DMT is a hallucinogenic tryptamine drug that occurs naturally in various plants. Some people call it the “spirit molecule” due to the intense psychedelic experience.
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.
DMT is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States. This means that it is illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, or distribute the drug. The substance has a high potential for abuse, no government-recognized medical use, and a lack of accepted safety parameters for use.
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).
Despite its illegal status, people sometimes use DMT in religious ceremonies and various settings for an “awakening” or to obtain deep spiritual insight.
Fast facts on DMT
Here are some key points about DMT. More detail and supporting information is in the main article.
People have used DMT, often in religious rituals, for thousands of years.
Use of the drug as part of shamanic rituals is common in South America.
Side effects include powerful hallucinations.
Due to the nature of the drug, some people call DMT the “spirit molecule.”
>fact< Giulio Paletta/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images DMT is a white crystalline powder derived from certain plants found in Mexico, South America, and parts of Asia. People typically consume it in the following ways: vaporized or smoked in a pipe orally in brews like ayahuasca snorted or injected on rare occasions 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. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has a large effect on the majority of our brain cells. There is some Source that the body also produces DMT endogenously. This means the body makes DMT, likely in the pineal gland of the brain. A typical smoked dose of DMT is 40 to 50 milligrams (mg)Trusted Source but may be as much as 100 mg. The drug begins working almost instantly. The effects peak and plateau for 2 to 5 minutes and gradually drop off with the duration of effect totaling up to 30 minutes. When consumed as a brew in the form of ayahuasca, the dose is between 0.6—0.85 mg for every kilogram of liquid. Effects begin within 60 minutes, peak after 90 minutes, and disappear in approximately 4 hours. DMT street names A number of slang terms exist for DMT: businessman’s trip businessman’s special fantasia forty-five-minute psychosis DMT vs. ayahuasca Ayahuasca is a psychoactive tea-like drink. DMT is the first and main ingredient. . The brew contains a range of compounds that may help limit side effects and reduce the overall toxicity of DMT. Some important differences between the two substances include: DMT typically contains no other ingredients, while ayahuasca contains plants and other compounds. DMT may be more potent than ayahuasca. Ayahuasca may contain other ingredients that alter the high of DMT. Toxicity and side effects may be more likely with DMT than with ayahuasca.