5-MeO-DMT: what to know

What it is

5-MeO-DMT (5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is a psychoactive compound found in several plants and in high concentrations in Bufo alvarius toad venom. Synthetic, toad-derived and plant-derived forms are used for spiritual and recreational purposes.

What the research shows

A 2023 phase 1/2 trial in Frontiers in Psychiatry gave 16 adults with treatment-resistant depression an inhaled form (GH001). It was well tolerated; in the group given up to three rising doses in one day, 7 of 8 patients were in remission on day 7. The study was small and had no placebo group.

A 2018 online survey of 515 people who had used 5-MeO-DMT, in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, found most used it less than once a year, mainly for spiritual exploration, and most reported strong mystical-type experiences. Surveys rely on self-reports and cannot show cause and effect.

A 2026 phase 2b randomized trial in JAMA (Feifel et al.) gave 193 adults with moderate to severe depression, who had not improved on two to five antidepressants, one dose of a synthetic 5-MeO-DMT nasal spray (mebufotenin benzoate, BPL-003) at 0.3 mg, 8 mg or 12 mg, with psychological support. Compared with the 0.3 mg dose, the 8 mg and 12 mg doses improved depression scores by 6.2 and 5.3 more points. Improvement typically began about two days after dosing and lasted at least eight weeks, and most people were ready to leave about two hours after dosing.

Most participants had side effects, mostly mild or moderate (headache, nausea, nasal pain) and limited to the dosing day; one person had two severe panic attacks. An accompanying JAMA editorial noted the average improvement was about 30 percent and that no participants had tried ketamine or electroconvulsive therapy. The 8 mg dose is moving to larger phase 3 trials. This is not an approved treatment.

Safety

Research on its safety is very limited. Anyone considering it should talk to a doctor first, especially if they take other medicines or have heart or mental health conditions.

Legal status

The DEA placed 5-MeO-DMT in Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act by a final rule effective January 19, 2011 (75 FR 79296). Possessing, making or supplying it is a federal crime in every state. No US state program licenses 5-MeO-DMT.