Methyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate, also known as DMCM, is a chemical compound that induces a state of panic and anxiety. It is also a powerful convulsant, meaning that it induces seizures. This is used primarily in medical and scientific research to learn more about the mechanisms behind anxiety and seizures, test new pharmaceuticals, and perform studies on how anxiety affects pain, learning, and other processes. Manufacturers primarily sell it in bulk and may only release it to approved facilities or researchers to reduce the risk of circulating it among members of the general public.
This drug is part of the beta-carboline family of compounds. It is an inverse agonist that acts on benzodiazepine receptors in the body. When these receptors are stimulated with benzodiazepine, sedation, calm, and relaxation are induced. DMCM causes anxiety and panic, creating the opposite feelings. It can cause intense seizures which may be resistant to some medications.
One reason to use this compound in research is to test medications in development for the management of seizures and anxiety. In animal studies, researchers can use DMCM to induce anxiety and seizures in controlled conditions. They follow this with doses of the medication they are studying to determine if it is effective. This provides important data for drug development that may help a pharmaceutical company decide whether to proceed with a given project.
Researchers may also have an interest in using DMCM as part of studies on how panic and anxiety interact with the ability to perform cognitive tasks. They can induce anxiety and have rats run a maze, for example, determining whether the rats are still able to learn while on DMCM. This compound also appears to mute pain responses, which may be the result of a panic override that blocks pain signals, and has interesting implications for some kinds of research into how animals and people cope with pain, anxiety, and stress.
DMCM is not intended for human use, and adverse effects caused by this compound can be severe. Like other compounds designed for biological research, it may be packaged in materials that clearly indicate it is not safe for human use, hasn’t been tested in humans, and could cause serious injury or death. In cases where suspected DMCM ingestion has occurred, the patient should be taken immediately for emergency medical treatment. As much information as possible about the dose and timing should be provided to help medical providers treat the patient effectively.