So on another forum they were discussing the neurotoxicity of tryptamine. They linked an article that showed that tryptamine (not NN dimethyl tryptamine) is metabolized into the neurotoxic chemical tryptoline, which has been linked to parkinsons disease. There is a possibility that N-methyl tryptamine (yet again, not NN dimethyl tryptamine) could be metablized into n-methyl tryptoline, which is EVEN MORE toxic than tryptoline. We have no conclusive evidence, but I just thought that the community should be aware of this risk and avoid plants with a high proportion of N-methyltryptamine.

http://www.reference.md/files/C009/mC009804.html

I find that hard to believe since NMT is also endogenous to the human body. It would seem counterproductive for a biochemistry to produce something that metabolizes to a toxic byproduct.

From my understanding the link between beta carbolines and parkinsons disease is not as well defined as some people suggest. Beta Carbolines were once used as a treatment for parkinsons actaully, until they were not able to patent the medicine.

I would take all of this with a grain of salt.

he interesting info, hopefully other members have a idea what to make from it.

Good to know all of the above. I understand that it is linked to PD, so it very well be the case that the enzymatic pathway in question is linked to PD. Yet again, I'm not a professional, so I don't know what to make of this. I might send off an email to a professional and see if I get a response.

I have never been able to find one study that could actaully find a causative correlation between beta carbolines and parkinsons. Like I said, they were once a treatment for parkinsons and this was only discontinued becasue they could not get a patent on it.

Endogenous beta carbolines present in higher ammounts in parkinsons patients could play a medicinal role, we just dont really know.

..there is no evidence of acute toxicity in N-methyl-tryptamine in either animal or human bioassay..

it seems to be as toxic as DMT..
less 'toxic' than ayahuasca..

simple tryptamine has some cardio-toxicity, but not acutely..

beta-carboline (tryptoline) toxicity is correlated with very high dosage levels..
also, the MAOI action means some toxicity is a result of other amines within the system..
more recent work done on beta-carbolines has suggested positive health effects as well, and they are widely distributed in food (see Tomás Herraiz et al.)

it should be remembered that all medicines are toxins above a certain dosage level..

n-methyl-tryptamine is safe at dosages at least up to 120mg (based on human bioassay)
.

Chemically speaking, tryptamine cannot make it to tryptoline; n-methyl tryptamine can cyclise to give tryptoline, and dmt can cyclise to give the (toxic? more toxic?) n-methyl tryptoline. Especially for the latter and from what we know of metabolism of aya in humans, such a metabolite is not detected. Overall, no need to panic.

Also, it strikes me that if beta carbolines were "once used for treatment of Parkinson's disease but this was discontinued when they couldn't be patented", then it would be quite typical of the pharmacratic industry to wheel out some "study" suggesting that beta carbolines are neurotoxic, in order to safeguard profits.

i find it hard to believe that NMT would have a significantly different level of toxicity than DMT.