Methylethyltryptamine

Use and effects

MET was briefly mentioned in Alexander Shulgin's TiHKAL (Tryptamines I Have Known and Loved) and other publications, where he has stated it to be orally active as a psychedelic at doses of 80 to 100mg. Its duration, onset, and peak were not provided. The free base of MET has been reported to be active as a psychedelic via vaporization at a dose of 15mg per informal anecdotal reports. Very little information is available on the effects of MET. However, its effects have been reported to include hallucinations, euphoria, tactile enhancement, cognitive effects, pupil dilation, muscle cramps, teeth grinding, and increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Interactions

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

MET is a serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptor partial agonist. It shows very weak activity as an agonist of the serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2B receptors. In addition to acting at the serotonin 5-HT2 receptors, MET is a serotonin releasing agent with lower potency. It produces the head-twitch response, a behavioral proxy of psychedelic effects, in animals.

Chemistry

MET, also known as N-methyl*-N*-ethyltryptamine, is a substituted tryptamine derivative. It is closely related to N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and to other N,N-dialkylated tryptamines.

Analogues

Analogues of MET besides DMT include DET, DPT, DiPT, DBT, MiPT, MBT, EPT, EiPT, and PiPT, among others. Derivatives of MET include 4-HO-MET, 5-HO-MET, 5-MeO-MET, bretisilocin (5-fluoro-MET; GM-2505), and 7-F-5-MeO-MET, among others.

History

MET appears to have first been described in the literature by 1981. It was specifically mentioned in Michael Valentine Smith's Psychedelic Chemistry. Subsequently, MET was briefly described in Alexander Shulgin's TiHKAL (Tryptamines I Have Known and Loved) in 1997. MET was encountered as a novel designer drug in Europe in 2014.

Society and culture

Legal status

Canada

MET is not a controlled substance in Canada as of 2025.

United States

MET is not an explicitly controlled substance in the United States. However, it could be considered a controlled substance under the Federal Analogue Act if intended for human consumption.

References

References

1. (2016). "Neuropharmacology of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)".
2. (2018). "Behavioral Neurobiology of Psychedelic Drugs".
3. (2015). "EMCDDA–Europol 2014 annual report on the implementation of Council Decision 2005/387/JHA: in accordance with Article 10 of Council Decision 2005/387/JHA on the information exchange, risk assessment and control of new psychoactive substances: implementation reports.". Publications Office.
4. (1997). "TiHKAL: The Continuation". Transform Press.
5. (2003). "Hallucinogens: A Forensic Drug Handbook". Elsevier Science.
6. (December 2020). "Toxicology and Analysis of Psychoactive Tryptamines". Int J Mol Sci.
7. [http://www.erowid.org/experiences/exp_info7.shtml "That's okay, you're good" MET trip report] - ''The Vaults of Erowid''
8. "Methods of treating mood disorders".
9. (1981). "Psychedelic Chemistry". Loompanics Unlimited.
10. "Controlled Drugs and Substances Act".
11. (January 2026). "Orange Book: List of Controlled Substances and Regulated Chemicals (January 2026)". U.S. [[Department of Justice]]: [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] (DEA): Diversion Control Division.