DOPR: Why It’s Wise to Avoid This Shulgin Psychedelic

What is DOPR?

DOPR (2,5-Dimethoxy-4-propylamphetamine) was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin sometime in the early 2000s.

This compound is classified as a psychedelic amphetamine. More specifically, it’s a member of the DOx sub-family.

Like other DOX compounds, DOPR is a potent and very long-lasting compound, capable of producing both intense psychedelic effects and a powerful “body high.”

Shulgin himself described DOPR as a “heavy-duty psychedelic” that could significantly alter the thought process and bring on visual distortions.

As a class, DOX compounds are understudied, but DOPR is particularly mysterious. There is almost no peer-reviewed research on it, and even subjective self-assessments found online are relatively scant.

Here’s what we know about it so far.

DOPR Specs

Chemical Name	2,5-Dimethoxy-4-propylamphetamine
Level of Risk	Moderate
Other Names	DOPR
Most Common Side Effects	Excessive body load: nausea, uncomfortable sensations, etc.
Duration of Effects	20 to 30 hours
Estimated Threshold Dose	1.5 mg
Common Dose	2.5 to 3.5 mg
Legality/Status	Research Chemical
PubChem ID:	542051
CAS#	63779-88-4

Tripsitter Safe DOPR Guidelines

• 🐍 I understand why psychedelics should be treated with respect
• ⚖️ I’m familiar with the laws for DOPR in my country & state
• 🍄 I’m familiar with and confident in the dose I’m taking
• 🧪 I’ve tested a sample of the substance I’m using with a drug-testing kit
• 💊 I’m not mixing any medications or other substances with DOPR
• 🏔 I’m in a safe & comfortable environment with people I trust
• 🐺 One of the members of my group is responsible and sober (AKA a trip sitter)
• ⏳ I have nothing important scheduled for after the trip
• 🧠 I’m in a sound & healthy state of mind
• ❤️ I don’t have any underlying health issues — don’t take DOPR if you have underlying heart, neurological, or psychiatric disorders
• 👭 Use the buddy system — DOPR can remove your inhibition and allow you to make unsafe decisions, always stay with people you trust, and never go out alone
• 🌵 I understand the risk of dehydration — it’s easy to become dehydrated on DOPR, so make sure you’re drinking a cup of water every hour while using DOPR
• 🦻 Protect your hearing — music can be intoxicating while on ​​DOPR, but protect your hearing and bring ear protection before you go out to a club or concert

How Does DOPR Work?

Although there can be considerable diversity in their biological mechanics, all substituted amphetamines work through their effects on the body’s neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters are chemical substances used by the brain to carry out a wide swathe of bodily functions. The different neurotransmitters all have their associated receptors and are largely linked to their own “realm” of activity. For instance, dopamine has been associated with stimulating feelings of pleasure and has been associated with the creation of habits and addictions.

Regrettably, no studies directly attempt to understand the mechanisms used by DOPR, but we can still speculate based on what we know.

Other psychedelic DOx compounds have been found to act as partial agonists to serotonin receptors. This means that, through the inhibition of the reuptake process, they increase the amount of serotonin molecules in the brain and thus increase serotonin neurotransmission. It is quite likely that DOPR utilizes this basic pathway as well.

It is important to understand that serotonin is a complex molecule and is associated with a large number of receptor subtypes. DOx compounds have been found to be almost exclusively serotonergic — meaning they have little to no action at other receptors — but are also limited to the 5-HT2 receptor subtype, which is made composed of three receptors: 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C.

Due to the study of more popular psychedelic compounds like psilocybin and LSD, we know the 5-HT2A receptor is primarily responsible for the creation of the psychedelic response in the body, although the specific mechanisms by which psychedelia is produced remain unknown. However, this does not mean that the 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C receptors are not important in mediating the ultimate effects produced by DOPR.

It is highly probable that DOPR is also a partial agonist for the 5-HT2 serotonin subtype. The presence of secondary mechanisms is also possible but not confirmed at the moment.

The poor state of research when it comes to DOx compounds and designer drugs, in general, means that details on pharmacology are usually scant. Researchers may be able to identify the primary neurotransmitters at work but not much more. The presence of secondary mechanisms and other complicating factors can be identified, but there is always much doubt as to how these contribute to the drug’s overall pharmacology.

What Are The Effects of DOPR?

The only human data that are available when it comes to the effects of DOPR are subjective self-assessments found in online drug forums. Mining these forums for information is admittedly lacking in scientific objectivity, but it’s the only resource available when it comes to the incredibly diverse world of designer drugs.

The speed with which new compounds arrive on the market is simply too much for researchers, who just can’t keep up.

The lack of lab data means that even researchers have made use of these drug forums. It isn’t uncommon to find studies that are basically just systematic dissections of these posts. The information is highly subjective, but, in general, it is still useful enough to sketch out the broad contours that make up each drug’s individual profile and how they differ from each other.

The general conclusions surrounding DOPR seem to be in line with that of other DOX compounds. However, it does appear to have more of a proclivity to produce physical side effects and is more long-lasting than other drugs in its class.

It’s extremely important to remember that people who post on these forums are usually seasoned recreational drug users with plenty of experience. What is “normal” and “manageable” for them could be something completely different to others with less experience.

In terms of pharmacokinetics, the onset of effects for DOPR could be anywhere between 90 to 240 minutes, while the duration of effects can be as long as 20 to 20 hours.

Here’s a sample of the trip reports currently available for DOPR:

User-Report #1

DOPR is a marathon of a drug. The duration is of course the most easily remarked upon aspect of the experience. It is long, phenomenally long. It was long to the point where one can get used to it, adapt to it, hardly notice that its there. Almost to say that it lends itself to stagnation and forgettability. But it is difficult for so long an experience to remain consistently novel.”

User-Report #2

For physical effects, moderate stimulation — a constant mental buzz with a manageable degree of physical stimulation, while there was restless legs and physical discomfort at times, at other times I was able to lie down comfortable and almost doze off into an unawares sleep-like state.”

User-Report #3

DOPR left me feeling gently and neutrally still, in stark contrast to the overclocked stimulation other phenethylamines carry. There was some bodyload in a feeling of nausea that persisted throughout the experience, though it wasn’t bad enough to suppress appetite and could often be ignored. At a few points during the comeup however, it would swell and near a point of vomiting.”

Is DOPR Addictive?

Even though DOPR is an amphetamine drug, it cannot be considered addictive. It’s true that psychological addiction could technically still happen, but that can also be true with basically any psychoactive drug.

In general, psychedelic compounds have not been found to produce habit-forming behaviors. In fact, psychedelics seem to be incredibly self-regulating. After engaging in some form of “tripping,” most users will typically desire to wait a while before consuming psychedelics again.

Psychedelic compounds do create a fast-acting tolerance, though. This means that if a user were to consume a lot of psychedelics in quick succession, they would have to keep increasing the dose to register the same level of effects.

Is DOPR Safe? Risks & Side Effects

Psychedelic compounds are some of the safest drugs when it comes to their effects on human physiology. Compared with empathogenic, stimulant, and depressive substances, they are much less prone to cause severe health events. However, consuming psychedelics is not free of risk.

The inherent loss of control and unpredictable cognitive effects that come with a psychedelic experience could lead users to danger in several different ways. An urban legend often cited by worried parents goes something like this: I once knew of a kid who did magic mushrooms, and he jumped out of a window thinking he could fly. This story is likely not a true event, but there is truth in what it’s trying to communicate. Events of that nature are not unheard of.

In order to ward psychedelic users from dangerous behavior, every trip should have its designated “trip sitter,” a person whose job it is to remain sober and capable of help in the case of any emergency.

Besides a trip sitter, veteran psychedelic users always emphasize the importance of having a good state of mind. Psychedelic experiences tend to amplify the mental head space a user is in at the time, which means that people going through tough times are more predisposed to have a bad psychedelic experience, also known as a “bad trip.”

Psychedelic experiences should be approached with positive emotions. It’s normal to feel a little nervous, especially if it’s your first time, but users should strive to maintain a positive outlook and avoid thoughts that might make them anxious.

For these reasons, users must also be mindful of where they’re tripping and who they’re tripping with. Psychedelic experiences can quickly become unpleasant if a user finds themselves in a place where they do not feel safe and comfortable. It’s a good idea to start a trip in a private environment, like your own house or backyard, and to move to a public area only once a user feels they have the psychedelic effects under control.

Tripping with people you know and are comfortable with is also essential. Many times psychedelic users feel anxious around strangers and will often feel the need to downplay what they’re feeling in an effort to look like they’re under control. This situation is rarely pleasant. When using psychedelics, it’s important to surround yourself with people you can be honest with.

DOPR Dosage

The estimated (oral) dosing values for DOPR break down as follows:

Threshold	1.25 mg
Light	2.5 mg
Common	2.5 to 3.5 mg
Heavy	3.5 to 5 mg

Remember: all formulaic dosage prescriptions should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism. Generalized dosing averages can never take into account the myriad factors that influence dosage, like body mass, tolerance, method of administration, sensitivity, etc.

DOPR Drug Interactions

Watch out for these drug combinations when using psychedelics:

1. Serotonergic Drugs

Other serotonergic drugs like MDMA and certain types of antidepressants may cause an excessive level of serotonin within the brain. This situation may lead to a potentially life-threatening condition known as serotonin syndrome.

2. Lithium

Lithium, commonly prescribed for the treatment of bipolar disorder, is known to increase the risk of psychosis and seizures when used in a concomitant fashion with psychedelics.

3. Cannabis

When used in combination with drugs like MDMA and psychedelics, users often report that cannabis has the effect of potentiating the subjective potency of the other drug. This could be the desired effect a user is looking for, but it might also bring on overwhelming effects that are often accompanied by anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and even psychosis.

4. Other Psychostimulants

Stimulants like amphetamine, cocaine, or methylphenidate affect many parts of the brain and alter dopaminergic function. This combination can increase the risk of anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and thought loops. This interaction may also result in an elevated risk of mania and psychosis.

5. Tramadol

Tramadol is well-documented to lower the seizure threshold, and psychedelics may act to trigger seizures in susceptible individuals.

Final Thoughts: DOPR

The small amount of data available on DOPR is not sufficient to adequately sketch out its individual profile. We can say with relative certainty that it does appear to have a higher incidence of physical side effects, also known as “body load,” and that it’s one of the most long-lasting drugs in its class.

But when it comes to differentiating the little particularities of its psychedelic effects, we’re still largely at a loss.

In any case, it’s without a doubt an incredibly potent psychedelic and should always be approached with caution.