The recreational tryptamine 5-MeO-DALT (N,N-diallyl-5-methoxytryptamine): A brief review

5-MeO-DALT (N,N-diallyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a psychoactive substance, sold primarily over the Internet as a ‘research chemical’ or ‘plant food’. Although details for the synthesis of this tryptamine have been available since 2004, its use as a hallucinogenic drug has been reported only occasionally in on-line user fora. It is controlled in only a few countries world-wide. There is little scientifically-based literature on the pharmacological, physiological, psychopharmacological, toxicological and epidemiological characteristics of 5-MeO-DALT. Here we review what is known about these aspects. We also report what we believe to be the first death involving the use of this substance. The case involved a man in his mid-20s who died in mid-2010. The coroner concluded that the deceased “died from injuries sustained after being hit by a lorry whilst under the influence of 5-MeODALT”. It is critical that any other cases, including non-fatal instances, are documented so that a scientific evidence-base can be established for this drug. ► 5-MeO-DALT is a psychoactive substance sold as a ‘research chemical’. ► Use as a hallucinogenic is reported by user fora; it can affect risk assessment. ► Scant scientific literature on physical effects, psychopharmacology, toxicology. ► Victim died from injuries sustained when hit by a vehicle whilst under its influence. ► Any (non-) fatal cases need documenting to establish scientific evidence-base.