Behavioral effects of 5-methoxy-N:N-dimethyltryptamine, other tryptamines, and LSD

Summary

5-Methoxy-N:N-dimethyltryptamine significantly influenced the conditioned avoidance response in trained rats, showing stronger effects than other psychotomimetic tryptamines. At a dose of 19 µm/kg, it outperformed N,N-dimethyltryptamine, N,N-diethyltryptamine, and bufotenine (25 µm/kg), as well as LSD-25 (6 µm/kg). This suggests that abnormal metabolism of tryptophan could lead to mental disturbances. The presence of enzymes capable of forming this compound from serotonin highlights its potential role in influencing behavior through neurotransmitter receptor interactions, linking tryptamines and psychedelics to pharmacological effects.

Abstract

The effect of 5-methoxy-N:N-dimethyltryptamine on the conditioned avoidance response of trained rats was compared quantitatively, using a shuttle-box, with that of several substituted tryptamines and LSD-25. 5-Methoxy-N:N-dimethyltryptamine, at a dose level of 19 µm/kg, had a pronounced effect on the conditioned avoidance response, much more pronounced than that due to the known psychotomimetic substituted tryptamines: N:N-dimethyltryptamine, N:N-diethyltryptamine, and 5-hydroxy-N:N-dimethyltryptamine (bufotenine) at the higher dose level of 25 µm/kg. A similar response was elicited by LSD-25 at a dose level of 6 µm/kg. Both hydroxyindole-O-methylase and an enzyme capable of N-methylating indoleethylamines occur in mammals. This circumstance makes it possible to form 5-methoxy-N:N-dimethyltryptamine from such substrates as serotonin. The pronounced behavioral effect of this and similar methoxyindolealkylamine suggests that abnormal tryptophan metabolism could result in mental disturbance.

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