% introspection 100 30.8%

    Emotional

    anxiety 183 53.9% euphoria 165 49.2% empathy 138 40.4%

    Gastrointestinal

    nausea 104 30.9%

    Motor

    stimulation 121 35.4%

    Visual

    visual distortions 245 70.7% color enhancement 178 52.5% closed eye visuals 115 34.6%

    11 unique effects extracted · Derived from Erowid & Bluelight reports

    Dose–Effect Mapping

    Experience Reports

    How reported effects shift across dose tiers, based on 275 experience reports.

    Oral dose range: 16.0–37.5 mg (median 25.0 mg)
    Effect Light (n=13) Common (n=56) Strong (n=46) Heavy (n=33)
    visual distortions
    92%
    91%
    91%
    91%
    		→
    color enhancement
    92%
    77%
    61%
    54%
    		↓
    empathy
    77%
    55%
    52%
    61%
    		↓
    anxiety
    69%
    73%
    59%
    76%
    		→
    music enhancement
    62%
    75%
    59%
    48%
    		↓
    euphoria
    62%
    61%
    54%
    54%
    		→
    confusion
    23%
    55%
    48%
    52%
    		↑
    focus enhancement
    54%
    45%
    24%
    24%
    		↓
    tactile enhancement
    31%
    30%
    41%
    48%
    		↑
    stimulation
    46%
    41%
    44%
    46%
    		→
    dissociation
    46%
    25%
    24%
    36%
    		↓
    auditory effects
    15%
    43%
    46%
    36%
    		↑
    nausea
    15%
    39%
    44%
    46%
    		↑
    closed-eye visuals
    23%
    43%
    33%
    27%
    		↑
    sedation
    15%
    39%
    20%
    27%
    		↑
    introspection
    15%
    29%
    35%
    30%
    		↑
    memory suppression —
    12%
    13%
    33%
    		↑
    ego dissolution
    31%
    32%
    28%
    18%
    		↓
    open-eye visuals —
    21%
    20%
    24%
    		→
    pupil dilation
    23%
    5%
    9%
    12%
    		↓

    Showing top 20 of 33 effects

    Risk Escalation

    Sentiment Analysis

    Average frequency of positive vs adverse effects across dose tiers

    Light n=13
    9 positive 50.4% 5 adverse 29.2%
    Common n=56
    10 positive 43.8% 13 adverse 19.1%
    Strong n=46
    10 positive 38.7% 12 adverse 21.2%
    Heavy n=33
    9 positive 41.4% 11 adverse 26.5%
    View effect breakdown

    Adverse Effects

    Effect Light (n=13) Common (n=56) Strong (n=46) Heavy (n=33) Change
    Anxiety
    69%
    73%
    59%
    76%
    		9%
    Confusion
    23%
    55%
    48%
    52%
    		+122%
    Nausea
    15%
    39%
    44%
    46%
    		+195%
    Memory Suppression —
    12%
    13%
    33%
    		+166%
    Pupil Dilation
    23%
    5%
    9%
    12%
    		-47%
    Thought Loops —
    11%
    20%
    15%
    		+42%
    Muscle Tension
    15%
    12%
    15%
    12%
    		-21%
    Motor Impairment —
    4%
    11%
    15%
    		+322%
    Increased Heart Rate —
    5%
    9%
    12%
    		+124%
    Headache —
    9%
    11%
    		— +22%
    Sweating —
    9%
    9%
    9%
    		2%
    Psychosis — —
    9%
    9%
    		4%
    Jaw Clenching —
    9%
    		— — 0%
    Seizure —
    4%
    		— — 0%

    Positive Effects

    Effect Light (n=13) Common (n=56) Strong (n=46) Heavy (n=33) Change
    Color Enhancement
    92%
    77%
    61%
    54%
    		-40%
    Empathy
    77%
    55%
    52%
    61%
    		-21%
    Music Enhancement
    62%
    75%
    59%
    48%
    		-21%
    Euphoria
    62%
    61%
    54%
    54%
    		-11%
    Focus Enhancement
    54%
    45%
    24%
    24%
    		-55%
    Tactile Enhancement
    31%
    30%
    41%
    48%
    		+57%
    Stimulation
    46%
    41%
    44%
    46%
    		-1%
    Introspection
    15%
    29%
    35%
    30%
    		+96%
    Body High
    15%
    20%
    13%
    6%
    		-60%
    Creativity Enhancement —
    5%
    4%
    		— -20%

    Dosage Distribution

    Dose distribution from experience reports

    Oral

    Median: 25.0 mg IQR: 16.0–37.5 mg n=140

    Insufflated

    Median: 17.0 mg IQR: 10.0–25.0 mg n=11

    Real-World Dose Distribution

    62K Doses

    From 328 individual dose entries

    Oral (n=249)

    Median: 20.0mg 25th: 15.0mg 75th: 30.0mg 90th: 45.0mg
    mg/kg median: 0.294 mg/kg 75th: 0.405

    Intramuscular (n=6)

    Median: 22.0mg 25th: 12.5mg 75th: 30.0mg 90th: 32.5mg
    mg/kg median: 0.22 mg/kg 75th: 0.378

    Insufflated (n=20)

    Median: 16.0mg 25th: 8.5mg 75th: 20.0mg 90th: 25.5mg
    mg/kg median: 0.22 mg/kg 75th: 0.315

    Intravenous (n=11)

    Median: 15.0mg 25th: 5.0mg 75th: 35.0mg 90th: 60.0mg
    mg/kg median: 0.165 mg/kg 75th: 0.51

    Rectal (n=5)

    Median: 20.0mg 25th: 15.0mg 75th: 25.0mg 90th: 40.0mg
    mg/kg median: 0.35 mg/kg 75th: 0.394

    Common Combinations

    Most co-occurring substances in experience reports

    Form / Preparation

    Most common forms and preparations reported

    Body-Weight Dosing

    Dose relative to body weight from reports with weight data

    Oral

    Median: 0.308 mg/kg IQR: 0.221–0.472 mg/kg n=136

    Insufflated

    Median: 0.298 mg/kg IQR: 0.091–0.315 mg/kg n=11

    Intravenous

    Median: 0.654 mg/kg IQR: 0.304–0.802 mg/kg n=5

    Redose Patterns

    Redosing behavior across 208 reports

    19.2% Redosed
    1.2 Avg Doses
    55m Median Interval
    Read full reports on Erowid →

    Legal Status

    Country Status Notes
    Australia Schedule 9 Classified as a Schedule 9 prohibited substance under the Poisons Standard (October 2015) as an analog of psilocin. This classification restricts manufacture, possession, sale, or use except for approved medical or scientific research purposes.
    Belgium Import prohibited Importation of 4-AcO-DMT is illegal in Belgium under national drug control legislation.
    Brazil Illegal Listed as a controlled substance under Portaria SVS/MS nº 344. Possession, production, and sale are prohibited.
    Czech Republic Prohibited Banned under national drug legislation except for strictly limited research and therapeutic purposes with appropriate authorization.
    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 DMT. Manufacturing, possession, importation, exportation, purchase, sale, procurement, and dispensing without a license are illegal.
    Israel Illegal Classified as a controlled substance by virtue of being a derivative of DMT under national drug control legislation.
    Italy Illegal Prohibited under Italian drug law as an ester of a controlled substance (psilocin). Possession, production, and distribution are criminal offenses.
    Japan Controlled substance Designated as a controlled substance effective July 29, 2015, under national drug control legislation.
    Sweden Schedule I Added to the Narcotic Drugs Punishments Act as a Schedule I substance (classified as substances without accepted medical use) on January 25, 2017. Listed as '4-acetoxi-N,N-dimetyltryptamin' in Medical Products Agency regulation HSLF-FS 2017:1.
    Switzerland Potentially illegal May be considered illegal under Buchstabe B of Swiss narcotics legislation as an ester analog of psilocin. Legal status is interpreted rather than explicitly scheduled.
    Turkey Illegal Classified as a controlled drug. Possession, production, supply, and importation are prohibited under national drug legislation.
    United Kingdom Class A Controlled as a Class A substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 because it is an ester of the Class A drug psilocin. Class A offenses carry the most severe penalties in UK drug law.
    United States Unscheduled (Federal Analogue Act applies) Not explicitly scheduled under federal law, but possession or sale for human consumption may be prosecuted under the Federal Analogue Act of 1986, as it is considered an analog of the Schedule I substance psilocin. Can be legally possessed for research purposes when labeled 'not for human consumption.' Additionally, 4-AcO-DMT is listed as a Schedule I controlled substance at the state level in several states, including Alabama (since March 18, 2014).

    Harm Reduction

    drugs.wiki

    4‑AcO‑DMT is a semisynthetic 4‑substituted tryptamine likely acting as a prodrug of psilocin; effects and durations are broadly similar to psilocybin/psilocin, though some users perceive a “warmer/more euphoric” tone. Insufflation produces a faster, sharper onset and is commonly described as painful/irritating; oral use is easier to titrate. Product stability varies: exposure to heat, moisture, and oxygen can darken material over time (often towards tan/brown) and partial hydrolysis to psilocin may occur; potency may drift and batches may co‑contain psilocin—test and start low with new supplies. Salt form differences (fumarate vs HCl) change mass‑by‑mass potency only modestly; Erowid’s chemistry notes suggest the typical fumarate is diprotic, making the practical potency gap just a few percent rather than ~25% as sometimes claimed. Community drug‑checking data and reports have found some samples containing both 4‑AcO‑DMT and psilocin, consistent with hydrolysis or co‑formulation. Store airtight, dry, and cold (freezer, desiccant, light‑protected) to slow degradation; avoid long‑term aqueous solutions. Test with Ehrlich’s (indole positive but non‑specific); reagent testing cannot reliably confirm identity—lab analysis is required. Avoid use if you or close family have psychotic or bipolar spectrum disorders; psychedelics can precipitate mania/psychosis in susceptible individuals. Use a sitter, sober environment, and avoid driving for the rest of the day. Because delayed onsets (up to ~2 h) are occasionally reported, do not redose early.

    References

    Data Sources

    Cited References

    Drugs.wiki References

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