DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine) is a powerful hallucinogenic substance that occurs naturally in various plants and animals. It is most commonly consumed by smoking or vaporising. DMT is sometimes taken in combination with an MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor), such as in ayahuasca, as the body rapidly breaks down DMT when taken alone.

When ingested, DMT induces intense and short-lasting psychedelic experiences. Users often report profound hallucinations, altered perceptions of time and space, and, in high doses, encounters with seemingly autonomous entities or alternate realities

Effects

Potential positive effects can include feelings of joy, a greater understanding of everything, extrasensory perception, feeling at peace, euphoria, experiencing revelations, spiritual enhancement and feelings of unity and interconnectedness. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6107838/)(https://maps.org/research-archive/w3pb/1994/1994_Strassman_22714_1.pdf)
Potential neutral effects include intense visual geometrical hallucinations, heightened senses, feelings of being separated from the body, encountering deceased/religious spirits, sped up thoughts, encountering mystical beings, altered time perception and altered depth perception. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6107838/)(https://maps.org/research-archive/w3pb/1994/1994_Strassman_22714_1.pdf)
Potential negative effects include anxiety, disorientation, perceiving objects as malevolent, being unable to function physically and experiencing uneasy and gloomy feelings. (https://maps.org/research-archive/w3pb/1994/1994_Strassman_22714_1.pdf)
A person may experience physical effects that include increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, pupil dilatation, dizziness, nystagmus (rapid rhythmic movements of the eyes), chest pain/ feelings of tightness and dehydration. In very large doses, effects on the body may cause seizures and respiratory arrest, however, this is extremely rare.

Dosage

5-15 mg: Commonly a threshold/ beginners dose. At this dose people may experience visual distortions, intensified colours, they may see patterns over surfaces and may hear ringing in their ears.
15-25 mg: Sometimes referred to as“the waiting room”. At this dose people may experience body paralysis, they may experience vivid closed-eye and external hallucinations including rotating fractal patterns and geometrical shapes.
25mg-60 mg: Breakthrough dose. At this dose people may experience “being transported to a different realm”, body paralysis, loss of ego, encounters with entities, spiritual and mystical experience

Duration

Onset: 30 seconds
Duration: 10-15 minutes
Aftereffects: 15-20 minutes

Dangers

What not to mix with:

Drugs that lower seizure threshold: Some evidence suggests psychedelics could increase the risk of seizures, especially for those with a personal or family history of epilepsy. Using psychedelics alongside other drugs that may also increase the risk for seizure, such as tramadol, could further increase this risk. You can learn more about medications associated with increased seizure risk here.

Stimulants: taking DMT with stimulants such as cocaines and amphetamines may increase anxiety and intensity feelings of fear. DMT’s effects on raising heart rate and blood pressure when combined with stimulant drugs increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks.
Antidepressants: Both antidepressants and DMT increase the action of serotonin, a signalling molecule, in the nervous system so taking both drugs together increases the risk of serotonin syndrome, which can lead to seizures and death. Conversely, some antidepressants can blunt psychedelic experiences, read more under: “General risks and harm-reduction advice” section of the website.
Painkillers and sedatives: As DMT has a sedating effect on the body, combining DMT with sedative drugs such as opioids and benzodiazepines can increase the risk of respiratory depression (stopping) and may even lead to coma.

What are the dangers?

Physical danger: In a recent study investigating the safety of DMT, DMT was generally well-tolerated in participants, besides a couple of reports of mild headaches and an increase in blood pressure. One participant had a clinically significant drop in blood pressure and slowed heart rate following DMT. However, this effect was resolved after changing the participant's position.
Experiencing a psychedelic crisis and risk of psychosis and Hallucinogenic Perception Persisting Disorder: General risks for all psychedelics apply, you can read more under the Risk and Harm Reduction section of our website.
Risky behaviours and impulsive decision-making: As mental coordination whilst under the influence of drugs is impaired, this can lead to somebody doing something dangerous or deadly. Impaired judgment and false senses of certainty may also mean people under the influence make decisions that wouldn’t otherwise if they were sober, which can lead to adverse outcomes.
Difficulty “landing”: After experiencing profound changes in one’s sense of reality, it can sometimes be difficult to return to everyday life. Challenging experiences and being unable to understand or express the experience can leave people feeling isolated, confused, and distressed. Working with an integration coach or attending an integration circle can help people to make sense of their experience and ground back into everyday life.

How can the risks be minimised?

Avoid using DMT with stimulants, antidepressants and other serotonin-acting drugs to decrease risks relating to stimulant effects.
Having the correct set and setting will likely decrease the risk of a psychedelic crisis, read more under general psychedelic risks and harm-reduction advice.
By being in a safe environment with a trusted trip sitter present, this can help reduce the risk of adverse outcomes caused by impulsive decision-making and behaviors linked to impaired judgement.
Integrating a psychedelic experience has the potential to resolve trauma relating to difficult psychedelic experiences. Integration can also people process and learn-from psychedelic experiences. To learn more about integration and integration tools and tips, you can visit the “Psychedelic Integration” section of our website.

What are the potential benefits?

Scientific experiments have demonstrated both pure DMT and DMT-containing preparations of ayahuasca could be useful in the treatment of:”

Web Pages

Wiki DMT Nexus is a rich source of information covering all aspects of DMT collaboratively written by authors with personal experience: https://wiki.dmt-nexus.me/DMT
Webpage explanation for the differences between DMT and Ayahuasca: https://spiritvineretreats.com/ayahuasca-blog/ayahuasca-vs-dmt/
Information about Changa (smokable DMT mix that is commonly bought by street users): https://doubleblindmag.com/what-is-changa-smokeable-ayahausca/
Useful guide to help with integration of psychedelic experiences: https://psychedelictimes.com/integrating-a-psychedelic-experience-through-personal-and-spiritual-practices/
Video guide to DMT including the experience, trip report, science, myths, law, safety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ConB1jqknVw

References

Credit to Dr Andrew Gibson for contributing his medical expertise and background in harm-reduction to the process of making this content.