2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine: Clinical evaluation of a new hallucinogenic drug

2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM) was identified by the Food and Drug Administration in samples of STP. Initial reports in the news media indicated that this compound produced prolonged hallucinogenic effects. This study evaluated some of the psychological and physical effects of low doses of DOM. Twelve healthy subjects, normal male graduate students, were admitted to the Medical Research Ward of The Johns Hopkins Hospital. In a double blind design six received tap water placebo and six received the active compound DOM. Subjects were administered a series of physiological and psychological tests. Anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive and somatic symptoms were measured. In addition, the occurrence of euphoria, dysphoria, and LSD-like symptoms were monitored. The scales used were a symptom questionnaire, consisting of 240 items, and the symptom check list, consisting of 64 items. There were no marked physiological changes in pulse rate, blood pressure, oral temperature, or pupillary diameter. The symptom check list indicated that there were significant differences between the placebo group and the drug group. The drug group scored significantly higher on the anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and somatic scales. The symptom questionnaire also indicated significantly increased scores for the drug group on the LSD-like symptoms and euphoria and dysphoria scales. The data from this study indicated that low doses of DOM produced significantly increased feelings of anxiety, euphoria, dysphoria, with somatic and LSD-like symptoms when compared to the control group. The drug did not produce any marked changes in blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature, or pupillary diameter.