Studies in humans have consistently shown no significant attenuation in the subjective experiences elicited by DMT. For instance, Strassman (1995, 1996a) demonstrated that volunteers who received four closely spaced doses of DMT experienced no reduction in hallucinogenic intensity (21, 89). Similarly, Dos Santos et al. (2012) observed no tolerance to the subjective effects of two consecutive doses of ayahuasca (22).

The Risks Associated with DMT: Understanding Potential Dangers

This means it is illegal to possess, distribute, or manufacture DMT without special government permission. DMT use remains rare compared to other hallucinogens, but its popularity is increasing, especially among young adults in the United States. Most tryptamine users have prior experience with other psychedelics, such as LSD or psilocybin, and are more likely to be male, although use among females is also rising.

What Does It Mean To Have a Substance Abuse Problem?

• If you are going to take DMT, it’s important to stay safe by being with someone you trust in a safe environment, starting with a low dose, and using sterile equipment.
• When injected intravenously, DMT induces visions so strong that having one’s eyes open or closed barely affects what is seen (14).
• DMT users frequently claim that it has fewer side effects than other psychedelic drugs, but this is a difficult claim to measure and quantify.
• Some even describe the sensation of being pulled out of their body or traveling through tunnels to other worlds.
• Healthline does not endorse the use of any illegal substances, and we recognize abstaining from them is always the safest approach.

Variability in dosing, administrations routes, and the combination with a MAOI (in ayahuasca) further complicates cross-study comparisons (17). The long-term impacts of repeated dosing also require further investigation (104). It is crucial to have larger, well-designed trials to better understand DMT’s safety and efficacy (29, 30).

The main effect of DMT is psychological, with intense visual and auditory hallucinations, euphoria, and an altered sense of space, body, and time. 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. In a landmark study, Vargas et al. (2023) described how DMT and psilocybin activate intracellular cytoplasmic pools of 5HT2A receptors to promote neuroplasticity (98). This confirmed Cornea-Hébert et al. (1999) previous finding that 5HT2A receptors in the neuronal cortex are primarily intracellular rather than on the membrane surface (99). Remarkably, although serotonin is a potent 5HT2A receptor agonist, it cannot cross the cellular membrane to activate these receptors.

The psychoactive effects may be what people are after when they use DMT, but the drug can cause a number of physical effects, too. Healthline does not endorse the use of any illegal substances, and we recognize abstaining from them is always the safest approach. However, we believe in providing accessible and accurate information to reduce the harm that can occur when using. DMT is naturally found in some plant species and combined with other plants to produce a brew called ayahuasca, which is consumed in spiritual ceremonies in several South American cultures. If someone does not address serotonin syndrome, it can cause life threatening complications, including seizures, kidney or respiratory failure, or loss of muscle tissue. Heavy use, or use along with other drugs that contain serotonin, can cause life threatening serotonin syndrome.

DENOVO RECOVERY

• When smoked or vaporized, DMT hits quickly, leading to a rapid onset of intense effects that peak within a few minutes.
• Like most hallucinogenic drugs, DMT misuse can lead to addiction because its psychedelic effects can compel you to repeatedly seek out the experiences brought by the drug to escape reality.
• Other, less common methods include snorting, injecting, or consuming DMT in tablet form.
• Its natural production and interaction with sigma-1 and intracellular 5HT2A receptors play important roles in brain plasticity and immune regulation.
• The hallucinations induced by DMT can be extremely vivid, leading to confusion and even emotional distress.

Pure DMT that’s been extracted in a controlled environment is a white, crystalline powder or solid. It can also have a yellow, pink, or orange hue when not in its purest form. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. If you’re going to try DMT, there are a few things you can do to make the experience safer. There’s also synthetic DMT, which comes in the form of a white, crystalline powder.

DMT vs. Other Psychedelics

The hallucinations induced by DMT can be extremely vivid, leading to confusion and even emotional distress. Some users experience intense paranoia or panic attacks during their trip. Additionally, recurring flashbacks—known as “hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder” (HPPD)—can appear days or weeks after use, disrupting daily life. DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine) is a fast-acting psychedelic that can lead to brief but overwhelming hallucinations. Naturally found in plants like Ayahuasca, it’s also manufactured synthetically for recreational use.

Whether you’re a seasoned explorer in the world of psychedelics or just dipping your toes in, understanding what DMT can do to your mind and body is crucial. There’s so much to uncover here, from the mind-bending experiences it can evoke to the potential pitfalls that might come along for the ride. People use DMT for the intense psychedelic trip that feels like an out-of-body experience. But a range of physical and mental side effects accompany this powerful trip, some of which can be pretty unpleasant. DMT is a mind-altering drug that can alter your perceptions and make you see or hear things that aren’t there. dmt uses side effects and risks Although there is no evidence of long-term negative effects or risk of addiction, it can still have side effects in the short term ranging from high blood pressure to seizures.

Long-Term Risks and Side Effects of DMT

Your chances of a bad trip seem to be higher if you have a history of mental health conditions or use DMT while you’re feeling distressed. DMT is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, meaning it’s illegal to use recreationally. DMT goes by many names, including Dimitri, fantasia, and the spirit molecule. DMT may increase the intensity of the effects of other psychedelics, such as LSD.

The experience can be so powerful that users may have difficulty processing and integrating the “trip” into real life. Because DMT can mimic a near-death experience, some people may find using the drug traumatic and upsetting. 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. 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.

It’s common for mental side effects to last for several days after taking DMT, due to its strength. DMT is currently a DEA Schedule I controlled substance and federally illegal, though some cities have recently decriminalized it. DMT belongs to a class of chemical compounds called tryptamines, which primarily alter serotonin levels in the central nervous system. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of mood, appetite, sleep, and memory. Though DMT has received increasing media attention, the compound is currently illegal in the U.S. The first comprehensive analysis of the DMT experience is now available, and a clinical trial for its therapeutic benefits is underway.

Clinical studies have not generally tested its interactions with other drugs. DMT could have serious adverse consequences for users with pre-existing psychological problems or a mental illness, such as schizophrenia. Mental side effects may linger for many days or weeks after ingestion of the drug. Depending on the individual user, the DMT experience can range from intensely exciting to overwhelmingly frightening. For example, there is evidence of its use in Trinidad at the time of Spanish colonists’ arrival.

5. DMT has unique effects in neuroplasticity

The effects peak and plateau for 2 to 5 minutes and gradually drop off with the duration of effect totaling up to 30 minutes. DMT is a white crystalline powder derived from certain plants found in Mexico, South America, and parts of Asia, such as Psychotria viridis. It is present in cohoba, a hallucinogenic drug derived from the seeds of Piptadenia peregrina. Federal law in the U.S. classifies DMT as a “Schedule I” illegal drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

On one hand, studies suggest that under controlled conditions, DMT may help treat anxiety, depression, and PTSD. However, its use outside of medical supervision carries significant risks. The intense, unpredictable experiences can worsen existing mental health problems or trigger new symptoms, such as paranoia or severe anxiety, especially in individuals with a history of psychological issues. Of note, although ayahuasca contains beta-carbolines, which act as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), its primarily psychedelic effect is mainly due to DMT.

A nuanced understanding of DMT’s pharmacology and its redefinition among psychedelics is necessary to recognize its full potential. While the effects of DMT are usually short-lived, there are potential long-term risks. Some users report persistent visual disturbances or “flashbacks” , a condition known as hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD). There’s also a risk of developing serotonin syndrome, which is dangerous if DMT is mixed with substances like certain antidepressants.