Tryptamine is a monoamine alkaloid. It contains an indole ring structure, and is structurally similar to the amino acid tryptophan, from which the name derives. Tryptamine is found in trace amounts in the brains of mammals and is hypothesized to play a role as a neuromodulator or neurotransmitter. Similar to other trace amines, tryptamine binds to human trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) as an agonist.

Tryptamine is the common functional group in a set of compounds termed collectively substituted tryptamines. This set includes many biologically active compounds, including neurotransmitters and psychedelic drugs.

The concentration of tryptamine in rat brains is about 3.5 pmol/g.

Tryptamine is the common functional group in a set of compounds collectively termed "substituted tryptamines." Pharmacologically, substituted tryptamines are best known for being able to produce psychedelic and entheogenic effects.

An investigation of dozens of psychoactive tryptamine compounds was published by Ann and Alexander Shulgin under the title TiHKAL ("Tryptamines I Have Known and Loved").

e metabolite that is mainly responsible for the analgesic effect of tramadol, O-DSMT is significantly more potent by weight than its parent compound.