spec sheet10 rows
4-HO-MET (4-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-ethyltryptamine; metocin) is a synthetic tryptamine and the methyl-ethyl homolog of psilocin. It behaves as a 5-HT2A serotonin receptor agonist, and in trained rats it fully substitutes for the discriminative stimulus of the psychedelic DOM at potencies at or below that reference agonist, supporting a classic hallucinogen profile and associated abuse liability. Users commonly describe a relatively gentle, colorful, and euphoric experience. Clinical toxicology characterization of a non-fatal intoxication established that 4-HO-MET can be identified from blood plasma using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry, with a measured plasma concentration of about 193 ng/mL and detectable N-demethyl, oxo, hydroxy, and N-oxide metabolites, whereas gas chromatography-mass spectrometry failed to detect the parent compound.
- Psilocin-like headspace
- Often reported as gentle and colorful
- Visual and emotional changes
- DOM-substituting 5-HT2A agonist; gentle psilocin analog
- Nausea and stomach upset
- Anxiety or confusion
- Pupil dilation
Mechanism
4-HO-MET agonizes the receptor, the core of the classic psychedelic state, with supporting activity at other serotonin receptors such as and 5-HT2C. Bearing the active 4-hydroxy group directly, it does not require metabolic conversion. The resulting shift in perception, mood, and thought reflects 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-MET 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 bona fide classic psychedelic with a mild reputation and probably low physiological toxicity, but it is still a research chemical with limited safety data, and psilocybin covers the same ground with vastly better human evidence. Off the table with a psychosis or bipolar history, or alongside anything serotonergic.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 2018first citedStudy of the in vitro and in vivo metabolism of 4-HO-MET
- 2022most recentCan the Intake of a Synthetic Tryptamine be Detected Only by Blood Plasma Analysis? A Clinical…
- 1.Discriminative Stimulus Effects of Substituted Tryptamines in Rats
- 2.Study of the in vitro and in vivo metabolism of 4-HO-MET
- 3.Can the Intake of a Synthetic Tryptamine be Detected Only by Blood Plasma Analysis? A Clinical Toxicology Case Involving 4-HO-MET.
3 listed here; entry last updated August 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
What is 4-HO-MET?
It is the methyl-ethyl analog of psilocin, directly active as a 5-HT2A agonist and often described as relatively gentle and colorful.
Is it a prodrug?
No; it already bears the active 4-hydroxy group, so it does not need conversion like the acetoxy tryptamines.
What is its core mechanism?
It agonizes the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor, the shared core of classic psychedelics.
Limitations of the evidence
- Limited safety data
Adverse effects
- Nausea and stomach upset
- Anxiety or confusion
- Pupil dilation