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'''Injection''': Injected DMT produces an experience similar to inhalation in duration, intensity, and characteristics, although by some accounts it is more emotionally clinical (versus spiritual).
'''Injection''': Injected DMT produces an experience similar to inhalation in duration, intensity, and characteristics, although by some accounts it is more emotionally clinical (versus spiritual).


'''Oral ingestion''': DMT, which is broken down by the digestive enzyme [[monoamine oxidase]], is inactive if taken orally, unless combined with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). The traditional South American [[ayahuasca]], or yage, is a decocted tea-like mixture containing DMT. There are a number of admixtures to this brew, but most commonly it is simply the leaves of ''[[Psychotria viridis]]'' (containing DMT), and the vine ''[[Banisteriopsis caapi]]'' (the MAOI). Other DMT containing plants, including ''[[Diplopterys cabrerana]]'', are sometimes used in ayahuasca in different areas of South America. A common source in the western US is [[Reed canary grass]] or ''[[Phalaris arundinacea]]'', and [[Harding grass]] or ''[[Phalaris aquatica]]''. This invasive grass contains high levels of DMT and other alkaloids . Taken orally with an appropriate MAOI, DMT produces a long lasting (over 1 hour), slow onset, high intensity experience. MAOIs should be used with extreme caution as they can make common over-the-counter drugs and foods toxic.
'''Oral ingestion''': DMT, which is broken down by the digestive enzyme [[monoamine oxidase]], is inactive if taken orally, unless combined with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). The traditional South American [[ayahuasca]], or yage, is a decocted tea-like mixture containing DMT. There are a number of admixtures to this brew, but most commonly it is simply the leaves of ''[[Psychotria viridis]]'' (containing DMT), and the vine ''[[Banisteriopsis caapi]]'' (the MAOI). Other DMT containing plants, including ''[[Diplopterys cabrerana]]'', are sometimes used in ayahuasca in different areas of South America. A common source in the western US is [[Reed canary grass]] or ''[[Phalaris arundinacea]]'', and [[Harding grass]] or ''[[Phalaris aquatica]]''. This invasive grass contains high levels of DMT and other alkaloids . Taken orally with an appropriate MAOI, DMT produces a long lasting (over 1 hour), slow onset, high intensity experience. MAOIs should be used with extreme caution as they can make common prescription, over-the-counter drugs and foods toxic.


Induced DMT experiences can include profound time-dilation, visual and audio hallucinations, and other experiences that, by most first hand accounts, defy verbal or visual description. Professor [[Alan Watts]] described the effects of DMT as "Load universe into cannon. Aim at brain. Fire."
Induced DMT experiences can include profound time-dilation, visual and audio hallucinations, and other experiences that, by most first hand accounts, defy verbal or visual description. Professor [[Alan Watts]] described the effects of DMT as "Load universe into cannon. Aim at brain. Fire."

Revision as of 23:30, 17 June 2006

Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
Chemical name 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-
N,N-dimethylethanamine
Chemical formula C12H16N2
Molar mass 188.27 g/mol
Density 1.099 g/ml
Melting point 49 °C and 74 °C
(two different crystal structures)
Boiling point 160 °C at 0.8 hPa
(reduced pressure)
CAS number 61-50-7
SMILES CN(C)CCC1=CNC2=C1C=CC=C2
Chemical structure of dimethyltryptamine

Dimethyltryptamine, also known as DMT and N,N-dimethyltryptamine, not to be confused with 5-MeO-DMT, is a hallucinogenic tryptamine, similar in structure to the neurotransmitter serotonin. DMT is created in small amounts by the human body during normal metabolism. Pure DMT at room temperature is a colorless waxy or crystalline solid. DMT was first chemically synthesized in 1931. It also occurs naturally in many species of plants. DMT-containing plants are used in several South American shamanic practices. It is one of the main active constituents of snuffs like yopo and of the drink ayahuasca.

DMT is not orally active unless it is combined with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as harmaline. Without an MAOI, the body quickly metabolizes DMT, and it therefore has no significant hallucinogenic effect.

Hallucinogenic properties

DMT is a powerful psychoactive substance. If DMT is smoked, injected, or orally ingested with an MAOI, it can produce powerful entheogenic experiences including true hallucinations (perceived extensions of reality). A trip sitter is often employed to assist the drug user in staying physically and mentally healthy, and, in the case of smoked DMT, to catch the pipe when the user loses awareness of it.

Smoked: If DMT is smoked, the maximal effects last for a short period of time (5 - 30 minutes +). The onset after inhalation is very fast (less than 45 seconds) and maximal effects are reached within about a minute.

Insufflation: If DMT is insufflated (snorted through the nostrils) it will last slightly longer than if smoked and has less powerful effects.

Injection: Injected DMT produces an experience similar to inhalation in duration, intensity, and characteristics, although by some accounts it is more emotionally clinical (versus spiritual).

Oral ingestion: DMT, which is broken down by the digestive enzyme monoamine oxidase, is inactive if taken orally, unless combined with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). The traditional South American ayahuasca, or yage, is a decocted tea-like mixture containing DMT. There are a number of admixtures to this brew, but most commonly it is simply the leaves of Psychotria viridis (containing DMT), and the vine Banisteriopsis caapi (the MAOI). Other DMT containing plants, including Diplopterys cabrerana, are sometimes used in ayahuasca in different areas of South America. A common source in the western US is Reed canary grass or Phalaris arundinacea, and Harding grass or Phalaris aquatica. This invasive grass contains high levels of DMT and other alkaloids . Taken orally with an appropriate MAOI, DMT produces a long lasting (over 1 hour), slow onset, high intensity experience. MAOIs should be used with extreme caution as they can make common prescription, over-the-counter drugs and foods toxic.

Induced DMT experiences can include profound time-dilation, visual and audio hallucinations, and other experiences that, by most first hand accounts, defy verbal or visual description. Professor Alan Watts described the effects of DMT as "Load universe into cannon. Aim at brain. Fire."

In a 1988 study conducted at UNM, psychiatrist Rick Strassman found that approximately 20% of volunteers injected with high doses of DMT had experiences with a perceived alien entity.

ATC code ?
Bioavailability ?
Metabolism ?
Elimination half life ?
Excretion Urine
Pregnancy category ?
Legal status US: I CA: III UK: 1/A
Delivery Vaporized, injected, or orally in combination with MAO inhibitors
Indicated for:
  • ?

Recreational uses:

Unethical uses:

  • ?

Other uses:

Contraindications:
  • Potentially fatal if currently taking an MAO-Inhibitor, such as many common anti-depressants
  • Do not use if suffering from Schizophrenia or similar conditions, or if such runs in your family.

Chemistry

DMT is a derivative of tryptamine with two additional methyl groups at the amine nitrogen atom. DMT is often synthesized by the Speeter-Anthony synthesis from indole using oxalyl chloride, dimethylamine, and lithium aluminium hydride as reagents. DMT is usually used in its base form, but it is more stable as a salt, e.g. as a fumarate. In contrast to DMT's base, its salts are water-soluble. DMT in solution degrades relatively fast and should be stored protected from air and light in a freezer.

Speculations

Several speculative and as yet untested hypotheses suggest that endogenous DMT, produced in the human brain, is involved in certain psychological and neurological states. As DMT is naturally produced in small amounts in humans and other mammals[1] (although the mechanism is not yet understood), some believe it plays a role in dreaming, near-death experiences and other mystical states. It has been speculated by the researcher Jace Callaway that DMT might be connected with visual dream. It is also speculated that DMT can be found in elevated amounts during times of visual dreaming or after near-death experiences.

Writers on DMT include Terence McKenna and Jeremy Narby, though scientists who study psychedelic drugs treat their writings with skepticism. McKenna writes of his experiences with DMT in which he encounters entities he describes as "Self-Transforming Machine Elves". Other users report visitation from external intelligences attempting to impart information. These Machine Elf experiences are said to be shared by many DMT users. From a researcher's perspective, perhaps best known is Rick Strassman's DMT: The Spirit Molecule (ISBN 0892819278); Strassman also proposed that DMT is made in the pineal gland, although this is only speculation.

DMT is classified in the United States as a Schedule I drug. In December of 2004, the Supreme Court lifted a stay thereby allowing the Brazil-based União do Vegetal (UDV) church to use a decoction containing DMT in their Christmas services that year. This decoction is a "tea" made from boiled leaves and vines, known as hoasca within the UDV, and ayahuasca in different cultures. In Gonzales v. O Centro Espírita Beneficente União do Vegetal, the Supreme Court heard arguments on November 1st, 2005 and unanimously ruled in February 2006 that the U.S. federal government must allow the UDV to import and consume the tea for religious ceremonies under the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

DMT is classified in Canada as a Schedule III drug.

DMT, along with most of its plant sources, is classified in France as a stupéfiant.

DMT is classified in the United Kingdom as a Class A drug.

In Brazil there are a number of religious movements based on the use of Ayahuasca, usually in an animistic context that may be shamanistic, sometimes mixed with Christian imagery.

The plot of the movie Blueberry (based on the comic Blueberry) touches DMT practices of Native Americans. The movie also features scenes of a DMT induced psychedelic experience. Recent web discussion with the creator of the film has indicated that the visions are meant to represent the use of various plants, the classic ayahuasca mixture being one of these. In addition, Datura and Mescaline related visions are conveyed.

At the start of chapter 15 of the book The Black Angel by John Connolly (copyright 2005), DMT is referenced as a drug used to control people through instilling and then relieving fear via hallucinations.

The first letters of the Shpongle's "Divine Moments of Truth" track from the Are You Shpongled? album stand for DMT.

Writer Warren Ellis mentions DMT in several of his works (including Global Frequency).

William S. Burroughs's The Yage Letters is also related to his search for ayahuasca.

The late Terrence McKenna was a longtime champion of DMT and wrote several books based on his experiences. The compilation "Noizemaker" of psychedelic trance by Lukasz includes a track with a sample of Terrence McKenna saying "I remember the first time I smoked DMT".

In the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the character "Truth", a drug dealer, offers DMT to another character along with several other drugs.

Danny Carey, drummer of the band Tool, is known to use DMT along with meditation.

The Tool song "Rosetta Stoned" (as well as the filler/lead up track "Lost Keys") possibly concern DMT use. (Although the song mentions blotter explicitly: "blotter got up on top of me / got me seeing E-(omitted)-T" and, therefore, probably refers to an LSD experience. However, there is speculation as to wether or not it even says blotter: "Bottom got up on top of me". Also, the alternate title for the track "Lost Keys" is "Blame Hofmann," in reference to Dr. Albert Hofmann, who is credited with discovering the compound.)

The song "Severed Hand" by Pearl Jam involves DMT usage.

Brazilian ayahuasca churches

References

  • Clifford A. Pickover (August, 2005). Sex, Drugs, Einstein, and Elves: Sushi, Psychedelics, Parallel Universes, and the Quest for Transcendence. Smart Publications. ISBN 1890572179. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link) (discusses DMT and implications for our understanding of reality)
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