Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)

N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT or N,N-DMT) is a psychedelic compound of the tryptamine family. Its presence is widespread throughout the plant kingdom. DMT occurs in trace amounts in mammals, including humans, where it putatively functions as a trace amine neurotransmitter/neuromodulator. It is originally derived from the essential amino acid tryptophan and ultimately produced by the enzyme INMT during normal metabolism. The significance of its widespread natural presence remains undetermined. Structurally, DMT is analogous to the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT), the hormone melatonin, and other psychedelic tryptamines, such as 5-MeO-DMT, bufotenin, psilocin and psilocybin.

When ingested, DMT acts as a psychedelic drug. Depending on the dose and method of administration, its subjective effects can range from short-lived milder psychedelic states to powerful immersive experiences; these are often described as a total loss of connection to conventional reality with the encounter of ineffable spiritual/alien realms. Indigenous Amazonian Amerindian cultures consume DMT as the primary psychoactive in ayahuasca, a shamanistic brew used for divinatory and healing purposes. Pharmacologically, ayahuasca combines DMT with an MAOI, an enzyme inhibitor that allows DMT to be orally active.

N,N-DMT is a psychoactive chemical in the tryptamine family; it causes intense visuals and strong psychedelic mental effects when smoked, injected, snorted, or when taken orally with an MAOI such as harmaline. N,N-DMT is most often called simply "DMT", although this sometimes causes confusion with its more potent chemical cousin 5-MeO-DMT. N,N-DMT is present in over 65 species of plants and has been used traditionally in South America in ayahuasca brews since at least the time of first European contact (around 1500), and archeological evidence suggests its use in snuffs since 2080 BCE. Starting in the mid-1980s, N,N-DMT gained significant notoriety from Terence McKenna's many glowing rants about the strange visions it can precipitate. Following Rick Strassman's research in the early 1990s, and the theories he proposed in his popular 2001 book DMT: The Spirit Molecule (theories that have since been widely promelgated via the Internet), DMT has become even more well known in recent years.

To quote Terence McKenna, "The feeling of doing DMT is as though one had been struck by noetic lightning. The ordinary world is almost instantaneously replaced, not only with a hallucination, but a hallucination whose alien character is its utter alienness. Nothing in this world can prepare one for the impressions that fill your mind when you enter the DMT sensorium."

The smoked DMT experience is short, but generally incredibly intense. Onset is fast and furious, sometimes compared to being launched from a cannon. It is a fully engaging and enveloping experience of visions and visuals that varies greatly from one individual to the next. Users report visiting other worlds, talking with discarnate entities, profound changes in ontological perspective, fanciful dreamscapes, frightening and overwhelming forces, and complete shifts in perception and identity, followed by an abrupt return to baseline. Because of the nature and intensity of the experience, users are almost always seated or lying down with someone nearby to take the pipe as the experience begins. Intense and varied visuals are common.

Onset 

When smoked, DMT generally reaches full effects within 10-60 seconds of inhalation.

Duration

The primary effects of N,N-DMT last approximately 5-20 minutes when smoked. For many people there is an additional period of time (1-2 hours) before fully returning to baseline. Some people find DMT experiences difficult to integrate and experience unsettling thoughts and feelings for days after use.

Visual Effects 

Brightly colored, high-res detail, geometric, organic, overlapping, and somewhat kaleidoscopic; may be fast or slow moving, but a sense of motion is often present. Depictions of ayahuasca visions and DMT visions have been featured in the recent films Renegade (2004) and Enter The Void (2009).

One of the primary physical problems encountered with smoked or vaporized N,N-DMT is the harsh nature of the smoke or vapor, which can cause throat and lung irritation. Integration of the smoked/vaporized DMT experience can also cause difficulties for some individuals, especially at higher doses. Challenging integration periods can lead to anxiety, trouble focusing on daily tasks, preoccupation with the experience, difficulty sleeping, etc. Generally these effects dissipate on their own over the course of a few days, but there have been reports of persisting problems.

Contraindications 

The effects of smoked N,N-DMT are dramatically increased if used by individuals currently taking MAOIs. MAOI drugs include the prescription antidepressants Nardil (phenelzine), Parnate (tranylcypromine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), Eldepryl (l-deprenyl), and Aurorex or Manerix (moclobemide), as well as the harmala alkaloids present in Banisteriopsis caapi (ayahuasca) and Peganum harmala (Syrian rue). Check with your doctor if you are not sure whether your medication is a MAOI.

Do not stand up. Do not operate heavy machinery. Do Not Drive.
Individuals currently in the midst of emotional or psychological upheaval in their everyday lives should be careful about choosing to use psychedelics such as N,N-DMT as they can trigger even more difficulty.

Individuals with a family history of schizophrenia or early onset mental illness should be extremely careful because psychedelics have been known to trigger latent psychological and mental problems.

Addiction Potential 

DMT is neither physically addicting nor likely to cause psychological dependance. As with most substances, some people will use it more frequently than they are comfortable with. There may be a short period of tolerance after DMT use. However, Strassman et al. found in a tolerance study of DMT that four successive high-dose IV injections of DMT administered at 30-minute intervals produced no noticeable tolerance effect.

Legal Status

N,N-DMT is Schedule I in the United States. This means it is illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, or distribute (sell, trade or give) without a DEA license.

Australia 

South Australia controls "any plant containing DMT including any plant of the species Piptadenia Peregrina". See Controlled Substances (General) Regulations 2000 : Schedule 3.

Brazil 

DMT is listed as a controlled substance, making production, distribution, or possession illegal.

Canada 

DMT is schedule III in Canada. (Note: Canadian schedules are very different than U.S. schedules). See Law Canada.

Denmark 

DMT is reportedly on the "B-List" of drugs.

Estonia 

DMT is Schedule I [reference].

Germany 

DMT is listed in Anlage I of the BtMG, making it illegal to possess, purchase, or sell. (see Liste von Stoffen gemäß Grundstoffüberwachungsgesetz [.xls])

Japan 

DMT is probably a controlled substance in Japan, added to the list of controlled drugs in 2000, but we have been unable to confirm this. Despite this, we have received multiple reports that DMT, along with other strong psychoactives are being sold in shops in Japan.

New Zealand 

DMT is Schedule I (Class A) in New Zealand [reference].

Norway 

DMT is Schedule I in Norway and illegal to buy or possess without a special license. See Norway Law.

Poland 

DMT is schedule I (I-P group) in Poland.

Russia 

DMT is illegal to buy or possess without a license. We believe that DMT is a Schedule 1 substance in Russia.

Sweden 

DMT is regulated by law in Sweden, no additional details.

South Africa 

DMT is classified under the Drug and Drug Trafficking Act No. 140 of 1992 as a "Undesirable Dependence Producing Substance". See www.justice.gov.za/legislation/acts/1992-140.pdf.

United Kingdom (U.K., England, Wales, Scotland, N. Ireland) 

DMT is Schedule I/Class A in the U.K., making it illegal to buy or possess without a license.

EFFECTS LIST 

POSITIVE

short duration
immersive experiences
intense open eye visuals and kaleidescopic patterning
powerful "rushing" of sensation
radical perspective shifting
profound life-changing spiritual experiences

NEUTRAL

change in perception of time
auditory hallucinations / sound distortions (buzzing)
colorshifting (for example red green and gold coloring to the whole world)

NEGATIVE

overly-intense experiences
hard on the lungs to smoke
slight stomach discomfort
difficulty integrating experiences
overwhelming fear
fast onset and intensity can lead to problems if not prepared (dropped pipe, knocking things over, falling)

The Spirit Molecule

In his widely received book DMT The Spirit Molecule Dr. Rick Strassman M.D. theorizes that Dimethyltryptamine is produced within the Pineal Gland of the human brain, the proverbial third eye. This may be supported by evidence of DMT within human cerebrospinal fluid, although science has yet to determine exactly the origin of the compound within the body.

Strassman suggests DMT’s psychedelic properties may explain the phenomenon of near death and naturally occurring mystical experiences. The body may release DMT spontaneously during dreams or when close to death. Rick notes the significance of the Hindu and Buddhist teachings of the Crown Chakra and 3rd eye, in relation to the meditative and enlightened states practitioners can master. It’s possible through meditation that DMT is released via the Pineal Gland.

He doesn’t however reject the importance of these experiences and postulates DMT’s use in therapy, self-improvement and further scientific exploration of areas previously ignored by the establishment, but long known to ancient cultures, shamans and mystics. He speculates that although DMT may explain the brain’s reason for seeing other worlds and entities, it does not explain whether they are whole creations of the brain or something authentic that the brain tunes in to.

During his DEA approved research in the 90s Dr. Strassman compiled a list of patient notes that revealed a cannon of similar experiences, suggesting DMT produces universal effects. These included seeing DNA-like helices and spirals, the sensation of being a child often in other-worldlyplay rooms, as well as meeting independently acting non-human beings; like aliens, elves and clowns. Some were malevolent and others loving.

From his patient reports Strassman suggests alien abduction accounts may be psychedelic and not physical, due to the the spontaneous release of DMT in the body.

Many of his volunteers claimed their DMT trips were life changing, opening them up to new ideas, spiking creativity and in some cases alleviating the fear of death, due to the sense that there is somewhere for consciousness to go beyond the physical realm.

Interestingly his research was funded by the Scottish Rite Freemason organization, whose teachings are often linked to the ancient mysteries.

Conclusion

DMT has been an active part of almost all life forms for quite sometime. Is there a reason for this? Could it be the key to unlocking the mysteries of our consciousness and better understanding our own minds? Perhaps it will explain why we dream at night or out-of-body experiences. Or is it just another street drug that makes you "hallucinate" and should be outlawed? What do you think?

Sources

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