5-MeO-DALT (N,N-diallyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a psychoactive substance, sold primarily over the Internet as a ‘research chemical’ or ‘plant food’. Although details for the synthesis of this tryptamine have been available since 2004, its use as a hallucinogenic drug has been reported only occasionally in on-line user fora. It is controlled in only a few countries world-wide. There is little scientifically-based literature on the pharmacological, physiological, psychopharmacological, toxicological and epidemiological characteristics of 5-MeO-DALT.

Here we review what is known about these aspects. We also report what we believe to be the first death involving the use of this substance. The case involved a man in his mid-20s who died in mid-2010. The coroner concluded that the deceased “died from injuries sustained after being hit by a lorry whilst under the influence of 5-MeODALT”. It is critical that any other cases, including non-fatal instances, are documented so that a scientific evidence-base can be established for this drug.

Classified as a novel psychoactive substance (NPS) by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 5-MeO-DALT is a hallucinogenic tryptamine that has reports of abuse in Europe and in the United States. This certified Snap-N-Spike® solution is suitable for a variety of GC/MS or LC/MS testing applications including for use in forensic analysis, urine drug testing, or clinical toxicology.
5-MeO-DALT or 5-methoxy-N, N-diallyltryptamine is a derivative of tryptamines, consumed for its hallucinogenic and entheogenic effects. We report the case of a 46-year-old-man, presenting with a brief loss of consciousness and visual hallucinations, after the consumption of three 5-MeO-DALT tablets bought online.

Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry method was performed, and 5-Meo-DALT was quantified in both the tablets (32.5 mg per tablet, 11% of purity) and the patient’s plasma (7 ng/mL—8 h between the consumption and the blood sample). 5-MeO-DALT poisonings are rarely described. Given the broad availability of these products, it is important that emergency department physicians and clinical toxicologists do not overlook the possibility of the ingestion of recreational tryptamines, especially since they are not detected by most routine toxicological screening.