N-(2-Cyanoethyl)tryptamine (CE-T) is a serotonin receptor modulator and possible psychedelic drug of the tryptamine family related to tryptamine (T).[1][2][3][4] It is the N-(2-cyanoethyl) derivative of tryptamine.[1][2][3][4]

The drug acts as a prodrug of tryptamine and hence is a non-selective serotonin receptor agonist and monoamine releasing agent similarly.[1][2][3][4] It shows greatly sustained tryptamine levels and neurochemical effects in rodents compared to tryptamine itself however.[3][1][4][2] Peak levels of tryptamine with CE-T in the brain were lower than tryptamine itself, whereas total exposure to tryptamine with CE-T in the brain was no different than with tryptamine itself in rodents.[3] CE-T alters brain serotonin and dopamine levels similarly to tryptamine, whereas both drugs have limited effects on brain norepinephrine levels.[3] It produces hypolocomotion in rodents similarly to the combination of tryptamine with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).[4] However, whereas tryptamine was unable to produce hypolocomotion without an MAOI, CE-T showed hypolocomotion regardless of whether the MAOI clorgiline was co-administered.[4]

CE-T was first described in the scientific literature by 1985.[2][3][1][4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Baker GB, Coutts RT, Rao TS, Hall TW, Micetich RG (1988). "Prodrugs of β-Phenylethylamine and Tryptamine: Studies in the Rat". Trace Amines. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press. pp. 321–334. doi:10.1007/978-1-4612-4602-2_30. ISBN 978-1-4612-8945-6. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Coutts RT, Baker GB, Nazarali AJ, Rao TS, Micetich RG, Hall TW (1985). "Prodrugs of Trace Amines". Neuropsychopharmacology of the Trace Amines. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press. pp. 175–180. doi:10.1007/978-1-4612-5010-4_15. ISBN 978-1-4612-9397-2. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Baker GB, Rao TS, Coutts RT (1987). "Neurochemical and neuropharmacological investigation of N-cyanoethyltryptamine, a potential prodrug of tryptamine". Proceedings of the Western Pharmacology Society. 30: 307–311. PMID 3628296.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Greenshaw AJ (1989). "Functional interactions of 2-phenylethylamine and of tryptamine with brain catecholamines: implications for psychotherapeutic drug action". Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry. 13 (3–4): 431–443. doi:10.1016/0278-5846(89)90131-0. PMID 2664894. In the case of PEA and T both N-monopropargyl- and N-2-cyanoethyl- analogues have proved to be pharmacokinetically advantageous: leading to more sustained availability of either PEA or T after injection of the prodrug relative to the respective amine (see Baker et al., 1988). In the case of prodrugs of T only the behavioural effects of a 2-cyanoethyl- analogue have so far been assessed. Over a range of doses CET resulted in decreases in locomotor activity similar to those observed when T is administered in combination with a MAO inhibitor. It is of interest that the effects of CET are not potentiated by MAO inhibition under conditions whereby T catabolism is inhibited (see Table 5) (Mousseau et al., in preparation). Although no reversal of the depressant effects of CET was observed, and no N-propargyl analogue has yet been assessed, the possibility that amine interactions may again be responsible is being addressed at this time. [...] Table 5: Locomotor activity expressed as a percentage of control following administration of T or of CET with and without clorgyline pretreatment. Whereas the effects of T were only evident after clorgyline-induced MAO inhibition (A), the effects of CET were not significantly changed by this treatment (B, C). (From Mousseau et al., in preparation). [...]
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N-(2-Cyanoethyl)tryptamine