Drug Exposé: 5-MeO-DiPT
Foxy Methoxy, the raver's friend.
Ever had MDMA? How about 2-CB? If you’re a dance club lover, you might have come across these two party-enhancing drugs in your time, and maybe even got to know them a little bit. But for pleasure-seekers, club rats, and drug explorers, there’s another substance that gained prominence back in the day: 5-MeO-DiPT, colloquially known as Foxy or Foxy Methoxy.
In the late 90s and early 2000s, 5-MeO-DiPT earned a small cult following in the underground dance community as a sexual enhancer and was particularly favoured by youth and gay men as a club drug. It was often ordered online, as it only became illegal in the States in 2003.
Since then, it’s been a bit of an elusive designer drug, not often seen in the club scene but still consumed by experimenters and curious folk. Though now elusive, Foxy’s impact remains very much present, with even modern harm reduction websites listing it as a potential drug of choice.
5-MeO-DiPT has a very similar sibling called 5-MeO-MiPT, known as Moxy, which we’ll be covering later in our Drug Exposé series.
What is it?
5-MeO-DiPT, or 5-Methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine, is a psychedelic tryptamine, the methoxy derivative of diisopropyltryptamine. N,N-diisopropyltryptamine, or DiPT, is another psychedelic tryptamine that behaves differently than most other hallucinogenic drugs — instead of giving the user visual hallucinations, it offers largely auditory ones. In organic chemistry, a methoxy group is “the functional group consisting of a methyl group bound to oxygen.” A derivative is a new or previously existing compound that is obtained from another compound via a chemical reaction. Though similar in name and originating from DiPT, 5-MeO-DiPT is chemically and functionally different. Apparently, it’s one of the “most popular tryptamine hallucinogens in the illicit drug market.”
In 1975, famed psychedelic explorer and everybody’s favourite chemist, Alexander Shulgin, began his own experiments with DiPT, being the first person to ever do so. These experiments are documented in his and his wife Ann Shulgin’s 1997 book, TiKHAL.
How is it taken?
5-MeO-DiPT, or “Foxy,” is typically taken orally, either in capsule or pressed pill format, seen in a range of colours. The most common dose range seems to be between 6 and 20 mg and has been reported all the way up to 30 and even 100 mg (not recommended). When Shulgin was experimenting with it, his oral dose ranged from 6 - 12 mg. It can also be snorted, but this isn’t as common.
What does it feel like?
5-MeO-DiPT produces intense and powerful effects, which is likely a contributing factor to its popularity in the underground world. It’s a fan favourite of ravers looking for something other than ecstasy. DiPT’s effects are extremely euphoric, stimulating, erotic (“As a short term aphrodisiac, this leaves 2C-B in the dust,” reports Shulgin after a 7 mg oral dose), and come on very quickly, usually within the hour after consumption. It can help lower inhibitions and increase empathy.
5-MeO-DiPT offers no visuals, which can be a positive or a negative — it does create an altered state, but not necessarily one that could lead to any profound conclusions or spiritual work. The effects have been said to be similar to LSD at the 12 mg dose, but without as many visuals, though visual and auditory distortions have been reported and some people do claim that a high dose gives them very “beautiful” visual trips, especially if their eyes are closed. It can also tend to enhance music and sensitivity to sounds, making it a common choice in the club scene and a popular choice as a mimic of MDMA.
Similarities between 5-MeO-DiPT and 2C-B have also been noted, with users saying it very much echoes the eroticism that the latter is very much known for. The sexual component of the Foxy Methoxy seems to be its biggest seller.
Effects can last anywhere from four to eight hours, with many users on a moderate dose reporting they return to baseline after about four or five hours. The psychedelic “afterglow” is limited with DiPT, with other psychedelics having a much more noticeable one lasting for days or even weeks.
As far as physical sensations go, most people tend to report a bodily buzzing sensation or a feeling of energy moving through the body. A high dose can result in an unpleasant body load.
If you happen to be a rat, we’d recommend not interacting with 5-MeO-DiPT, as it is neurotoxic to them.
How do you get it and how much does it cost?
Like other drugs and compounds in the 5-MeO series and other tryptamines, 5-MeO-DiPT has been sold online as a research chemical. It can also be synthesized fairly easily and can be sold as a designer party drug. One website selling it as a research chemical had it listed for $221 USD for 1 ml. Another hobby chemist website had 1 gram for sale for €11.95. As always, if purchasing substances online, be careful and do a lot of research before buying and consuming.
Is it legal?
5-MeO-DiPT became illegal as a Schedule I substance under an “emergency scheduling order” in 2003. It is a controlled substance in China. It is illegal in Denmark, Germany, Greece, Japan, Singapore, and Sweden.
Bad trips & risks
At least one death can be attributed to an overdose of 5-MeO-DiPT after rectal consumption:
“The decedent (male A) was a 29-year-old male. The male A was a sexual partner of male B, who, in search of his sexual pleasure, injected an aqueous solution of 5-MeO-DIPT into the anus of male A using a dropper in a hotel room at approximately 21:00 h. Following the injection, male A developed abnormal symptoms including very intense agitation and was rushed to hospital. However, he died at about 00:30 h on the following day.” (Source)
This appears to have happened in Japan.
Another case study reports a 19-year-old male brought to the emergency department “following ingestion of a larger than his usual dose of Foxy. Upon arrival, he had hallucinations, hypertension, tachycardia, mydriasis, and catalepsy. Symptoms resolved within two hours after administration of lorazepam and he recovered uneventfully.”
One user on Reddit recounts an accidental near-overdose, which led to an incredibly long and intense trip which was described as “amazing” in the end, but really unintentional.
Foxy has also been anecdotally associated with serotonin syndrome.
Harm reduction
When experimenting with new drugs and substances, it’s important to prioritize your safety, even above your curiosity.
Don’t mix drugs
Experiment and do an allergy and reaction test with a small dose first
Do a lot of research so you know what dose you want to try and have an idea of what you’re getting yourself into
Consider having a trip sitter around you for your first time or let someone know what you’re doing
Make sure you’re in the right mindset and environmental setting
Test your substances to make sure the synthesis is pure and contains no potentially toxic or harmful additives
Only go for these obscure tryptamines if you already have a lot of prior psychedelic experience.
Know your dose, pay attention to research and instructions, and measure responsibly.
References & further reading
TiKHAL, Sasha and Ann Shulgin, 1997
A fatal poisoning with 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine, Foxy
Sex On The Edge, Playboy, 2003
5-MeO-DIPT, a Psychedelic Structurally Related to Psiloc(yb)in
Rhabdomyolysis After Ingestion of “Foxy,” a Hallucinogenic Tryptamine Derivative
Neurotoxic Effects of 5-MeO-DIPT: A Psychoactive Tryptamine Derivative in Rats
Sofie Mikhaylova is a psychedelics, pop culture, and travel writer, among other things. Her writing has appeared in Vice, leafie, Psychedelic Spotlight, The Washington Post, Fodor's Travel, Double Dot Magazine, and more. Find her on Instagram, her newsletter Sofieland, her podcast Sofieland, and her website.
Do you sell it or you know where can buy it? Thanks