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    Bufotenin molecular structure

    Bufotenin Stats & Data

    Jopo Hataj Niopo Cohoba Mapine
    Chemical Class Tryptamine
    Psychoactive Class Psychedelic
    Half-Life Unknown in humans; rapid MAO‑A metabolism and predominantly peripheral elimination inferred from animal and legacy human data.

    Pharmacology

    DrugBank
    State Solid

    Description

    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 Reports
    Psychedelic 7.0

    Strong body load, visuals, headspace, and auditory effects

    Visual Intensity×3
    8
    Headspace Depth×3
    8
    Auditory Effects×1
    8
    Body Load / Somatic Effects×1
    10

    Tolerance & Pharmacokinetics

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    Half-Life
    Unknown in humans; rapid MAO‑A metabolism and predominantly peripheral elimination inferred from animal and legacy human data.
    Addiction Potential
    Very low; no documented cases of compulsive use or physiological dependence. Rapid acute tolerance limits back-to-back dosing.

    Tolerance Decay

    Full tolerance 0h Half tolerance 0d Baseline ~1d

    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

    Psilocin
    40% ●○○
    DMT
    40% ●○○
    LSD
    30% ●○○
    Other serotonergic psychedelics
    30% ●○○

    Experience Report Analysis

    Erowid
    4 Reports
    2007–2009 Date Range
    5 Effects Detected

    Demographics

    Gender Distribution

    Reports Over Time

    Effect Analysis

    Erowid

    Effects aggregated from 4 experience reports (4 Erowid)

    4 Reports
    5 Effects Detected
    2 Positive
    0 Adverse
    3 Neutral

    Effect Sentiment Distribution

    Confidence Distribution

    Positive Effects 2

    Euphoria 100.0% 70%
    Color Enhancement 75.0% 70%

    Adverse Effects 0

    Real-World Dose Distribution

    62K Doses

    From 8 individual dose entries

    Smoked (n=5)

    Median: 10.0mg 25th: 8.0mg 75th: 10.0mg 90th: 13.0mg
    mg/kg median: 0.138 mg/kg 75th: 0.147

    Harm Reduction

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    • 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.

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