4-Hydroxy-N-methyl-N-ethyltryptamine (also known as colour, methylcybin, metocin, and 4-HO-MET) is a lesser-known novel psychedelic substance of the tryptamine class. 4-HO-MET is structurally related to psilocin, the active ingredient in psilocybin mushrooms (“magic mushrooms”). It is thought to produce its effects by binding to serotonin receptors in the brain.
4-HO-MET was first synthesized by the American chemist Alexander Shulgin, who documented it in his 1997 book TiHKAL (“Tryptamines I Have Known and Loved”). Reports of human use began to surface in the late 2000s, following its appearance on the online research chemical market. It has been sold alongside other psilocybin analogues such as 4-AcO-DMT and 4-HO-MiPT.
NDEWS March 31, 2023 Briefing: Online Mentions
What was found? 4-HO-MET has shown consistently high activity in online drug-related subreddit discussions for the past three years. The observed mention-to-commenter ratio implies a small but very active community.
How is 4-HO-MET being discussed? 4-HO-MET is often mentioned with other synthetic psychedelics such as other tryptamines and 2-CB. Discussion of the drug is generally positive, with many commenters perceiving the drug as being relatively safe to consume; effects are described as intense and with a short duration. Commenters warn against taking the drug unsupervised; in some cases the drug can lead to psychosis or other “trance-like” symptoms.
Drug Terms: 4-HO-MET, Metocin, Methylcybin, 4HO, Colour
NDEWS March 21, 2024 Briefing: Online Mentions
What was found? 4-HO-MET has had a consistent increase in discussion since February 2024. The substance was previously reported by the web monitoring team in late March 2023.
How is it being discussed? 4-HO-MET is often mentioned with other synthetic psychedelics such as other tryptamines and 2-CB. Commenters warn against taking the drug unsupervised; in some cases, the drug can lead to psychosis or other “trance-like” symptoms.