DMT guide for the beginner Psychonaut

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DMT is a psychedelic drug that is gaining immense popularity due to its powerful hallucinogenic effects. It is a tryptamine-based drug that exists in two forms: N, N-Dimethyltryptamine and 5-Methoxy-N, N-Dimethyltryptamine.

Street Names for DMT

Street names for DMT include:

Dimitri.
Fantasia, Businessman’s Unique.
The Spirit Molecule.

Where Does DMT Come From?

There are various plants and animals that naturally produce DMT. In addition, It can also be manufactured synthetically in a lab.

Please note that there are two different types of DMT and each has a different origin. In this post, we will discuss both of them and explain their origin.

N, N-Dimethyltryptamine

N, N-Dimethyltryptamine, abbreviated as N, N-DMT, or DMT, is a hallucinogenic molecule that is a derivative and structural analog of tryptamine. It occurs naturally in different plants and animals, ranging from underwater coral-like organisms to mammals. Some sources even claim that DMT is found in every living organism, but there is no scientific evidence to back up this claim. It has a rapid onset of action, earning it the nickname “business trip” in the 1960s. This molecule produces strong visual hallucinations.

5-Methoxy-N, N-Dimethyltryptamine

5-Methoxy-N, N-Dimethyltryptamine, abbreviated as 5-MeO-DMT, is a molecule that resembles DMT at a macro and micro level. However, it has a few extra atoms (5-MeO) that cause significant differences in how these two molecules affect the human body.

5-MeO-DMT is also found in several plants and animals, but it has not been found in humans. This molecule has been found in high amounts in the venom of the Bufo Alvarius toad, which is native to the Colorado River.

While DMT produces strong visual effects, 5-MeO-DMT produces powerful hallucinations that have been compared to having a near-death experience.

How is DMT Consumed?

Vines and leaves that contain natural DMT are boiled, and the liquid is drunk as tea. Synthetic DMT comes in a crystalline powder that can be smoked, snorted, injected, or vaporized.

5-MeO-DM can be obtained from toad venom. While it may not be convenient to lick the venom from the toad’s mouth, it can dehydrate the liquid venom into a crumbly paste that can be smoked.

DMT vs Ayahuasca

DMT is the active ingredient in ayahuasca. Psychotria Viridis, one of the two plants that are used to prepare ayahuasca, contains DMT. The other plant, Banisteriopsis Caapi, contains compounds known as MAOIs that prevent DMT breakdown by specific enzymes in the body. This increases the bioavailability of DMT in the Psychotria Viridis usable.

Ayahuasca is a religious brew made from the leaves of the Psychotria Viridis shrub and the stalks of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine. This tea has been used traditionally for religious occasions by ancient Amazonian tribes. Ayahuasca ceremonies are usually presided over by a traditional healer known as a Shaman. The Shaman prepares the tea by brewing the leaves and stalks from the plants in boiling water. Once the liquid is concentrated, it is strained to get rid of impurities. The tea is then served to the attendees to start them off on their religious trip.

How DMT Works

Both DMT and 5-MeO-DMT interact with serotonin receptors located in the brain.. 5-MeO-DMT is a serotonin agonist, DMT is a partial agonist at these receptors. The exact mechanisms of these molecules have not been fully elucidated. Still, it is clear that the slight difference in their structures influences their action and effects in the human body.

Changa and Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca and changa are psychedelics that are often used in religious functions. They both contain DMT as an active ingredient. Shamans usually consume ayahuasca as a tea during religious festivals. Changa is usually ground to a powder and smoked.

What Does a DMT High Feel Like?

A DMT high is likely to vary from one person to another. According to a 2018 BBC report, a DMT high felt like “dying” and was described as a “near-death experience.” Some users felt like they were being transposed to outer space at lightning speed, while others compared it to taking a journey through an endless tunnel of bright lights and random shapes.

5-MeO-DMT is believed to provide a stronger hallucinogenic experience as compared to N,N-DMT. On the other hand, the latter provides stronger visual effects.

N,N-DMT trip may feel like your vision has been obstructed by brightly coloured fractals. While your thoughts remain coherent, you may feel like you have been transported to a different planet where colors come alive and fly around in shapes.

A 5-MeO-DMT trip feels like “death.” You immediately lose a sense of “self” as the boundaries between internal and external disappear. This may drive you to the point of “ego death”, which is a complete loss of self-identity.

When the ego dies, the person loses all sense of personal identity. They forget their fears and passions; what defines them gets lost as they form a new interlocked identity with the entire universe. Ego death, or a state of egolessness, starts the user on a journey of introspection. The user critiques their existence and what it means.

One study demonstrated how psychedelic trips could be transformed into valuable experiences. By connecting to one’s primordial nature, one can face mortality and, in the process, find true healing.

Generally, 5-MeO-DMT has strong hallucinogenic properties that alter one’s perception of reality. While some people enjoy this experience, newer users may find it extremely frightening.

How Long Does it Take for DMT to Work?

Synthetic DMT in powder form is inhaled through the nostrils and immediately hits the bloodstream and brain. Changa is smoked and will work similarly since it hits the bloodstream almost immediately. You will begin to feel the effects within a few seconds after smoking changa. As a risk reduction measure, you should know that it’s crucial to ensure that you are in a position where your head cannot fall backward or be at risk of injury.

Natural DMT, consumed as tea (such as ayahuasca), takes longer to act since the ingested compound has to go through the digestive process. Expect to start feeling the effects in about half an hour, but this may take up to one hour if you have consumed a fatty meal.

How Long Do the Effects of DMT Last?

Variables play a significant role. Some users report an intense effect that only lasts about 5 to 30 minutes, while others report that the effects of DMT will last for about 30-45 minutes if you have inhaled it. DMT that has been ingested (for example, when taking Ayahuasca) may last for 2 to 6 hours. The duration is affected by the following factors:

- How much you consume
- Your tolerance for DMT
- How you consume it
- Whether you eat before taking it
- Whether you take any other drugs with it

DMT Dosage

In a clinical setup, a dose of 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg of IV N,N-DMT should be sufficient to produce hallucinations. For the typical 70kg man, this translates to 14mg to 28 mg of N,N-DMT. For microdosing, a tenth of the usual dose should suffice to produce hallucinogenic effects, as was demonstrated in this study.

DMT & Serotonin Syndrome Warning

DMT may cause an increase in the levels of circulating serotonin (the feel-good hormone). When this occurs, it may trigger a life-threatening condition known as serotonin syndrome disorder. Combining DMT with a group of antidepressants known as Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) increases this disease’s risk. To avoid this condition, you should be on the lookout for the following symptoms:

- Confusion and irritability
- Muscle spasms
- Anxiety
- Tremors
- Overactive reflexes
- Shivering
- Muscle rigidity
- Dilated pupils

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is always advisable to seek an expert opinion from a qualified medical practitioner. Alerting them early will help them start you on appropriate treatment as necessary.

Negative Effects of DMT

DMT has some serious risks, especially when consumed excessively or the user has underlying conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. DMT may cause the following serious risks:

- Seizures
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Poor muscle coordination
- Respiratory arrest and coma
- Psychosis
- Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD)

DMT may also cause dehydration and hyperthermia, which can be lethal. This could lead to kidney or liver failure, coma, or damage to the heart and brain. If you experience any adverse effects when consuming DMT, it is advisable to stop and give your body some time to get off the “DMT high.” In case the hallucinogenic effects are overwhelming, find a quiet place where you can lie down as you wait for the bad trip to come to an end. Fortunately, this should not take more than a few hours.

Recreational and Therapeutic Uses of DMT

Recreational Use of DMT

Not much is known about the recreational use of DMT. A 2019 study conducted in the U.S showed that the recreational use of DMT in the U.S was not prevalent, but the prevalence was increasing.

A study conducted in Australia in 2010 revealed that most recreational users tried DMT out of curiosity to try out hallucinogenic compounds (46.6%), while another 41% were interested in the effects of DMT. Almost all (98%) users smoked the DMT. 30% tried ayahuasca. Most users reported marked psycho-spiritual insight after consuming DMT (both smoked and ayahuasca). From this study, it is apparent that most recreational users smoke DMT out of curiosity.

Therapeutic Effects of DMT

Even though the therapeutic potential of DMT has not yet been investigated extensively, preliminary evidence suggests that DMT may have a role to play in the management of several psychiatric conditions. It has been linked to anxiety, substance dependence, depression, PTSD, and other mental disorders. The psycho-socio-spiritual effects produced by ayahuasca play a key role in enhancing holistic healing.

Research has shown that DMT may help manage chronic, low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress, precipitating factors for some long-standing conditions. The same study also showed that DMT might have a bio-psycho-socio-spiritual angle that promotes physical healing.

A different study showed that ayahuasca has a role in treating anxiety, depression, and substance dependence. The study also showed that ayahuasca has a good safety profile. A 2021 study examined the potential of DMT and other psychedelic compounds in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The researchers concluded that “psilocybin and DMT could be useful in depression treatment, but further observations are still required.”

A study by the Beckley foundation acknowledged the therapeutic role of DMT in treating anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. The researchers found that ayahuasca also has significant potential in managing impulse-related, personality, and trauma disorders which needs further investigation. DMT has also been shown to produce fear extinction which could be beneficial to those who have PTSD.

Is DMT Legal?

Let’s examine the legal status of DMT in the United State and the United Kingdom:

Is DMT Legal In the USA?

DMT is classified as a schedule 1 substance in the U.S., making it illegal to possess, use, buy, or sell it. While some states have decriminalized DMT, it remains illegal under federal law, similar to marijuana.

Is DMT Legal In the UK?

In the UK, DMT is classified as a Class A Drug. This means that the possession or distribution of DMT in the UK is illegal. In the same vein, since ayahuasca contains DMT, it is also illegal in the UK.

Does DMT Interact With Other Drugs?

DMT interacts with several medications that are metabolized through a similar pathway. If DMT is mixed with such drugs or alcohol as there’s a high-risk factor. For example, DMT shouldn’t be combined with tramadol to avoid the risk of seizure. Similarly, it shouldn’t be mixed with any recreationally used prescription drugs known to interact with it, as well as other hallucinogens. Hence, avoid mixing DMT with the following:

- Benzodiazepines
- Antihistamines
- Amphetamines
- Cannabis
- Opioids
- Ketamine
- Psilocybin mushrooms

Can You Develop Tolerance to DMT?

It is possible to build tolerance to DMT over time. This would mean that one requires greater amounts of DMT to achieve an effect previously achieved at a lower dose. This has been demonstrated through a lab study where rats were trained to press a bar (respond) for a milk reward. The same study also demonstrated that DMT use might cause an individual to develop cross-tolerance to other drugs such as LSD.

Is DMT addictive?

There is no evidence to support a physical addiction to DMT, even when used for a long time, but some users develop a psychological dependency on it.

Conclusion

DMT is a hallucinogenic compound that is consumed for religious, medical, and recreational purposes. While research on this compound is limited, preliminary evidence suggests potential benefits in mental health. The effects of DMT vary from one consumer to another.

Every year, hundreds of people travel across borders to observe religious rituals that involve the use of DMT- ayahuasca retreats. While some go out searching for a spiritual encounter or physical healing, others make this trip in chase of the next big high. All in all, the Amazonian ayahuasca ceremony is quickly transforming into a million-dollar industry. This is a clear indication that DMT is among the most sought after psychedelics of the 21st century.

DMT is not physically addictive but may cause some severe side effects. It may also interact adversely with some drugs. Therefore, it is crucial to consult with your doctor before you take a DMT trip!