spec sheet10 rows
4-HO-DET (4-hydroxy-N,N-diethyltryptamine, ethocin, CEY-19) is a synthetic tryptamine, the diethyl homolog of psilocin first investigated by Albert Hofmann and colleagues at Sandoz. It acts as an agonist at the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor, the principal molecular target of classic serotonergic psychedelics, producing psilocin-like effects of moderate duration. In rodent drug-discrimination testing it fully substitutes for the hallucinogen DOM, and structure-activity studies place it among the psilocybin-like 4-hydroxytryptamines with retained 5-HT2A efficacy. Historically it was explored, together with its phosphate ester CZ-74, as a shorter-acting alternative to psilocybin in psycholytic psychotherapy. Contemporary pharmacological documentation remains modest.
- Psilocin-like headspace
- Visual and emotional changes
- Comparatively short duration
- Diethyl psilocin analog activating 5-HT2A receptors
- Nausea and stomach upset
- Anxiety or confusion
- Pupil dilation
Mechanism
4-HO-DET agonizes the receptor, the core receptor of the classic psychedelic state, with additional activity at other serotonin receptors such as and 5-HT2C. Its 4-hydroxy group mirrors psilocin, so it is directly active rather than a . The resulting altered perception, mood, and cognition reflect serotonergic signaling rather than tissue toxicity.
receptor fingerprint
receptoragonist
receptoragonist
5-HT2C receptoragonist
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
As a substituted tryptamine, 4-HO-DET is expected to be relatively low in physiological toxicity but psychologically intense and poorly studied, so margins are uncertain. It can cause nausea, anxiety, and disorientation, and should be avoided by anyone with a personal or family history of psychosis or bipolar disorder; combining it with MAOIs or other strongly serotonergic drugs risks serotonin toxicity. Not medical advice.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
A psilocin analog whose only real distinction is running shorter, so there is little reason to choose it over better-characterised psychedelics. Safety margins are guesswork, nausea and anxiety are typical, and a personal or family history of psychosis or bipolar disorder rules it out entirely.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 2000first citedEffect of ring fluorination on the pharmacology of hallucinogenic tryptamines
- 2021most recentInvestigation of the Structure-Activity Relationships of Psilocybin Analogues.
- 1.Discriminative Stimulus Effects of Substituted Tryptamines in Rats
- 2.Effect of ring fluorination on the pharmacology of hallucinogenic tryptamines
- 3.Investigation of the Structure-Activity Relationships of Psilocybin Analogues.
3 listed here; entry last updated August 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
What is 4-HO-DET?
It is the diethyl analog of psilocin, historically known as CZ-74, and is directly active as a 5-HT2A agonist.
Is it a prodrug?
No; unlike the acetoxy tryptamines it already bears the active 4-hydroxy group, so it does not need conversion.
How long does it last?
It is generally reported as shorter than psilocybin, though data are limited and experiences vary.
Limitations of the evidence
- Limited safety data
Adverse effects
- Nausea and stomach upset
- Anxiety or confusion
- Pupil dilation