5-MeO-DALT (N,N-diallyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a synthetic tryptamine that acts on serotonin 2A receptors, similar to psilocybin and LSD. It was first studied for cluster headache treatment in 2014 by Mitchell D. Post, and a follow-up patient survey in 2015 found that 87% of respondents reported a positive effect on their cluster headaches, with 46% achieving zero attacks.

Unlike psilocybin and LSD, 5-MeO-DALT produces virtually no psychedelic effects at therapeutic doses, and it remains uncontrolled in most countries. (Check the legality in your country here.)

What You Need

5-MeO-DALT powder (freebase or HCl salt form), sourced from a reputable supplier with purity assays (>98%)
Milligram scale (0.001g precision — essential for accurate dosing at 15mg)
Gelatin capsules (size 4 or 5) for oral administration
Logbook or notebook to track dosing and headache activity

Note on forms: The freebase powder can be weighed and placed into capsules. The HCl (salt) form dissolves easily in water, which some patients find more convenient for storage and dosing. One survey respondent also reported success using the HCl form dissolved in water as a nasal spray for aborting acute attacks, though this route has not been formally studied.

Dosing Guide

Standard preventive dose: 15mg orally

This is the dose established in the original 2014 case study and used by 74% of patients in the 2015 survey. Most patients do not need to go higher. In the survey, some patients used 25mg or even 50mg, but side effects increase at higher doses with limited additional benefit.

Do not start above 15mg. If 15mg feels too strong, you can start at 10mg and work up.

Step-by-Step Protocol

Step 1: Prepare and Detox

Pick a day with no work or driving obligations.
Eat light beforehand.
Have a quiet, comfortable place to rest for 2–3 hours.

Stop using triptans, ergots, and SSRIs at least 5 days before your first dose if possible — they may block the effect.

⚠️ Ask your doctor before stopping prescription meds.

Step 2: Take Your First Dose

Weigh exactly 15mg on your milligram scale.
Place the powder in a gelatin capsule and swallow with water.
Alternatively, dissolve HCl salt form in a small amount of water and drink it.
Some patients have taken the freebase sublingually (under the tongue), though this causes numbness and an unpleasant taste.
Sit or lie down and relax. Effects begin within about 10 minutes.

You may feel:

Marked drowsiness and intense relaxation
A feeling of reduced body temperature (cold fingers/toes, chills); this is the most common side effect, reported by 41% of patients
Mild dizziness or nausea (22% of patients)
Very mild spatial distortion or light closed-eye visuals
33% of patients reported no side effects at all

All effects typically resolve within 2 hours, after which you return to normal baseline functioning. This is not a "trip". Most patients describe it as barely noticeable.

Step 3: Wait and Track

Wait 5 days before the next dose. Keep a headache diary:

How many attacks per day?
Severity (kip scale) and duration
Triggers and patterns
Any side effects from the dose

Step 4: Repeat

Repeat every 5 days. This was the dosing interval used in the original study and followed by 59% of survey respondents.

Many patients see significant improvement within the first few doses.

Continue the 5-day cycle as long as you are in cycle or experiencing shadows.

What to Avoid During Treatment

Triptans (sumatriptan, rizatriptan, etc.)
Ergotamine
SSRIs or MAOIs
Corticosteroids may also interfere (though one patient reported combining prednisone with DALT during a transition period)

These can block or reduce the effectiveness of 5-MeO-DALT, just as they can with psilocybin and LSD.

Signs It's Working

Fewer or shorter cluster attacks
Lower pain intensity (reduced kip scores)
Longer pain-free windows between attacks
Complete elimination of attacks (achieved by 46% of survey respondents)
Reduction or disappearance of shadows

Maintenance and Long-Term Use

Once your cycle is broken or attacks are controlled:

Some patients continue dosing every 5 days throughout their cycle as a preventive
Others dose only when shadows or attacks begin to return
Episodic patients may stop dosing during remission and restart at the first sign of a new cycle

In the 2015 survey, 78% of patients indicated they would continue using 5-MeO-DALT as their treatment.

Comparison with Psilocybin and LSD

5-MeO-DALT offers several practical advantages for patients who find psilocybin or LSD difficult to work with:

No psychedelic effects at therapeutic doses: You can function normally within 2 hours
Precise dosing: As a pure synthetic powder, each dose can be measured exactly on a milligram scale, unlike psilocybin mushrooms which vary in potency
Legal status: Uncontrolled in most countries, unlike psilocybin and LSD. Check the legality in your country here.
Low anxiety: Patients report significantly less apprehension around dosing compared to psychedelics. As one survey respondent put it: zero anxiety, zero planning, and the ability to participate in life while being completely pain free
Short duration: Effects resolve in about 2 hours, compared to 4–6 hours for psilocybin or 8–12 hours for LSD

Some patients have successfully transitioned from psilocybin or LSD to 5-MeO-DALT. In the survey, several respondents reported that 5-MeO-DALT was as effective as psilocybin for prevention, with one noting that two doses of DALT stopped shadowing that had required bi-weekly psilocybin doses to manage.

Safety Notes

5-MeO-DALT has not been studied in formal clinical trials. All data comes from patient self-reports.
Higher doses (30mg+) produce stronger side effects including disorientation, moderate dizziness, and a rapid drop in body temperature. Stay at 15mg unless you have a specific reason to increase.
One survey respondent reported a positive saliva test for amphetamine/methamphetamine while using 5-MeO-DALT. Be aware of this if you are subject to drug testing.
Source your material from a reputable supplier with published purity assays. As a research chemical, quality can vary between suppliers.
Have a trusted person aware of your dosing schedule, especially for your first dose.
Keep all materials stored safely, labelled clearly, and out of reach of children.

Preventing cluster headache attacks with 5-MeO-DALT