2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM), also known as STP (standing for "Serenity, Tranquility, and Peace" and other phrases), is a psychedelic drug of the phenethylamine, amphetamine, and DOx families. It has stimulant and antidepressant-like effects at low doses and hallucinogenic effects at higher doses.
Use and effects
In his book PiHKAL (Phenethylamines I Have Known and Loved) and other publications, Alexander Shulgin lists DOM's dose as 3 to 10mg orally and its duration as 14 to 24hours. An estimated typical dose is about 6mg. DOM is said by Shulgin to have a slow build-up, with an onset of 30 to 60minutes and a peak of 2 to 6hours. At low doses, such as 1 to 4mg, DOM produced effects including stimulation, euphoria, enhanced self-awareness, and mild dose-dependent perceptual disturbances. In one study, in which five people were given 6mg DOM for 3days, there were "extremely intense" effects the first day, but diminished effects on the third day, ranging from "moderately strong" to "felt absolutely nothing".
The drug is inactive as a human trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) agonist but is an agonist of the rhesus monkey TAAR1. DOM is inactive as a monoamine reuptake inhibitor and releasing agent. It is a very weak monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), specifically of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), whereas it was inactive at monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B).
Effects
DOM produces the head-twitch response in rodents, a behavioral proxy of psychedelic-like effects. The head-twitch response produced by DOM is robust. Conversely however, DOC has shown reinforcing effects, including conditioned place preference (CPP) and self-administration, in rodents similarly to methamphetamine. This is analogous to other findings in which various 2C and NBOMe drugs have been found to produce dopaminergic elevations and reinforcing effects in rodents.
DOM has potent anti-inflammatory effects, which may have medical applications.
Pharmacokinetics
The pharmacokinetics of DOM, including in humans, have been very limitedly studied. They might contribute to the delayed onset and long duration of DOM in humans. About 5 to 20% of a dose of DOM is excreted unchanged in humans.
Properties
The chemical properties of DOM have been described.
History
DOM was first synthesized and tested in 1963 by Alexander Shulgin, who was investigating the effect of 4-position substitutions on psychedelic amphetamines.
Legal status
Australia
DOM is schedule 9 under the Australia Poisons standard. A schedule 9 substance is a "Substances which may be abused or misused, the manufacture, possession, sale or use of which should be prohibited by law except when required for medical or scientific research, or for analytical, teaching or training purposes with approval of Commonwealth and/or State or Territory Health Authorities."
United Kingdom
DOM is a Class A drug in the United Kingdom under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
United States
DOM is Schedule I in the United States. This means it is illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, or distribute (make, trade, own or give) without a DEA license.
Research
DOM, along with DOET, was of interest in the potential treatment of psychiatric disorders such as depression in the 1960s.