DOM

DOM, also known as STP or 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine, is a synthetic psychedelic amphetamine in the DOx family. It has methoxy groups at the 2- and 5-positions of the phenyl ring and a methyl group at the 4-position. DOM acts primarily through serotonin receptors and is known for a long-lasting psychedelic effect. Its history includes early human experiments in the 1960s and a widely reported episode of unexpectedly prolonged intoxication in San Francisco in 1967.

History and chemistry

DOM was developed during the exploration of substituted phenethylamines and amphetamines in the 1960s. The name STP was used in the early recreational market and was expanded as “Serenity, Tranquility, and Peace”. The compound is the alpha-methylated analogue of the 2C phenethylamine family and belongs to the DOx group, alongside DOB, DOC and DOI.

In 1967, DOM appeared in the Haight-Ashbury area under the name STP. Some early tablets contained more material than users expected, and the compound’s slow onset and long duration contributed to reports of people remaining intoxicated for an extended period. The episode became part of the early history of psychedelic drug monitoring.

Pharmacology

DOM is a serotonergic psychedelic whose effects are mediated mainly through 5-HT_2A receptor agonism. It also interacts with 5-HT_2C receptors. Its alpha-methyl group distinguishes it from the corresponding phenethylamine and contributes to the longer action associated with the DOx series.

Early human research confirmed hallucinogenic effects in healthy volunteers. A 1967 clinical study reported that DOM produced mild euphoria at lower exposure and pronounced hallucinogenic effects at higher exposure, with effects lasting for several hours (Snyder, Faillace and Hollister, 1967).

More recent reviews place DOM among the long-acting psychedelic amphetamines. Its main metabolic pathways include O-demethylation and hydroxylation of the benzylic methyl group, with CYP2D6 contributing to metabolism across the DOx series (Short- and long-acting psychedelics: pharmacology and structure–activity relationships, 2026).

Subjective effects

The PsychonautWiki profile of DOM describes a psychedelic experience with pronounced perceptual and cognitive changes. Historical human observations and later reports describe a gradual onset followed by a long period of altered perception. Subjective impressions alone can make the course difficult to predict.

Visual and sensory effects

Reported visual effects include geometric patterns, intensified colours, movement distortions and changes in depth or perspective. Some accounts describe detailed closed-eye imagery and changes in the apparent texture of surfaces. Auditory and tactile perception may also feel altered.

Cognitive and emotional effects

Changes in thought organisation, time perception and emotional intensity are commonly described. Euphoria and increased alertness may occur, but anxiety, confusion, thought loops and paranoia are also reported. The extended duration can make an uncomfortable experience feel difficult to escape.

Physical effects

Reported physical effects include stimulation, increased heart rate, muscle tension, nausea and difficulty sleeping. Vasoconstriction has been described with members of the DOx family, although the clinical significance and frequency of this effect vary between compounds and reports.

Clinical toxicity and research limitations

DOM has a longer history of human observation than many newer psychedelics, but modern clinical safety data remain limited. Early reports and historical accounts describe prolonged psychological effects and episodes of severe distress. There is no contemporary clinical evidence that defines the risks of repeated exposure or long-term use.

Reviews of the DOx family note that the long duration of action can complicate clinical management. The available human literature is not sufficient to establish a precise concentration-toxicity relationship or a reliable account of chronic toxicity and dependence potential (Novel Psychoactive Substances, 2nd edition: DOx compounds).

Related compounds

DOM is related to DOB, DOC, DOI and TMA-2. It is also structurally related to the 2C phenethylamines, but its alpha-methyl group places it in the psychedelic amphetamine family.