2,5-Dimethoxy-4-nitroamphetamine (DON) is a

psychedelic drug Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary mental states (known as psychedelic experiences or "trips") and a perceived "expansion of consciousness". Also referred to as classic halluc ...

and

amphetamine Amphetamine (contracted from Alpha and beta carbon, alpha-methylphenethylamine, methylphenethylamine) is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, an ...

. It is an

analog Analog or analogue may refer to: Computing and electronics * Analog signal, in which information is encoded in a continuous variable ** Analog device, an apparatus that operates on analog signals *** Analog electronics, circuits which use analog ...

ue of DOM and

DOB DOB or Dob often refers to date of birth. DOB or Dob may also refer to: Biochemistry * 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromoamphetamine, Bromo-DMA, a psychedelic drug ** Meta-DOB, related substance ** Methyl-DOB, related substance * HLA-DOB, human gene Organiz ...

. It is also closely related to

2C-N 2C-N, also known as 2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitrophenethylamine, is a psychedelic phenethylamine of the 2C family. It was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin. Use Shulgin, in his book ''PiHKAL'', as well as other sources, list the dosage range as ...

. The drug is a

serotonin Serotonin (), also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a monoamine neurotransmitter with a wide range of functions in both the central nervous system (CNS) and also peripheral tissues. It is involved in mood, cognition, reward, learning, ...

5-HT₂ receptor

agonist An agonist is a chemical that activates a Receptor (biochemistry), receptor to produce a biological response. Receptors are Cell (biology), cellular proteins whose activation causes the cell to modify what it is currently doing. In contrast, an R ...

Use and effects

In his book ''

PiHKAL ''PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story'' is a book by Alexander Shulgin and Ann Shulgin published in 1991. The subject of the work is Psychoactive drug, psychoactive phenethylamine Derivative (chemistry), chemical derivatives, notably those that act ...

'',

Alexander Shulgin Alexander Theodore "Sasha" Shulgin (June 17, 1925 – June 2, 2014) was an American biochemist, broad researcher of synthetic psychoactive compounds, and author of works regarding these, who independently explored the organic chemistry and ph ...

lists a dosage of DON as being 3 to 4.5mg orally with amphetamine-like stimulation and mild

psychedelic Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary mental states (known as psychedelic experiences or "trips") and a perceived "expansion of consciousness". Also referred to as classic halluci ...

effects lasting 8 to 15hours.DON Entry in PiHKAL
/ref>

Pharmacology

DON acts as a

5-HT_2A and 5-HT_2C receptor

partial agonist In pharmacology, partial agonists are drugs that bind to and activate a given Receptor (biochemistry), receptor, but have only partial Intrinsic activity, efficacy at the receptor relative to a full agonist. They may also be considered Ligand (bio ...

, albeit with far lower

potency Potency may refer to: * Potency (pharmacology), a measure of the activity of a drug in a biological system * Virility * Cell potency, a measure of the differentiation potential of stem cells * In homeopathic dilutions, potency is a measure of ho ...

and

efficacy Efficacy is the ability to perform a task to a satisfactory or expected degree. The word comes from the same roots as '' effectiveness'', and it has often been used synonymously, although in pharmacology a distinction is now often made betwee ...

than other DOx drugs. It is also a serotonin 5-HT_2B receptor

. Earlier studies have also reported its affinities at

serotonin receptor 5-HT receptors, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors, or serotonin receptors, are a group of G protein-coupled receptor and ligand-gated ion channels found in multiple tissues including the central and peripheral nervous systems. They mediate both ex ...

s, including the serotonin 5-HT₂ and 5-HT₁ receptors. The drug produces the

head-twitch response The head-twitch response (HTR), also sometimes known as wet dog shakes (WDS) in rats, is a rapid side-to-side head movement that occurs in mice and rats in association with serotonin 5-HT2A receptor activation. Serotonergic psychedelics like lys ...

, a behavioral proxy of

-like effects, in rodents.

Chemistry

DON is in a class of compounds commonly known as α-

methyl In organic chemistry, a methyl group is an alkyl derived from methane, containing one carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms, having chemical formula (whereas normal methane has the formula ). In formulas, the group is often abbreviated as ...

phenethylamine Phenethylamine (PEA) is an organic compound, natural monoamine alkaloid, and trace amine, which acts as a central nervous system stimulant in humans. In the brain, phenethylamine regulates monoamine neurotransmission by binding to trace ami ...

s, or

s and the full chemical name is 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitrophenyl)propan-2-amine. It has a

stereocenter In stereochemistry, a stereocenter of a molecule is an atom (center), axis or plane that is the focus of stereoisomerism; that is, when having at least three different groups bound to the stereocenter, interchanging any two different groups cr ...

Society and culture

Legal status

DON is unscheduled in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

, but because of its close similarity in structure and effects to DOM and

, possession and sale of DON may be subject to prosecution under the

Federal Analog Act The Federal Analogue Act, , is a section of the United States Controlled Substances Act passed in 1986 which allows any chemical "substantially similar" to a controlled substance listed in Schedule I or II to be treated as if it were listed ...

. DON is listed as a Class A drug in the

Drugs controlled by the UK Misuse of Drugs Act The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (c. 38) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It represents action in line with treaty commitments under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the Un ...

after the table of contents of ''PiHKAL'' and ''

TiHKAL ''TiHKAL: The Continuation'' is a 1997 book written by Alexander Shulgin and Ann Shulgin about a family of psychoactive drugs known as tryptamines. A sequel to '' PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story'', ''TiHKAL'' is an acronym that stands for "Trypt ...

'' were added to the schedules.

References

External links

DON - Isomer Design

DON Experience Reports - Erowid

DON - PiHKAL - Erowid

DON - PiHKAL - Isomer Design

DON: A Tricky Psychedelic That’s Hard to Handle - Tripsitter
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dimethoxy-4-nitroamphetamine, 2,5- 5-HT2A agonists 5-HT2B agonists 5-HT2C agonists Designer drugs DOx (psychedelics) Nitrobenzene derivatives