The paradox of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine: an indoleamine hallucinogen that induces stimulus control via 5-HT1A receptors.
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior January 1, 2000 J C Winter, R A Filipink, D Timineri et al. 80 citations
In rats trained to recognize the effects of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) or (-)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM), blocking specific serotonin receptors revealed which receptors mediate each drug's effects. Blocking 5-HT1A receptors strongly reduced 5-MeO-DMT's effects, while blocking 5-HT2 receptors had little effect. Conversely, DOM's effects were blocked by a 5-HT2 antagonist but not by 5-HT1A antagonists. 5-MeO-DMT partially mimicked DOM only when given subcutaneously, and this required both 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptor involvement. The findings indicate that 5-MeO-DMT's effects rely mainly on 5-HT1A receptors, but it also activates 5-HT2 receptors, a component revealed in animals trained with the 5-HT2-selective drug DOM.