4-HO-NALT

Chemical compound

4-HO-NALT (4-hydroxy-N-allyl-N-methyltryptamine) is a psychedelic compound of the tryptamine class. It is structurally related to psilocin, the active component in psilocybin mushrooms.

Chemical structure and properties

4-HO-NALT chemical structure

4-HO-NALT is a synthetic tryptamine derivative. Its chemical structure consists of a tryptamine backbone with a hydroxy group at the 4-position and an N-allyl-N-methyl substitution on the amine. This structure is similar to other 4-hydroxytryptamines, such as 4-HO-DMT (psilocin), but with an allyl group replacing the dimethyl groups on the nitrogen.

The presence of the hydroxy group at the 4-position is believed to be crucial for its activity as a psychedelic, as it is in other 4-hydroxytryptamines. The allyl group may influence the compound's binding affinity and selectivity for various serotonin receptor subtypes, potentially altering its psychedelic effects compared to other tryptamines.

Pharmacology

4-HO-NALT is thought to act primarily as a partial agonist at the 5-HT2A receptor, which is the main target for classical psychedelics. The activation of this receptor is associated with the psychedelic effects experienced by users. However, detailed pharmacological studies on 4-HO-NALT are limited, and its receptor binding profile is not fully characterized.

Effects

The effects of 4-HO-NALT are largely anecdotal, as it has not been widely studied in humans. Users report effects similar to other psychedelics, including altered perception, visual hallucinations, and changes in thought processes. The duration and intensity of these effects can vary based on dosage, individual physiology, and environmental factors.

Synthesis

The synthesis of 4-HO-NALT involves the modification of the tryptamine core structure. Typically, this involves the introduction of the hydroxy group at the 4-position and the allyl and methyl groups on the nitrogen. The specific synthetic routes can vary, and detailed procedures are often proprietary or not publicly disclosed.

Legal status

The legal status of 4-HO-NALT varies by country. In some jurisdictions, it may be considered a controlled substance due to its structural similarity to other regulated tryptamines. In others, it may not be specifically scheduled, but could still be subject to analogue laws that regulate compounds with similar structures and effects to controlled substances.

Related compounds

Structures of related compounds

4-HO-NALT is part of a broader class of 4-hydroxytryptamines, which includes:

• 4-HO-DMT (psilocin)
• 4-HO-MET
• 4-HO-DET
• 4-HO-MiPT

These compounds share a common tryptamine backbone with variations in the substituents on the nitrogen and the 4-position, leading to differences in their pharmacological profiles and effects.

See also

• Tryptamine
• Psychedelic drug
• Serotonin receptor

Related pages

• Psilocybin mushrooms
• 5-HT2A receptor
• Psychedelic research