Pharmacology
DrugBankDescription
A hallucinogenic serotonin analog found in frog or toad skins, mushrooms, higher plants, and mammals, especially in the brains, plasma, and urine of schizophrenics. Bufotenin has been used as a tool in CNS studies and misused as a psychedelic.
Pharmacodynamics
Bufotenin is a tryptamine related to the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Metabolism
Upon oral administration, bufotenine is extensively metabolized by monoamine oxidase enzymes.
Absorption
Rapidly absorbed following intravenous administration.
Toxicity
Ingestion of Bufo toad venom and eggs by humans has resulted in several reported cases of poisoning, some of which resulted in death. The acute toxicity of bufotenin in rodents has been calculated to have an LD50 of between 200 and 300 mg/kg, which by comparison, is comparable to the LD50 for intravenous morphine (200-300 mg/kg) in mice. Respiratory arrest may occur, possibly leading to death.
Effect Profile
Curated + 4 ReportsStrong body load, visuals, headspace, and auditory effects
Tolerance & Pharmacokinetics
drugs.wikiTolerance Decay
Rapid acute tolerance is typical of short-acting tryptamines; sensitivity partially returns within hours but cross-tolerance to other psychedelics can persist into the next day. Data quality primarily anecdotal.
Cross-Tolerances
Experience Report Analysis
ErowidDemographics
Gender Distribution
Reports Over Time
Effect Analysis
ErowidEffects aggregated from 4 experience reports (4 Erowid)
Effect Sentiment Distribution
Confidence Distribution
Positive Effects 2
Adverse Effects 0
Real-World Dose Distribution
62K DosesFrom 8 individual dose entries
Smoked (n=5)
Harm Reduction
drugs.wiki• Plant/toad sources: Bufotenin occurs in Anadenanthera (Yopo/Cebil) seeds and various toad (Incilius/Bufo) secretions. Toad venom also contains cardiotoxic bufadienolides; human poisonings and deaths from toad products are documented — do not use toad secretions. Use plant sources or verified pure material instead.
• Airway/cardiovascular effects: Rapid-onset chest/throat tightness, flushing/cyanosis, tachycardia and blood pressure changes were observed in historical IV human studies; risk increases with dose. Individuals with asthma, cardiovascular disease, or uncontrolled hypertension should avoid.
• MAO-A metabolism: Bufotenin is rapidly deaminated by MAO-A, which explains low oral activity without MAOI and powerful potentiation with MAO-A inhibition; this also implies higher interaction risk under MAOI or serotonergic polypharmacy.
• Vaporization/technique: Freebase bufotenin has a melting point around 146 °C (varies by polymorph); boiling/vaporization temperature is higher. Use controlled low-temperature vaporization (e.g., e-mesh/glass) and avoid direct flame to reduce harsh smoke and pyrolysis products.
• Snuffs and caustic bases: Traditional Anadenanthera snuffs often include alkaline lime/ash, which can be extremely irritating and cause mucosal injury; some reports note severe pain/allergic reactions. Never insufflate sodium hydroxide; if preparing traditional snuff, ensure bases are non-caustic, fully reacted/aged, and finely mixed — or avoid snuffs altogether in favor of carefully vaporized purified freebase.
• Set, setting, and sitter: The onset can be explosive (seconds, smoked) with brief confusion/panic; have a trusted sober sitter, clear floor/obstacles, and rehearse calm breathing. Benzodiazepines may help abort severe anxiety if medically appropriate.
• Legal status: Generally Schedule I/Class A in many jurisdictions (e.g., U.S., U.K., Australia); possession or supply can attract severe penalties. Verify local law.
• Testing/identity: Because natural materials vary and misidentification/adulteration occur, reagent or lab testing and gradual allergy testing are prudent before full doses.
References
Drugs.wiki References
- Erowid Bufotenin Vault (overview)
- Erowid archive: Jonathan Ott on intranasal/pulmonary bufotenin (doses/timing)
- Erowid archive: Melting points of tryptamine freebases (bufotenin)
- Erowid Psychoactive Toads Vault – toxicity of bufagins (cardioactive steroids)
- Erowid Anadenanthera (Yopo) – Bits & Pieces (causticity, MAOI complications)
- DrugBank: Bufotenine (DB01445) – MAO metabolism, toxicology summary
- DrugBank article summary – rat metabolism indicates MAO-A metabolism and poor BBB penetration
- PubChem: Bufotenine compound page (identity/chemistry)
- Fabing HD & Hawkins JR. Intravenous bufotenine in humans (legacy IV effects)
- TripSit community guidance (sitter advice; general acute management)