DMT: Side effects, facts, and health risks DMT is a hallucinogenic tryptamine drug that occurs naturally in various plants, such as Psychotria viridis or Chacruna. Using DMT with other drugs or without support can be dangerous. Others find it traumatic. This is more likely in people taking antidepressants or other drugs that increase serotonin levels. The experience can be so powerful that users may have difficulty processing and integrating the “trip” into real life. Possible side effects of DMT include: Depending on the individual user, the DMT experience can range from intensely exciting to overwhelmingly frightening. This means that it is illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, or distribute the drug. Ayahuasca is a psychoactive tea-like drink. DMT users frequently claim

that it has fewer side effects than other psychedelic drugs, but this is a difficult claim to measure and quantify. Researchers can use DMT under a Schedule I research registration that requires approval from both the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). DMT is structurally related to the neurotransmitter serotonin. The substance has a high potential for abuse, no government-recognized medical use, and a lack of accepted safety parameters for use. The condition is more likely in people taking a combination of different drugs. DMT is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States. Some people call it the “spirit molecule” due to the intense psychedelic experience. At higher doses, it can cause: DMT

could have serious adverse consequences for users with pre-existing psychological problems or a mental illness, such as schizophrenia. Doctors will likely discourage using it and may not know much about mitigating the risk. DMT may increase the intensity of the effects of other psychedelics, such as LSD. Microdosing is the practice of taking small doses of a drug to promote insight and creative thinking. People typically consume it in the following ways: The chemical root structure of DMT is similar to the anti-migraine drug sumatriptan, and it acts as a non-selective agonist at most or all of the serotonin receptors, particularly at the serotonin 5-HT2a receptor. Because it can change heart rate, perceptions, and emotional states, it may also change

the way drugs that affect these functions work. DMT has several health risks, can produce terrifying hallucinations, and might lead to psychological dependency. People who wish to try DMT should learn as much as possible and practice harm-reduction strategies. People who use ayahuasca Some important differences between the two substances include: The main effect of DMT is psychological, with intense visual and auditory hallucinations, euphoria, and an altered sense of space, body, and time. However, people may develop a tolerance for this drug, meaning they need to take larger doses to feel the same effects each time. Participants reported a lifetime use of 8.9%, with 4.3% reporting use during the last year. More detail and supporting information is in the

main article. Anecdotally, many users report taking the drug to attain spiritual insight. Effects begin within 60 minutes, peak after 90 minutes, and disappear in approximately 4 hours. A number of slang terms exist for DMT: People illicitly use DMT for its psychoactive, hallucinogenic effects. Although less familiar than other psychedelics such as LSD or magic mushrooms, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) produces a brief but intense visual and auditory hallucinogenic experience. A typical smoked dose of DMT is When consumed as a brew in the form of ayahuasca, the dose is between 0.6—0.85 mg for every kilogram of liquid. Data from this survey indicates use has increased over time, with usage rates similar to methamphetamine. Here are some key points about DMT.

Heavy use, or use along with other drugs that contain serotonin, can cause life threatening serotonin syndrome. Some harm reduction strategies include: DMT is a potent hallucinogenic drug that can dramatically alter a person’s perspective, consciousness, and sensory experiences. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has a large effect on the majority of our brain cells. When smoked, DMT produces brief yet intense visual and auditory hallucinations that some users describe as an alternate reality, otherworldly, or a near-death experience. DMT is the first and main ingredient. DMT is a white crystalline powder derived from certain plants found in Mexico, South America, and parts of Asia, such as Psychotria viridis. Since DMT is illegal, there is limited research that shows any

benefits. Scientific data suggests its effects on the brain Research from the 2021 Global Drug Survey found that 7.4% of respondents reported microdosing with DMT. Despite its illegal status, people sometimes use DMT in religious ceremonies and various settings for an “awakening” or to obtain deep spiritual insight. Because DMT can mimic a near-death experience, some people may find using the drug traumatic and upsetting. Because DMT is illegal, it can be difficult to get reliable information about its use and safety. People taking antidepressants may have a Serotonin syndrome occurs when the body accumulates an excessive amount of serotonin. If someone does not address serotonin syndrome, it can cause life threatening complications, including seizures, kidney or respiratory failure, or

loss of muscle tissue. DMT’s most well-documented and harmful interaction is its potential to cause serotonin syndrome. Some people find it transformative and life-affirming to have this experience. Research suggests DMT has a low risk for addiction. It is present in cohoba, a hallucinogenic drug derived from the seeds of Piptadenia peregrina. These benefits remain prospective and experimental, not scientifically proven.