4-AcO-DMT Discovery

Albert Hofmann and Franz Troxler synthesized 4-AcO-DMT in 1963 while researching psilocin analogs. However, they did not examine psychoactive properties at that time.  In 1999, medicinal chemist David E. Nichols highlighted its promise as a more cost-effective substitute for psilocybin in pharmacological studies. Following its emergence in the online research chemical market in the 2010s, anecdotal accounts of its recreational use began to emerge.

‍Chemical Profile and Synthesis

4-AcO-DMT, chemically known as 4-Acetoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine, is a synthetic compound under the hallucinogen category. The ‘4-AcO’ in its name refers to a 4-acetoxy group attached to the nitrogen atom of the tryptamine backbone.

The chemical structure of 4-AcO-DMT, with this 4-acetoxy group, differentiates it from psilocybin, which contains a 4-phosphoryloxy group. Despite the differences, both compounds share a similar indole ring structure that is typical of tryptamines. This structural similarity underpins their comparable pharmacological effects, as scientists believe both to be prodrugs of psilocin in the human body.

Synthesizing 4-AcO-DMT in a laboratory setting typically involves acetylating psilocin, although scientists can also synthesize it from other tryptamine precursors. The process usually requires advanced knowledge of organic chemistry and access to specific reagents and equipment. The method can vary but typically involves a series of chemical reactions introducing the acetoxy group into the tryptamine structure.

‍Psychoactive Effects 

4-AcO-DMT’s tryptamine structure gives it a range of mind-altering effects comparable to classic psychedelics, particularly psilocybin.