Location
Our Idaho Location
Located in Boise, Idaho, Northpoint Recovery is proud to offer quality drug and alcohol detox as well as alcohol and drug rehab in the Treasure Valley.
- Idaho
2335 E. State Ave,
Meridian, ID 83642
DMT Abuse and Addiction: What You Need to Know About This Hallucinogenic Drug
DMT is also known as dimethyltryptamine. It is a natural chemical produced by plants, animals and humans. It can be synthesized artificially, and it is used mainly for its psychedelic effects. These effects are very similar to what is experienced with LSD and magic mushrooms.
On This Page
What is Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)?
DMT is a drug that naturally occurs in many plants and animals. It has been called the spirit molecule because of the psychedelic experience that results from using it. It is much lesser known than other drugs of this nature. People are generally more familiar with magic mushrooms or LSD. However, because of its intensity, it is growing in popularity.
DMT is illegal to manufacture, purchase, possess or distribute in the U.S. It comes with a potential for abuse.
According to the Global Information Network About Drugs:
- DMT is a Schedule I drug in the United States. First time, non-violent offenders can be sentenced to life in prison for trafficking DMT.
- DMT has been known to provide a “doorway” into other dimensions.
- DMT has been discovered in more than 50 different plant species.
- Many people who have formed addictions to DMT rarely seek addiction treatment help.
- In 2014, 0.23% of people ages 12 and older admitted to having used DMT for recreational purposes.
- This percentage has increased since 2006 by about 19% each year.
The bottom line is that DMT is dangerous. It is a drug that can quickly take hold of a person, not necessarily physically but psychologically. The addictive nature of the drug comes from a yearning to experience its effects. The experience of it can change from trip to trip. Sometimes people are just curious about what the next trip has in store for them. This can eventually lead to an addiction.
Perhaps you’ve been using DMT, but you thought it was relatively harmless. You thought it was better for you not to use a heavy street drug, such as cocaine or heroin. Even so, this particular drug carries risks of its own. It's important for you to be aware of what those risks are.
Do you know as much about DMT as you should? Do you have an addiction to this powerful drug? Read on to learn everything you need to know.
It can have sedating effects for some people. However, DMT is primarily a hallucinogenic drug. One phenomenon it produces is known as DMT death. DMT death manifests as a sort of near death experience.
The interesting part of this is that within the brain, lies the pineal gland. Within the pineal gland lies a small amount of DMT. DMT is responsible for the dreams we experience at night while we sleep. Upon death, this chemical is released in full. This creates a psychedelic experience that really was only meant to be experienced when we die.
DMT is actually not physically addictive. However it does have components that are psychologically addictive. This can create a form of DMT dependence that is physical in nature. When people stop using it, they can experience both physical and psychological withdrawal.
The reason why DMT is not physically addictive is because it is metabolized very quickly by the body. It is metabolized so quickly that the CNS and brain don’t really have a chance at developing a chemical or physical dependence.
The DMT drug can be consumed in a number of different ways. It can be smoked or vaporized through a pipe or another device. It can also be brewed into a tea, snorted, or injected.
With that said, the most common way for DMT to be consumed is through snorting, injecting or smoking it. It is rarely administered orally. This is because DMT is inactive when administered through this method. The drug effects of DMT will only materialize if the user takes DMT with other substances that can prevent the stomach from breaking it down.
The DMT extraction process is quite involved. It is often extracted from the root bark of the Acacia confusa tree. This can be obtained in its powdered form. Most people prefer to purchase DMT online, and there are a number of different vendors.
DMT Street Names
DMT is not a popular drug in comparison to other psychedelics. In fact, statistics show that less than 1% of Americans aged 12 and up have ever used DMT. Most will opt for other drugs, like psilocybin or LSD. As a result, it’s not easy to find DMT illegally.
With that said, DMT does have several street names. They include:
- Businessman’s trip
- Businessman’s special
- Dimitri
- Fantasia
- Forty-five-minute psychosis
DMT is not a drug that most people can easily get from street dealers. Those who partake in using this drug will either brew their own ayahuasca at home or will take a trip to Peru or the Amazon.
DMT is produced in the pineal glands in the brain. It can be made from tryptamine. This is done by methylating the primary amine position twice. This means that two CH3 molecules are added to the nitrogen (N) molecule at the end.
What does this do? How does adding two CH3 molecules change this structure into DMT and make it a potent hallucinogenic.
It appears that methylating the structure allows it to interact with serotonin receptors. Once DMT is introduced into the body, it will quickly travel to the brain and attach to serotonin receptors there.
Studies show that DMT has apparently no toxic effects. It also cannot generate tolerance in users even with repeated use. This means that users won’t have to take more and more of this substance in order to experience the ‘life-changing and near-death experience’ that comes with it.
DMT is often found in its base form; however, it is more stable as a salt. This version is water-soluble, which means that it will dissolve in water. In its crystal form, DMT looks like white crystalline needles under high magnification. It will also sparkle. Under a certain degree of heat, DMT can also explode.
The chemical and pharmacological effects of DMT on the brain and central nervous system (CNS) is largely attributed to the fact that DMT has a similar structure to serotonin. As you can see from the image above, DMT and serotonin both possess 6 carbon sugars, 5 carbon sugars and carbon structures.
There are some minor differences. For example, serotonin has an amino group (NH2) while DMT has an amine group (N(CH3)2) attached to its end. There’s also a hydroxyl (OH-) group on serotonin.
These minor differences don’t make a huge difference in the brain. The similarity in the structure allows DMT to attach to serotonin receptors, also known as 5-HT2A receptors. This is believed to cause the strong emotional response that most people get upon taking DMT. These receptors are also responsible for the effects of other psychedelics. For example, MDMA, LSD and psilocin are believed to interact with serotonin receptors as well.
Studies have also shown that DMT users will have more serotonin receptors. This phenomenon is witnessed among those who have taken DMT once every two weeks. The extra serotonin receptors help regulate mood. These implications show that DMT can affect the neuroregulation of the brain. The increase in serotonin receptors can also help treat depression. DMT users may feel happier or may find greater joy in everyday things. To understand more about this phenomenon, take a look at the video below:
While serotonin receptors are necessary for the hallucinogenic effects of DMT, they, alone, are not enough. Many studies have looked at the other pharmacological mechanisms of the DMT drug effects. Nowadays, studies have determined that the DMT effects are also attributed to an interaction with the following receptors:
- Glutamate
- Dopamine
- Acetylcholine
- TAAR
- Sigma-1
We'll look at these interactions in more detail below. This may give you a better understanding go how DMT works. It's important to remember that DMT is produced naturally in the brain as well. As a result, it already has some established biological and chemical pathways.
A group of glutamate receptors are also believed to mediate the hallucinogenic drug effects of DMT. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that excites nerve cells in the brain. In normal conditions, this molecule is responsible for both learning and memory. Many researchers now believe that glutamate plays an essential role
But, how does this work? Does DMT directly interact with glutamate receptors? Turns out, the interaction may be attributed to serotonin receptors. Scientists believe that glutamate receptors are stimulated once serotonin receptors are stimulated. This may show that glutamate and serotonin receptors co-localize and form heteroreceptor complexes. In short, the glutamate receptors are like a second messenger.
Another important neurochemical affected by DMT is dopamine. Dopamine is known as the 'feel-good' chemical or the 'reward' chemical. It encourages a person to do the same activity to get another release of dopamine. Many people attribute addiction to dopamine fluctuations.
Those who lack dopamine or have low levels of it may struggle with some mental health disorder. In fact, those who have a co-occurring mental health disorder will usually have low dopamine levels. Their dopamine levels will fluctuate drastically.
With that said, DMT does not directly affect dopaminergic properties. This means that it does not attach itself to dopamine receptors. Instead, they release dopamine that's stored in presynaptic storages. This results in an indirect dopaminergic stimulant activity. This activity may add on to the hallucinogenic effects. More research is needed in this area.
There isn't a lot of research on the interactions between DMT and acetylcholine. In fact, this neurochemical is perhaps the least studied one of them all. With that said, the studies that have been conducted found that DMT reduces acetylcholine concentrations in some areas of the brain.
So, what does acetylcholine do?
It regulates many important functions in the body. It controls skeletal muscles and stimulates muscles in the body. It's also linked with learning, memory, arousal and attention. Low acetylcholine levels have been linked with memory diseases, like Alzheimer's.
Another receptor that DMT may interact with is Trace Amine-Associated Receptors (TAARs). These receptors are found in many areas of the brain, and they are also involved with cocaine and amphetamine abuse.
Trace Amine-Associated Receptors (TAARs) have many different roles. They have been known to stimulate cAMP production. This molecule is involved with the regulation of sugar, glycogen and lipid metabolism.
DMT also interacts with sigma-1 receptors. This is quite interesting, as this receptor has even known to play a role in several neurological diseases and conditions. For example, sigma-1 receptors have been known to be involved with:
- Addiction
- Amnesia
- Cancer
- Depression
- Pain
- Stroke
This receptor is found in many parts of the brain from the CNS to the liver to the pancreas and more. DMT appears to stimulate these receptors. This drug reduces inflammation via the sigma-1 receptors, and also regulates cell survival and proliferation rates.
All of this suggests that DMT may protect the neutrons. It also suggests that DMT has protective abilities during cardiac arrest, and may play a positive role during perinatal development and immunoregulation.
With that said, there is still insufficient research in this area. No one knows for sure the exact extent that DMT interacts with these receptors.
Read The Latest Recovery News and Stories
Read great recovery stories, learn about the latest treatments, and find out how addiction affects yourself and your loved ones in our blog.
Read Our Blog
The Use of Dimethyltryptamine in Humans
In 1994, a study regarding DMT use in humans was published in the Archives of General Psychiatry. Researcher, Rick Strassman led the study, and it was the first approved research project in 20 years on psychedelics.
There were 12 participants in the study. Each one was given DMT and then interviewed about their experience with the drug. Their trips peaked within two minutes, and they lasted for 30 minutes. The subjects reported seeing many different things as their trips took place. Some of them also had auditory hallucinations.
They explained their trips in many ways, including:
- Feeling sensations of euphoria mixed with anxiety
- Feeling a strong rush
- Seeing colorful images
- Closing their eyes, but still seeing the same images
- Seeing geometric patterns after the trip had ended
There were some positive points about their experiences. Some reported feeling more creative and motivated than they had in years. Others claimed that they felt as though they had started thinking on a different plane.
The study may have been risky. It’s even possible to argue that it could open up the door for the belief that DMT use is positive. The fact remains that this is a dangerous drug that can cause a lot of harm to those who use it.
The Presence of Another Entity
The reason why DMT is often called the ‘spiritual’ drug is because many people who use this drug often report feeling the presence of an entity after doing so. The entity can appear before them in many different forms. Some common examples include spirits, gods, reptiles, bees, dwarves and elves. Other DMT users report simply feeling the presence of an entity.
The interaction that each person has with this entity will vary. Some people claim that the entity welcomes them and makes them feel happy. Other people claim that the entity may probe, examine or inspect them. In some cases, DMT users feel that the entity is conveying a message to them through words, images or experiences. They may show them a different dimension. Last but not least, in some cases, users report feeling the presence of an entity, but having no interaction with it at all.
In most cases, the DMT users find the entity helpful. The entity is rarely reported to be antagonistic. Users also usually experience an overwhelming feeling that the entity is wise, powerful and loving.
How Much DMT to Take
Since DMT can produce such an intense effect, those who take the DMT drug need to be careful about how much they take. The amount that is taken will influence the intensity of the high.
DMT can be either inhaled or taken orally. Inhalation is the most common route of administration. When inhaled, the hallucinogenic effects of this drug will kick in within 30 seconds. They will last anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes. With this method of administration, the DMT dosage for most people is:
- 10 to 20 mg for a light effect
- 20 to 40 mg for a standard high
- 40 to 60 mg for a strong effect
In general, DMT is not usually taken orally. This is because the drug is inactive when taken through this route of administration. This only changes if the DMT drug is combined with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MOAI). The most common dosages taken orally ranges from 30 mg to 60 mg. When taken orally, the hallucinogenic effects can last for several hours. The hallucinogenic drug effects will kick in within 30 to 45 minutes.
Is It Possible to Develop a Tolerance to DMT?
Let’s say that you decide to take DMT, will you need to take a larger dose the next time that you use the drug again? The answer to this is no.
Studies have shown that users do not build any tolerance to this drug. A person can sit around and smoke DMT all day, and still only need the same dose in order to experience a trip. With that said, some people may try to use larger amounts to see whether they may have a stronger trip.
Plenty of celebrities have also taken DMT. They mostly have reported positive experiences, with some celebrities claiming that the experience was life-changing. Many musicians and singers have written songs about their experiences.
Instead of taking DMT straight out, most celebrities have taken ayahuasca. Some of the celebrities who have taken ayahuasca include:
- Paul Simon. No one knows how many ayahuasca sessions that he has had. However, his experiences became source material for one of his most popular songs, “Spirit Voices”. Paul Simon has not been shy about talking about his ayahuasca experiences.
- Chelsea Handler. For an episode of her Netflix series, Chelsea Handler drank ayahuasca. She reported having an amazing experience where she brought back to her childhood.
- Lindsay Lohan. She accredits her ability to get sober and off of drugs to ayahuasca. She claimed that the brew helped her release a lot of her pain, as she was dealing with the emotional aftermath of a miscarriage at the same time.
- Josh Radnor. Best known for his character, ‘Ted’, in How I Met Your Mother, Josh Radnor has also taken ayahuasca when he was in the Amazon. He’s been pretty tight-lipped about his experiences so far. However, he has hinted at his interest in writing a book about his experience.
- Ben Lee. He is one of the many musicians that have written songs about his experience with ayahuasca.
Many celebrities have taken ayahuasca. Most of them have had positive experiences with the drugs. Some of these celebrities were musicians, and others were actors or actresses.
Why Does the Brain Produce DMT? What Is It For?
There's still a lot of mystery surrounding N, N-Dimethyltryptamine. Scientists are still at a loss as to why this chemical is produced in the body at all. No one seems to know what purpose it may serve. The only thing that scientists know for sure is that the body produces DMT because it appears in trace amounts in human blood and urine.
But, what does DMT do to you? No one knows for sure.
Although no one knows exactly why DMT is produced in the human body, several hypotheses have been proposed. Some scientists claim that:
- DMT is released in large amounts when we dream. This creates the vivid dreams and imagery that we experience night after night.
- DMT is released as our last attempt to keep our cell alive. DMT binds to sigma-1 receptors. These receptors are responsible for protecting our bodies when oxygen levels are low. A sudden flood of DMT may be able to protect someone from dying.
- DMT is simply metabolic waste for the production of other chemicals in the body. With this last theory, DMT has no specific function at all in the human body.
While these theories could potentially be true, they could also be a crock of lies. This is because the concentration of DMT in the body is insufficient to actually stimulate sigma-1 receptors. Also, there's no proof that DMT is actively being produced in the brain.
Near-Death Experiences (NDE) and DMT
Although scientists don’t really have proof of what DMT actually does in the body, we do know what it can do. It can cause vivid imagery and it can cause a person to feel as if they are detached from their body. They may feel as if they are entering a different dimension. Some people even claim that they feel like they’ve lost a total sense of self.
“My body just didn't seem relevant any more”
Many people claim that a large enough DMT dose can have an effect that’s similar to a Near-Death Experience (NDE). Those who have experienced a ‘clinical death’ were asked to take DMT, and they reported that they often had the same experiences. Common elements between NDE and DMT use include:
- Seeing a bright light
- Having a sense of total detachment from the body
- Feeling secure and warm
- Encountering or feeling the presence of entities and spiritual beings
With that said, there’s no proof about what DMT actually does. Scientists also are not aware of whether the brain is flooded with DMT at time of death.
Learn the DMT Addiction Definition
It is important to define what DMT addiction is. Once you know the DMT addiction definition, it's much easier to tell if you are an addict.
The thing about DMT is that it isn’t a drug that you can get ‘physically addicted’ to. There are no physical withdrawal symptoms, and the body does not build a tolerance to it at all. It also doesn’t develop a dependence on the drug. This is because DMT is excreted from the body within minutes.
If a person is addicted to DMT, it’s all in their mind. DMT addiction is a psychological phenomenon. It happens when a person becomes confused or angry with their actual reality. They may have a desire to take DMT again in order to experience an intense trip. This ‘trip’ may be their escape from reality. They may start to neglect other responsibilities and obligations in favor of exploring another dimension in their mind.
The biggest issue with DMT is that it may warp one’s perception of the world. While some people may actually use their ‘trip’ to explore other aspects of their behavior, others may start to blur the lines between reality and delusion.
Because DMT doesn’t come with any physical withdrawal symptoms, like intense cravings or profuse sweating and shaking, it can be difficult to identify an addiction. Many people may not even realize that they are devoting all of their time and energy into this drug.
DMT abuse is different from having an addiction to this drug. For those who have not yet become DMT addicts, their use of DMT is purely recreational. It may be something they enjoy once in a while as a way to get high. However, it is not something they feel compelled to do regularly. People who abuse this drug will exhibit many of the common signs of DMT abuse. These might include:
- Seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations)
- Behaving irrationally
- Inappropriate moods
- Dilated pupils
- Higher than normal blood pressure
- Higher heart rates
These signs are relatively short-lived. DMT abusers can go months without using the drug without experiencing any ill effects. Even so, it’s important to note that DMT abuse does lead into addiction if the drug is not stopped.
DMT abuse always precedes the addiction, and dependence can occur at any time. It is more likely to occur if abuse takes place more and more frequently.
It’s also important to note that DMT is classified as a Schedule I Controlled Substance. It also has no approved medical use in the United States of America. As a result, any DMT use is technically considered abuse.
Maybe you regularly use DMT, but you didn't realize that an addiction was even possible. In fact, you may have been told that it was impossible to form a physical DMT dependence. While this is true, some patients may develop a psychological dependence.
If you're curious as to whether or not you do have an addiction to this dangerous drug, a drug addiction quiz may give you some further insight. This quiz can provide you with the insight you need into your own drug use behaviors.
You can also begin by answering a few simple questions about your DMT use. For example:
- Do you frequently find that you crave DMT? The cravings may simply be a huge desire to escape from reality. Those who are depressed are more likely to want to escape reality by using DMT. They may want to experience a new reality.
- Do you experience any form of withdrawal when you haven't used DMT? These withdrawal symptoms don’t necessarily have to be physical. They can be psychological as well.
- Do you constantly find yourself thinking about this drug when you're not using it?
- Do you hide your DMT use from the people you love?
- Have you lied about using DMT before?
- Have you gotten into legal trouble because of your drug use patterns?
- Do you have medical issues because you continue to abuse Dimethyltryptamine?
- Do you continue to use DMT despite the negative consequences of doing so?
- Have your friends and family told you that you have an addiction that needs treatment?
If you answered yes to more than one of these questions, it is very likely that you're addicted. If you are, there's no need to worry. The right DMT treatment can help you recover.
So, who is more likely to get addicted to DMT? Is there a certain demographic who is more likely to try this drug? And is that demographic more likely to get addicted?
There isn’t really any concrete answer. With that said, some studies claim that those who are struggling with mental health disorders, like depression, may be more interested in taking this drug for long periods of time. This is because the DMT may loft their mood and make them feel happier.
Those who are unhappy with their own reality and are looking for an escape may also take advantage of this drug. After all, DMT is one of the most intense psychoactive substances out there. It can give the user a very strong trip that makes them believe that they have gone to another reality.
Those who have friends or family who use DMT may also be more likely to take this drug. After all, it’s not easy to find DMT. Those who are looking for pure DMT need to find a reliable source. This is not an easy task. It’s much easier for people to get their hands on DMT via drinking ayahuasca, as it’s easy to locate a Shaman in the Amazon. Still, not many people may be willing to travel all the way there for that experience.
The good news is that a recovery from DMT won’t take long. This drug doesn’t come with any physical withdrawal symptoms or many psychological ones. Drug users do not develop a chemical or a physical dependence on the drug. Their addiction is all in their mind.
The DMT Drug's Effects on the Body
DMT's effects can be quite powerful. DMT does more than simply cause a user to hallucinate or go on a ‘trip’. There are also some negative effects as well. People report experiencing:
- A high heart rate, or a racing heart
- An increase in their blood pressure
- Pain or tightness in the chest
- Feelings of agitation
- Dilated pupils
- Rapid rhythmic eye movements
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting if drinking ayahuasca
- Auditory hallucinations
Some medical institutions claim that long-term use can have other effects that are more dangerous. These include chronic high blood pressure, a loss of muscle coordination and persistent headaches.. If it used in higher doses, it can even result in respiratory arrest, seizures and coma.
Also, the mental effects of DMT can linger for several days or even weeks after using the drug For those who use it with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, it can have serious consequences. In fact, the DMT may exacerbate their mental illness and make it a lot worse.
Is it Possible to Overdose on This Drug?
Current research shows that it is not possible to overdose on this drug. Those who take too large of a dose may have a bad trip, but that’s it.
With that said, there has been an incident where a 19-year-old from Bristol died from drinking too much ayahuasca, or yage. The overdose death could be due to the interactions of DMT with other chemicals in the brew. Henry Miller, the victim, drank 3 cups of ayahuasca at a ceremony, but told his family that he felt nothing. Two days later, he attended another ceremony where he quickly fell ill. No one knows exactly what is the cause of death.
Ayahuasca Vs. DMT: What are the Differences and Similarities?
Many people use the term 'DMT' and 'Ayahuasca' interchangeably. However, they're not the same thing. Ayahuasca contains DMT, but DMT does not contain all of the chemical compounds found in ayahuasca.
For hundreds of years, South America indigenous people have made ayahuasca, which means 'vine of the dead'. This drug is still available in Peru and in the Amazons. In fact, many tourists may even try ayahuasca while they're there.
Ayahuasca is a type of brew that contains several ingredients. The ingredients used to make this drug will vary from place to place and from one tribe to another. The brew is mainly used in healing ceremonies that are overseen by shamans. Its goal is to help people connect with a greater power, as most people claim to meet spiritual figures once the drug kicks in.
Once users drink ayahuasca, they'll go through a 'purging' process. This involves both vomiting and diarrhea. It's not a fun experience. It’s important to note that almost everyone that has drunk ayahuasca claim that it smells and tastes disgusting.
Many people believe that this purge is crucial for the overall experience. After purging, they'll find themselves moving to different realities. Their perception shifts, and they may even see deities or figures. Some people claim that they revisit past memories, and others report seeing their own inner demons and vices. The entire experience can last several hours.
Ayahuasca is a cultural experience for some people. DMT, on the other hand, is merely a compound that is found in many plants. It's also believed to be naturally produced in the brain. It has psychoactive properties by mimicking serotonin.
Depending on where you get the ayahuasca from, different ingredients are found in the brew. Most people agree that traditional ayahuasca is made from two specific plants: B. caapi and P. viridis.
B. caapi contains tetrahydroharmine (THH) and P. viridis contains N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). The THH is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, or MAOI. This compound is responsible for making people feel sick. It also stops your stomach and body from breaking down the DMT in P. viridis.
This means that DMT comes solely from P. viridis. This compound is responsible for the DMT trip.
There are other MAOIs in ayahuasca. They play different roles. Some have are believed to have psychedelic effects as well. Another study found that one of the MAOIs in ayahuasca actually stimulates new brain cell growth.
So, what do ayahuasca ceremonies look like? The only place that you can legally drink ayahuasca is in the Amazon or in Peru. In these countries, ayahuasca is legal. In the U.S., it is not.
Ayahuasca ceremonies are extremely spiritual. You'll drink the brew under the guidance and supervision of a respected Shaman. Expect to spend a long night with the Shaman, as he or she guides you toward a deeper connection with the entity.
Ayahuasca is always referred to as a feminine entity. The voice of the entity that users hear is almost always female. 'She' will guide you on what you need to work on in life.
Before the ceremony, you must adhere to a special diet. The Shaman will tell you what you can and cannot eat. If you do nota here to this diet, the ayahuasca will remove all toxins from your body. This includes sugar, salt, alcohol and caffeine. This results in what is known as a purge. Many people will purge or vomit during the ceremony. If your body is cleansed, there will be nothing to purge.
During the ceremony, the Shaman will sing an icaros. This is an integral part of the ceremony. The song is believed to help enhance the effects of the ayahuasca.
When a person drinks ayahuasca, they can usually expect their trip to last several hours. Meanwhile, the effects of DMT usually lasts for a much shorter period of time. If DMT is smoked, the trip lasts about 5 to 20 minutes. If it is snorted, the effects can last longer.
The answer lies in the method of ingestion. Since ayahuasca is drunk as a brew, the active compounds need to be absorbed by the stomach lining. This takes DMT longer to get into the bloodstream, and even longer to reach the brain.
On the other hand, when DMT is ingested, it is usually smoked. The compound basically immediately diffuses into the bloodstream through the lungs. This is also why a DMT trip is usually more intense.
What About MDMA Vs. DMT?
MDMA is a completely different chemical from DMT. MDMA is not a naturally occurring psychedelic. Otherwise known as Molly or ecstasy, MDMA is a synthetic chemical that is often used as a party drug. This drug comes in the form of a capsule, tablet or pill, and is taken orally.
MDMA interacts with three different neurochemicals in the brain: serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. It can also increase prolactin and oxytocin levels in the body. These chemicals are responsible for creating a feeling of euphoria. Those who take MDMA often report feeling loved.
It can also affect different regions of the brain. For example, brain scans show that MDMA causes activity in the amygdala to decrease. This region of the brain is responsible for regulating fear and perceiving threats. Those who take MDMA may be more likely to engage in risky or dangerous behavior and activities,
Unlike DMT, MDMA can drain a person's supply of serotonin in the brain. This can leave the user feeling depressed for days after the last MDMA dose. This drug also comes with some negative side effects, like:
- A rise in blood pressure and body temperature
- Muscle tension
- Blurred vision
- Dehydration
- Heart and kidney failure
- An irregular heartbeat
- Nausea
- Profuse sweating
- Chills
Some of the side effects can be life-threatening. If a person doesn't drink enough water after taking MDMA, they could die.
With that said, some scientists and researchers have proposed that MDMA may be able to treat certain mental health disorders. They are currently seeking funding for research in this area.
Some scientists have hypothesized that DMT can be used to treat more serious addictions, like an addiction to heroin or cocaine.
DMT has been used by several researchers in B.C., Canada to treat addiction. In 2013, one study provided the hallucinogenic brew, ayahuasca, to 11 treatment-resistant participants. The participants were addicted to a variety of substances.
Dr. Gerald Thomas led the study. He is a director of alcohol and gambling policy with the B.C. Health Ministry and a collaborator with the Centre for Addictions Research. He claimed that eight participants had a positive experience. Some were even able to quit or reduce their substance use entirely.
The entire idea comes with a lot of controversies. There's not a lot of research on the effects of long-term DMT drug use. As a result, no one can really speculate whether there are any significant downsides that may come in the future.
Graham Hancock, a British author and historian, had a thought-provoking 2013 TEDx Talk on the subject. This TEDx talk is now banned from the TEDx Youtube Channel, but you can take a look it below:
Unfortunately, ayahuasca and DMT are both controlled substances. Technically, they are illegal to use although it is legal to sell and possess plants that contain DMT.
As of right now, it doesn't appear that pharmaceutical companies have any interest in exploring how DMT can help treat addiction. Funding for this type of research may need to come from the federal government or from the state.
In addition to being able to help treat addiction to harder drugs, some preliminary studies suggest that DMT may also help treat depression and anxiety. Most of the studies have been conducted using ayahuasca, instead of DMT itself.
In an open-label trial for ayahuasca, those who were struggling with depression found that one dose of ayahuasca could improve their depressive symptoms for up to 21 days. Another study found that those who participated in ritualistic use of ayahuasca has reduced anxiety scores.
Many drug abusers use than one substance at a time. They may have several drug addictions at the same time. Using more than one substance at a time is known as polysubstance abuse or polydrug abuse. Polydrug abuse can be very dangerous as the effects of both substances may be magnified. Those who abuse more than one drug at a time have an increased risk of cardiac arrests and depression.
Most people who choose to take DMT will have such a profound trip that they won’t be abusing it with any other drugs. With that said, we’d still like to explore whether mixing DMT with other drugs may be dangerous. After careful research, we’ve come up with the table below:
|
DMT |
|
|---|---|
| LSD | Low risk and synergy |
| Mushrooms | Low risk and synergy |
| DMT | Low risk and synergy |
| Mescaline | Low risk and synergy |
| DOx | Low risk and synergy |
| NBOMes | Low risk and synergy |
| 2C-x | Low risk and synergy |
| 2-C-T-X | Low risk and synergy |
| 5-MeO-xxT | Low risk and synergy |
| Cannabis | Caution |
| Ketamine | Low risk and synergy |
| MXE | Low risk and synergy |
| DXM | Low risk and synergy |
| Nitrous | Low risk and synergy |
| Amphetamines | Caution |
| MDMA | Low risk and synergy |
| Cocaine | Low risk and synergy |
| Caffeine | Low risk and synergy |
| Alcohol | Low risk and decrease in synergy |
| GHB/ GBL | Low risk and decrease in synergy |
| Tramadol | Unsafe |
| Benzodiazepines | Low risk and decrease in synergy |
| MAOIs | Low risk and synergy |
| SSRIs | Low risk and decrease in synergy |
Tramadol affects your serotonin receptors as well. As a result, it is unsafe to use Tramadol and DMT together. With that said, you should never mix DMT with any other substances just to be safe.
Dimethyltryptamine Addiction Recovery Can Help You
If you believe that you do have an addiction to DMT, addiction recovery can help you more than you realize.
With any type of drug, it's difficult to stop using it once addiction has occurred. With DMT, the desire to escape from reality can become overwhelming. It can easily lead you back to using again. This creates an addiction cycle that can make quitting even harder in the future.
Professional DMT treatment offers you certain tools to increase your chances of a successful recovery. These include:
- Providing you with unconditional, professional support.
- Offering you a treatment plan that has been designed specifically for you.
- Introducing you to individual therapy. This will help you learn why you chose to start using DMT in the first place. It will also help you understand why you became addicted.
- Providing you with access to group therapy. This is essential because it offers you peer support and counseling.
- Offering family therapy sessions, which can help to repair damaged relationships in your life.
The right DMT rehab makes all the difference in the world. If you have an addiction to DMT, don't put off getting the treatment you need.
DMT and Detox
With many other types of addiction, the substance abuser will need drug detox. There are two different types of detox services: medical and holistic.
Medical detox involves taking medications to help remove all toxins from the body. As DMT is quickly excreted from the body and does not come with any lasting physical withdrawal symptoms, medical detox is not necessary. With that said, those who are having a difficult time adjusting to reality may be prescribed some medications that can help them feel more stable.
Holistic detox is a bit different from medical detox. It uses only natural approaches to help patients feel better. This can include anything from exercise therapy to better nutrition to counseling. Holistic detox services aim to improve a patient’s mindset. This type of detox can be particularly helpful when it comes to a DMT addiction.
You may have a loved one who is either abusing or addicted to the DMT drug. If you do, this is a heartbreaking situation. You want nothing more than to be able to help your family member. However, you’re not sure how to even begin.
The best approach is to talk about the situation. It’s important to bring up your concerns regarding the addiction. When you talk with your loved one, be blunt about how you feel. Tell them that you’re worried about the risks involved with using this drug. Talk with them about the effects, and the changes you’ve noticed in their life.
Of course, you should be prepared for this not to make them desire a change. If they don’t see a need for treatment after your talk, you should consider scheduling an intervention. This will allow them to hear the concerns that other people may have about their drug use. It’s even possible that after the intervention, they’ll be more willing to get help.
Where to Find DMT Rehab for Long-Term Recovery
DMT addicts often feel as though they're at a loss when it comes to finding DMT rehab. Many people are unfamiliar with this drug, and so, it can make it hard to find treatment. Many addictions are very much the same, as far as how they work in the brain and body. This means that any drug rehab program should offer DMT rehab as well.
At Northpoint Recovery, we offer DMT treatment for those who are abusing or may be addicted to this drug. We understand its hallucinogenic effects, as well as the power of DMT dependence. We know how difficult it might be for you to even think about stopping your use of it. However, we also have seen many others successfully get sober when they have the right tools in place. We would like to be able to offer you our services. DMT addiction recovery is possible.
Are you participating in DMT abuse? Do you have a DMT addiction? Either way, please contact us today so that we can assist you in starting your recovery.
Full Infographic:
