4-HO-MET's psychedelic effects are believed to come from its activity at the 5-HT2A receptor as a partial agonist. However, the role of these interactions and how they result in the psychedelic experience remains subject to on-going scientific investigation.
A large body of anecdotal reports suggests that the active dose can vary greatly. Some users report very heavy experiences with doses as low as 17mg, while others report light experiences with doses as high as 30 mg. Possible causes may be attributed to individual differences in neurochemistry and metabolism as well as variations in batch quality and physical forms (e.g. HCl vs. fumarate salt).
The experiences reported indicate hallucinatory states coming in waves of euphoria, swapping from moments of sobriety to intense visuals. Because 4-HO-MET is heavy on visuals and light on cognitive distress, it can be described as a recreational and practical alternative to psilocybin mushrooms, with thematic similarities in visual effects.
- Combination effects
- Cannabis** - When used in conjunction with cannabis, both the visual and cognitive effects of 4-HO-MET can be intensified and extended with extreme efficacy. This should be used with extreme caution, however, especially if one is not experienced with psychedelics as this can also amplify the anxiety, confusion and psychosis producing aspects of cannabis significantly.
- Dissociatives** - When used in combination with dissociatives, the geometry, euphoria, dissociation and hallucinatory effects are often greatly enhanced. Dissociative-induced holes, spaces, and voids while under the influence of 4-HO-MET can result in significantly more vivid visuals than dissociatives alone present, along with more intense internal hallucinations, confusion, delusions and chances of a psychotic reaction.
- MDMA** - When used in conjunction with MDMA, the physical and cognitive effects of MDMA are amplified. The visual, physical and cognitive effects of 4-HO-MET are also intensified with an overwhelming euphoric pleasure manifested through uniquely pleasurable body highs and headspaces, and uniquely colorful and awe-inspiring visuals. The synergy between these substances is unpredictable, and it is best to start with markedly lower dosages than one would take for both substances individually.
- Alcohol** - This interaction is not typically recommended due to alcohol’s ability to cause dehydration, which can negatively affect a trip if taken in high dosages. This combination is, however, reasonably safe in low doses and when used responsibly, this can often "take the edge off the trip" as well as dull its psychedelic effects in a fashion somewhat similar to benzodiazepines, albeit more in a more stressful way on the body.
- Benzodiazepines** - When used in combination with benzodiazepines, benzodiazepines can, depending on the dosage, slightly to completely reduce the intensity of the cognitive, physical and visual effects of a 4-HO-MET trip. With higher doses, they are very efficient at stopping "bad trips" at the cost of reduced trip intensity and in the worst case, amnesia and blacking out. Caution is advised when acquiring them for this purpose, however, due to the very high addiction potential that benzodiazepines possess. It is generally advised to refrain from intending to use them at all unless the trip suddenly becomes completely overwhelming.
The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational 4-HO-toxic dose is unknown. This is because 4-HO-MET is a research chemical with very little history of human usage. However, there are reports of very high doses leading to drug induced psychosis.
Anecdotal evidence from those who have tried 4-HO-MET suggests that there are no negative health effects attributed to simply trying the substance by itself at low to moderate doses and using it very sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed). Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.
It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this substance.
4-HO-not habit-forming, and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use. It is most often self-regulating.
Tolerance to the effects of 4-HO-almost immediately after ingestion. After that,37 days to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). 4-HO-MET presents cross-tolerance with Cross-all psychedelics, meaning that after the consumption of 4-HO-MET all psychedelics will have a reduced effect.
Austria: 4-HO-MET is illegal to possess, produce and sell under the NPSG (Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Gesetz Österreich).
Canada: 4-HO-MET is unscheduled in Canada.
Germany: 4-HO-MET is controlled under the NpSG (New Psychoactive Substances Act) as of July 18, 2019. Production and import with the aim to place it on the market, administration to another person, placing it on the market and trading is punishable. Possession is illegal but not punishable. The legislator considers it possible that orders of 4-HO-MET are punishable as an incitement to place it on the market.
Japan: 4-HO-MET is a controlled substance in Japan effective March 25th, 2015.
Poland:** 4-HO-MET is illegal to posses, manufacture and sell under "Wykaz środków odurzających i substancji psychotropowych" (Group I-P)
Sweden: Sveriges Riksdag added 4-HO-MET to Schedule I ("substances, plant materials and fungi which normally do not have medical use") as narcotics in Sweden as of May 1, 2012.
Switzerland: 4-HO-MET is a controlled substance specifically named under Verzeichnis E.
United Kingdom: 4-HO-MET is a Class A drug in the United Kingdom as a result of the tryptamine catch-all clause.
United States: 4-HO-MET is unscheduled in the United States. It may be considered an analogue of psilocin (4-HO-DMT), a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. As such, the sale for human consumption or the use for illicit non-medical or industrial intents and purposes could be prosecuted as crimes under the Federal Analogue Act.
Responsible use
Research chemical
Psychedelic
Tryptamine
4-AcO-MET
4-AcO-DMT
4-HO-DMT
4-HO-MET (Wikipedia)
4-HO-MET (Erowid Vault)
4-HO-MET (TiHKAL / Isomer Design)
Discussion
The Big & Dandy 4-HO-MET Thread (Bluelight)
Community Observations on Pharmacological Variability
Experienced community members who have extensively compared 4-HO-MET with related tryptamines (4-AcO-DMT, psilocybin mushrooms) consistently characterize 4-HO-MET as visually dominant with lighter cognitive load. Users with over 100 experiences report that set and setting produce far greater variation between individual trips than the chemical differences between closely related tryptamines, but that 4-HO-MET does consistently trend toward more visual and less emotionally heavy experiences.
Community reports confirm significant dose-response variability between individuals. Some users describe very heavy experiences at doses as low as 15-17 mg, while others report only light effects at 25-30 mg. This variability is attributed to differences in individual metabolism, neurochemistry, and the specific salt form used (HCl salt is reported to be more potent by weight than fumarate salt due to the difference in molecular weight of the salt portions).
Community members with cardiac conditions have expressed concern about the cardiovascular effects of 4-HO-MET and tryptamine psychedelics in general. One notable discussion involved a user whose partner had undergone open heart surgery and was interested in trying psychedelics. Community consensus was that individuals with significant cardiac history should consult with a cardiologist before using any tryptamine psychedelic, as the sympathomimetic effects (elevated heart rate and blood pressure) could pose genuine risk.
4-HO-MET can be administered via oral, smoked. The route of administration can influence both the onset and intensity of psychosis.