Tryptamine
A chemical class of compounds derived from the amino acid tryptophan.
A tryptamine is any compound chemically derived from the amino acid tryptophan. The class is biologically widespread and includes both endogenous neurochemicals and exogenous psychoactive compounds.
Notable tryptamines include serotonin (the neurotransmitter), melatonin (the sleep-regulating hormone), psilocybin and psilocin (the active compounds in magic mushrooms), and DMT (found in many plants and synthesized briefly by the human body).
The shared chemical backbone of tryptamines — an indole ring connected to an amine group via a two-carbon chain — gives this family of compounds their characteristic affinity for serotonin receptors. The psychedelic tryptamines are particularly active at 5-HT2A receptors, which is why their psychological effects, while not identical, share recognizable structural features.