4-AcO-DMT
4-AcO-DMT (psilacetin, O-acetylpsilocin) is a synthetic tryptamine closely related to psilocybin. It is thought to act largely as a prodrug for psilocin, producing an experience widely reported as very similar to magic mushrooms, with visuals, emotional depth and a duration of around 4-6 hours. It is popular as a research chemical partly for its ease of accurate dosing as a powder.
01 Overview
4-AcO-DMT is the acetylated analogue of psilocin and, like psilocybin, is believed to be deacetylated in the body to psilocin, the active 5-HT2A agonist. Users typically describe an effect profile nearly indistinguishable from psilocybin mushrooms — colourful visuals, introspection, emotional openness and, at higher doses, ego dissolution. Human research on the compound itself is minimal, though the closely related psilocybin has a substantial and growing clinical literature.
Because it is sold as a defined powder, dosing can be more precise than with mushrooms, but potency between sources still varies and mislabelling occurs. Risks mirror those of other serotonergic psychedelics: nausea, anxiety or a difficult experience, and the general caution around personal or family history of psychosis.
02 Mechanism
Prodrug believed to be metabolised to psilocin, a partial agonist at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors — the same active moiety produced by psilocybin.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Threshold | 2.5–7.5 mg | Oral | Mild effects. |
| Common | 15–25 mg | Oral | Full psychedelic effect, comparable to a moderate mushroom dose. |
| Strong | 25–40 mg | Oral | Intense; ego dissolution and higher chance of a difficult experience. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual and perceptual effectsColourful visuals and geometry closely resembling psilocybin. | Anecdotal | ||
| Emotional depth and introspectionEmotional openness, reflection and, at higher doses, ego dissolution. | Anecdotal | ||
| Mood liftPositive mood and afterglow reported by many users. | Anecdotal |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NauseaNausea during onset, similar to mushrooms though sometimes reported as milder. | Mild | Common | Anecdotal | |
| Anxiety and difficult experiencesAnxiety, confusion or a challenging experience, particularly at high doses or in an unstable setting. | Moderate | Common at higher doses | Anecdotal | |
| Latent psychiatric riskPsychedelics may precipitate prolonged psychological disturbance in vulnerable individuals, including those with a personal or family history of psychosis. | Severe | Rare | Observational |