Natural Sources of Tryptamines

November 24, 2025 •

3 min read

Tryptamine is a monoamine alkaloid found in trace amounts in the brains of mammals and widely distributed in nature. The molecule forms the backbone for many biologically active compounds, leading to a diverse range of natural sources for tryptamines across plants, fungi, and animals.

Quick Summary

Tryptamines exist naturally across diverse biological kingdoms. They are found in numerous plants, psychedelic fungi like 'magic mushrooms', and even some animals. Common examples include DMT from certain plants, psilocybin from fungi, and bufotenine from toads, with functions ranging from neurotransmitters to psychoactive compounds.

Key Points

Plants are a major source: Many plants, like Psychotria viridis and Mimosa tenuiflora, produce significant amounts of psychoactive tryptamines, including DMT.
Magic mushrooms contain tryptamines: Psychedelic fungi in the genus Psilocybe are well-known for producing psilocybin and psilocin.
Animals also produce tryptamines: Certain toads, like the Colorado River toad, secrete psychoactive tryptamines (5-MeO-DMT, bufotenine) from their glands.
Human body produces its own: Key endogenous tryptamines include the neurotransmitter serotonin and the hormone melatonin, vital for mood and sleep regulation.
Common foods contain precursors: The essential amino acid tryptophan, found in foods like eggs, fish, and nuts, is a precursor for the body's own tryptamine production.
Ayahuasca combines plant sources: This psychoactive brew is made from a blend of a DMT-containing plant (Psychotria viridis) and an MAOI-containing vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) for oral activation.
Gut bacteria contribute to production: Commensal bacteria in the human gastrointestinal tract can produce tryptamine from dietary tryptophan, influencing gut motility.

Plant-Based Sources of Tryptamines

Plants are significant natural sources of tryptamines, with various species containing these compounds in their leaves, bark, or seeds. Historically, many of these plants have been utilized in traditional medicine and spiritual practices.

Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in Plants

DMT, a powerful psychedelic tryptamine, is present in numerous plant species globally. Key examples include Psychotria viridis and Mimosa tenuiflora, both used in traditional preparations like ayahuasca. Other plants containing DMT and related compounds include Diplopterys cabrerana, Virola species (often used for hallucinogenic snuffs), and certain Acacia and Anadenanthera species.

Other Tryptamines in Plants

Beyond DMT, plants offer other notable tryptamine derivatives. Lysergic Acid Amide (LSA) is found in seeds of morning glory and Hawaiian baby woodrose. Mitragynine, with a tryptamine-like structure, is present in kratom leaves. The Banisteriopsis caapi vine, another ayahuasca component, contains harmala alkaloids, which are MAO inhibitors that make orally ingested DMT active.

Fungal and Animal-Based Sources of Tryptamines

Tryptamines are also found in specific fungi and animals, fulfilling various biological roles.

Tryptamines from Fungi

Psychedelic fungi, commonly known as "magic mushrooms," are well-known sources of tryptamines, particularly psilocybin and its active metabolite, psilocin. Over 180 fungal species produce these compounds, including popular genera like Psilocybe (e.g., Psilocybe cubensis), Panaeolus, Stropharia, and Gymnopilus. Other related tryptamines like baeocystin and norbaeocystin are also present in some species.

Tryptamines from Animals

Certain animals produce tryptamines. Bufotenine (5-HO-DMT) is found in the skin and eggs of toads like the Colorado River toad (Incilius alvarius) and is also present in some plants. The Colorado River toad's venom also contains the potent psychedelic 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT). Mammals, including humans, naturally produce endogenous tryptamines such as the neurotransmitter serotonin and the hormone melatonin, which regulate mood, sleep, and appetite.

Comparison of Natural Tryptamine Sources


Source Category	Key Tryptamines	Representative Examples	Common Use/Function
Plants	DMT, LSA, Mitragynine, Harmala alkaloids	Psychotria viridis, Morning Glory, Kratom	Psychoactive brews, ritual use, traditional medicine, dietary source
Fungi	Psilocybin, Psilocin, Baeocystin	Psilocybe cubensis, Panaeolus species	Spiritual and recreational use, therapeutic research
Animals	Bufotenine, 5-MeO-DMT, Serotonin, Melatonin	Incilius alvarius (toad), mammals	Psychoactive venom, neurotransmission, sleep regulation
Food & Microbiome	Tryptamine, Tryptophan	Tomatoes, cheese, gut bacteria	Precursor to serotonin, regulating gut motility

The Role of Natural Tryptamines in Biological Systems

Natural tryptamines serve diverse biological roles, extending beyond their psychoactive properties. The essential amino acid tryptophan, a precursor to many tryptamines, is abundant in foods like fish and eggs. Gut bacteria can convert dietary tryptophan into tryptamine, which influences gut motility by activating serotonin receptors. Endogenous tryptamines like serotonin and melatonin are crucial for neurological processes and circadian rhythms in mammals. Some plants may utilize tryptamines as natural defenses. The psychoactive effects of compounds like DMT and psilocybin arise from their ability to interact with serotonin receptors, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor.

Conclusion: A Diverse and Widespread Family

The presence of natural tryptamines is widespread across the biological kingdoms of plants, fungi, and animals. These indole-based compounds play varied roles, from powerful psychoactive substances used in rituals for centuries to essential neurotransmitters governing daily functions. Investigating these natural origins provides valuable insights into human history and the intricate biochemistry of nature. Regardless of their source, tryptamines exhibit remarkable diversity in both their origins and biological functions. Ongoing scientific research into these compounds, encompassing both potent psychedelics and vital neurotransmitters, continues to reveal their potential therapeutic benefits and overall biological importance.

Psychoactive plants containing tryptamines

Frequently Asked Questions

Plant-based tryptamines, like DMT and psilocybin, are compounds produced by plants and fungi. Endogenous tryptamines, such as serotonin and melatonin, are naturally produced within the human body from the amino acid tryptophan and function as neurotransmitters or hormones.

No, not all natural tryptamines are psychoactive. While compounds like psilocybin and DMT are well-known psychedelics, others like serotonin and melatonin are vital non-psychoactive neurotransmitters and hormones regulating normal bodily functions.

The Colorado River toad (Incilius alvarius, formerly Bufo alvarius) is known to secrete a venom containing the psychoactive tryptamine 5-MeO-DMT from its parotoid glands. Other animal species also contain or produce tryptamines, but often in different contexts.

Yes, common foods contain the amino acid tryptophan, a precursor to tryptamine and serotonin. Foods rich in tryptophan include fish, meat, dairy, eggs, seeds, and nuts. The conversion of tryptophan to tryptamine also occurs in the human gut due to bacterial activity.

Orally ingested DMT is typically inactive because it is quickly broken down by enzymes called monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the gut and liver. For it to be psychoactive, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) must be ingested to block these enzymes, as is the case with the traditional ayahuasca brew.

Psilocybin and psilocin are the active tryptamines in 'magic mushrooms' like Psilocybe cubensis. After ingestion, psilocybin is converted into the more active psilocin, which mimics the neurotransmitter serotonin and acts as an agonist on serotonin receptors in the brain to produce its psychedelic effects.

The gut microbiome contains bacteria, such as Ruminococcus gnavus and Clostridium sporogenes, capable of producing tryptamine from dietary tryptophan. This microbially-produced tryptamine can activate serotonin receptors in the gut and is involved in regulating gastrointestinal motility.