N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): Review of Its Psychedelic Profile
Abstract
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is an endogenous psychedelic substance that interacts with the serotonin system, known for inducing profound alterations in consciousness. DMT Trip Experience in science very interesting. These dramatic experiential shifts—especially in the so-called “breakthrough” state, often associated with a sense of disconnected awareness—raise important questions about the nature of consciousness and its neural basis. As DMT use becomes more widespread and clinical studies continue to expand, there is a growing need to deeply examine not just the structure of these experiences, but also their rich and often enigmatic qualitative content. This is particularly relevant given DMT’s intense and all-encompassing influence on the sense of self, frequently resulting in experiences that are ontologically unsettling but potentially transformative. [1]
General information about DMT trip experience [1-4]
Powder and crystalline solid possible of the can be seen in the picture.
Figure 1. Powder of DMT. DMT Trip Experience
The earliest documented human study involving DMT was conducted by Sai-Halasz and colleagues in 1958. In this pioneering research, 30 participants received primarily 0.8 mg of the compound via intramuscular injection. The study offered a broad overview of the subjective effects observed, which included changes in spatial perception, disruptions to bodily awareness (such as depersonalization), distortions in the experience of time, disorganized or delusional thinking, episodes of ego dissolution or memory loss, as well as emotional responses ranging from euphoria to anxiety.
Pharmacology[4]
MT Pharmacology and Receptor Activity
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a potent serotonergic psychedelic, primarily exerting its effects through partial agonism at the 5-HT2A receptor. While this interaction is central to its psychedelic properties, the precise mechanisms by which it produces such profound alterations in consciousness remain not fully understood. Additionally, DMT is believed to act as an endogenous ligand at the sigma-1 receptor, though the functional significance of this interaction continues to be investigated.
Oral Inactivity and MAO Inhibition
Unlike psilocybin and other orally active tryptamines, DMT is rapidly broken down by monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzymes, rendering it inactive when taken orally on its own. To overcome this, it is often combined with MAO inhibitors (MAOIs), either in pharmaceutical form (pharmahuasca) or through traditional plant-based preparations (ayahuasca), which allow the compound to become orally active by preventing its metabolic degradation.
Optimizing MAOI Timing
In ayahuasca, the DMT and MAOIs (typically harmala alkaloids) are consumed simultaneously. However, this method is not the most efficient for maximizing absorption. Contemporary users often adjust dosing schedules—administering MAOIs 10 to 50 minutes before ingesting DMT—to ensure the inhibitory effects are active when DMT is introduced, thus enhancing the psychedelic experience.
Routes of Administration and Trip Duration
DMT is notable for its wide range of administration methods, each yielding distinct durations and intensities. These can broadly be categorized into short-acting and long-acting DMT Trip Experience, depending on whether MAO inhibition is involved.
Short-Acting DMT Trips (typically without MAOIs):
- Smoked/Vaporized DMT: 10–60 mg; effects last 5–20 minutes
- Intravenous (IV) Injection: 4–20 mg; 10–30 minutes
- Intramuscular (IM) Injection: up to 80 mg; up to 45 minutes
- Insufflated (Nasal): Dosage uncertain; likely similar duration to smoked
- Smoked Changa (DMT-infused herbal blend): Variable dosage; up to 35 minutes
Note: Nasal and oral mucosal routes may involve partial digestion due to drainage into the stomach, reducing potency.
Long-Acting DMT Trips (with MAO inhibition)
- Ayahuasca and Analogues
- DMT-containing plant (e.g., Mimosa hostilis, Psychotria viridis): 35–85 mg DMT equivalent
- Harmala-containing plant (e.g., Banisteriopsis caapi, Peganum harmala): 140–240 mg total alkaloids
- Brew duration: 5–10 hours
Pharmahuasca:
- MAOI (harmalas or RIMAs): 140–240 mg
- DMT: 35–85 mg; duration: 5–10 hours
Other Methods with MAOI Co-administration:
- Rectal: up to 70 mg; 5–8 hours
- Sublingual/Intranasal: Doses presumed similar to rectal; duration uncertain
Hypothetical Long-Acting Routes (with prior MAOI use). These include non-traditional combinations such as:
- Smoked/Vaporized DMT
- IV or IM DMT
Presumed to extend duration compared to the same routes without MAOIs, though precise effects remain under-researched.
Seven Stages of a DMT Trip [2]
This guide provides a structured overview of the DMT Trip Experience, outlining the possible developments at each stage of the journey.
- Pre-trip
- Onset
- Come up
- Peak
- Offset (or coming down)
- After effects
- Long-Term Effects
Patterns and Perceptions in Naturalistic DMT Use: A 10-Year Retrospective Study [3]
Gaining a nuanced understanding of the phenomenology and qualitative content of inhaled N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (N,N-DMT) experiences is essential for advancing current research and informing emerging therapeutic approaches aimed at mental health and neurological conditions. This study involved a qualitative analysis of user-reported DMT Trip Experiences shared on the r/DMT subreddit over a 10-year span from 2009 to 2018. In total, 3,778 experiences drawn from 3305 individual posts were examined.
The reported median dose of N,N-DMT was 40.0 mg [interquartile range (IQR): 27.5–50.0 mg], with a median trip duration of 10 minutes (IQR: 5.0–15.0 minutes). Common physical sensations included altered somatic awareness (somaesthesias) in 37.5% of cases (n = 1,415), and auditory phenomena such as ringing in 15.4% (n = 583). Visual effects frequently involved geometric forms, fractals, and patterns (n = 1231; 32.6%), along with intense and vivid coloration (n = 953; 25.2%).
Encounters with entities were reported in 45.5% (n = 1719) of the experiences. These often involved feminine entities (n = 416; 24.2%), deities (n = 293; 17.0%), alien-like beings (n = 281; 16.3%), and creature-based forms such as reptilian or insectoid entities (n = 158; 9.2%). Mythological figures, including the commonly referenced “machine elves,” were noted in 8.4% (n = 144), while jesters appeared in 6.5% (n = 112). Most of these interactions were described as positive (n = 600; 34.9%), characterized by sensations of benevolence, protection, or emotional warmth. In 32.4% of cases (n = 557), the entities assumed the role of a guide, teacher, or companion.
Users also described recurring features of the “DMT realm,” including alternate dimensions or higher planes of existence (n = 952; 25.2%), various architectural forms and rooms (n = 582; 15.4%)—notably the “waiting room” (n = 105; 2.8%)—and tunnel-like structures (n = 390; 10.3%). Mystical-type experiences and episodes of ego dissolution were commonly reported. Additional themes included a profound sense of familiarity, as well as the alleviation or complete removal of the fear of death. Though less frequent, difficult or challenging experiences were also present in the dataset.
Expressions of deep insight or emotional impact were found in 6.1% (n = 232) of reports, with 1.2% (n = 47) explicitly describing the experience—or an aspect of it—as the most “beautiful” moment of their lives. Overall, this analysis highlights recurrent patterns and themes in the naturalistic use of inhaled N,N-DMT, providing valuable insight into its psychological and phenomenological landscape.
Negative DMT Trip Experience
Among the 1719 reported entity encounters, 196 (11.4%) were characterized as negative or distressing. The most frequently reported theme involved entities perceived as hostile—described as threatening, malevolent, violent, intimidating, or aggressive—in 92 cases (5.4%). In 57 instances (3.3%), entities were portrayed as angry, upset, unfriendly, frustrated, disappointed, or emotionally cold. Encounters marked by rejection, denial, or a clear sense of unwelcome were noted in 45 reports (2.6%). More extreme and disturbing experiences included 14 cases (0.8%) where individuals described being tortured or sexually assaulted by an entity, and 11 accounts (0.6%) involving sensations of being torn apart or consumed.
It Took Neal Brennan 18 Months to Recover From His DMT Trip. DMT Trip Experience
DMT Trip Experience Report
- Experience: 40mg smoked – Ego death
- Dosage: 40mg (high) smoked through a bong
- Setting: A darkened bedroom with music in the company of Josikins
- Age: 23
- Gender: male
This was my first encounter with DMT. The experience began after carefully preparing a bong loaded with approximately 40 mg of DMT, evenly blended with a small amount of cannabis. Once ready, we moved to a darkened bedroom upstairs and settled onto the bed.
To accompany the journey, I had curated a brief playlist featuring tracks by Friction and Mt Eden, which I planned to listen to through headphones throughout the experience.
Josikins helped by lighting the bong, allowing me to inhale the mixture. After a few deep draws, my perception shifted dramatically. My visual field became consumed by a kaleidoscopic spiral made of endlessly repeating shards—irregular triangles reflecting a fractured version of my surroundings. Rather than being filled with color, these shapes repeated warped fragments of my visual input.
The intensity of the visuals quickly escalated, and I reached a point where I could no longer continue inhaling. Normal functioning became impossible. I stopped smoking, the bong was removed from my hands, and I gradually reclined onto the bed, closing my eyes.
At that moment, I lost all sense of identity and bodily awareness—complete ego dissolution. My existence was reduced to pure perception. What remained was the music and an astonishing display of complex, multidimensional geometry. The patterns pulsed and shifted with the rhythm, bursting with thousands of colors and hues. I floated in this abstract space for several minutes.
Gradually, I began to reassemble a sense of physical presence. The first thing I noticed was a slight dampness on my body. Then came a sense of gravitational pull—as if I were falling into my own body from above. I awoke in the same position from which I had departed.
Sitting up at the edge of the bed, I opened my eyes. Visual distortions—trailing, drifting forms, and lingering geometric overlays—still filled my vision. I discovered the dampness was due to a small spill from the bong during my trip, though I hadn’t noticed it while detached from my body.
Next to me, Josikins sat in the same posture. I experienced a strange overlay: a translucent projection of myself was superimposed onto her form. In that moment, I felt a profound connection, a merging of identity—as though we were different expressions of a single consciousness. Though we were clearly distinct individuals, there was a brief and powerful recognition of shared essence.
After grounding myself further, we moved back downstairs to the living room and casually began a game of Cluedo. Lingering effects remained—mild bodily euphoria and subtle visual warping persisted for about ten more minutes before fading completely.
Figure 4 Ego Dead. DMT Trip Experience
Conclusion
DMT is a powerful psychedelic acting primarily on 5-HT2A receptors and requires MAOIs for oral activity. Its effects vary by administration route, with short-acting (smoked, IV) lasting minutes and long-acting (with MAOIs) up to several hours. Analysis of 3778 user reports revealed common experiences of vivid visuals, entity encounters (often positive), and profound ego dissolution. Users frequently described alternate dimensions, mystical states, and a loss of fear of death. A small percentage reported the experience as life-changing or the most beautiful moment of their lives.
Bibliography
- https://healingmaps.com/
- Lawrence D.W., Carhart-Harris R., Griffiths R. et al. Phenomenology and content of the inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine (N,N-DMT) experience. Sci Rep 12, 8562 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-11999-8 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-11999-8
- https://psychonautwiki.org/wiki/DMT#Pharmacology