What is 4-AcO-MET?

4-Acetoxy-N-ethyl-N-methyltryptamine (also known as 4-AcO-MET, Metacetin, and Azomet) is a lesser-known novel psychedelic substance of tryptamine class. Members of this group produce psilocybin-like psychedelic effects when administered. It is structurally related to psychedelic tryptamines like 4-AcO-DMT, 4-AcO-DET, and 4-AcO-MiPT.

4-AcO-MET is closely related in structure to 4-HO-MET, for which it is theorized to act as a prodrug.

4-AcO-MET is occasionally found in pressed pill which are sold on the streets in northern Switzerland under the name “Acomet” or “Azomet”.

Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of 4-AcO-MET, and it has little history of human usage. It is sold as a research chemical online. It is highly advised to use harm reduction practices if using this substance.

Chemical Properties 4-AcO-MET 

4-AcO-MET or 4-Acetoxy-N-methyl-N-ethyltryptamine is a synthetic indole alkaloid molecule of the tryptamine class. Tryptamines share a core structure comprised of a bicyclic indole heterocycle attached at R3 to an amino group via an ethyl side chain. 4-AcO-MET is substituted at R4 of its indole heterocycle with an acetoxy (AcO) functional group CH3COO−. It also contains a methyl group and an ethyl chain bound to the terminal amine RN of its tryptamine backbone (MET). 4-AcO-MET is an acetate ester analog of 4-HO-MET and the N-substituted ethyl homolog of 4-AcO-DMT.

Pharmacological effects of 4-AcO-MET

4-AcO-MET’s psychedelic effects are believed to come from its efficacy at the 5-HT2A receptor as a partial agonist. However, the role of these interactions and how they result in the psychedelic experience continues to remain elusive.

It is also hypothesized that this compound is quickly hydrolyzed into the free phenolic 4-HO-MET, although human studies concerning the metabolic fate of this drug are lacking. This would explain a somewhat similar experience in their subjective effects. This is similar to how 4-AcO-DMT is thought to be deacetylated to 4-HO-DMT during first pass metabolism and subsequent passes through the liver.

Some of the most commonly reported effects are:

• Sedation
• Spontaneous physical sensations
• Changes in felt bodily form
• Analysis enhancement
• Conceptual thinking
• Delusion
• Autonomous voice communication
• Ego death
• Emotion enhancement
• Perception of interdependent opposites
• Immersion enhancement
• Increased music appreciation
• Memory suppression
• Novelty enhancement
• Personal bias suppression
• Thought acceleration
• Thought connectivity
• Thought loops
• Time distortion
• Unity and interconnectedness
• Wakefulness
• Enhancements
• Distortions
• Hallucinations
• Colour enhancement
• Pattern recognition enhancement
• Visual acuity enhancement
• Distortions
• Drifting.
• After images
• Colour shifting
• Environmental patterning
• Scenery slicing
• Symmetrical texture repetition
• Tracers
• Transformations
• Internal hallucination

Potential Side Effects

• Muscle contractions
• Muscle relaxation
• Excessive yawning
• Watery eyes
• Olfactory hallucination
• Pupil dilation
• Runny nose
• Increased salivation
• Teeth grinding
• Nausea

Legality

4-AcO-DMT is classified as illegal in:

• Germany
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom