DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) is a potent psychedelic compound that occurs naturally in some plants and animals and is used as a ritualistic entheogen in some cultures. As a recreational drug, it can be inhaled for a brief but intense experience or taken orally with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for a longer-lasting effect. DMT is a controlled substance in many countries due to its psychoactive properties.
Chemical and biological properties
- Chemical Formula:
C12H16N2cap C sub 12 cap H sub 16 cap N sub 2𝐶12𝐻16𝑁2 - Molar Mass: 188.274 g/mol188.274 g/mol188.274 g/mol
- Melting Point: 40 °C40 °C40 °C
- Boiling Point: 160 °C160 °C160 °C at 0.6 Torr0.6 Torr0.6 Torr
- Chemical Class: Serotonergic hallucinogen from the tryptamine family
- Source: Found in plants and animals, and synthesized by the human body
- Mechanism: Acts on serotonin, sigma, and trace amine receptors
- Metabolism: Metabolized in the body, with metabolites including NMT and DMT-N-oxide
Effects and administration
- Inhalation: Quickest onset (10-15 seconds) and shortest duration (up to 15 minutes).
- Oral (with MAOI): Slower onset (up to 1 hour) and longer duration (4-6 hours).
- Other routes: Can be administered orally, insufflated, rectally, or intravenously.
- Effects: Can produce profound, spiritual, religious, or mystical experiences, which some describe as overwhelming or terrifying, while others describe them as blissful or ecstatic.
Legal status
- DMT is a controlled substance in many parts of the world, including the United States (Schedule I) and the United Kingdom (Class A).
- Its legal status varies by country, with some nations permitting its use only for scientific research (e.g., Germany).
What is the drug DMT used for?
DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) is a strong psychedelic drug, which means it can affect all the senses, altering a person’s thinking, sense of time and emotions. Psychedelics can cause a person to hallucinate, seeing or hearing things that do not exist or are distorted.
What does DMT actually do to your brain?
At dosages consistent with the present study, DMT, a serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) agonist, induces a deeply immersive and radically altered state of consciousness. DMT is thus a useful research tool for probing the neural correlates of conscious experience.
What does DMT feel like?
Many people describe the DMT trip experience as a near-death experience. People often report feeling as if they are in an alternate world or dimension, or as if they have left their body. Some people describe vivid or bizarre visions. They may also feel a sense of security or warmth.
