DMT (N, N-dimethyltryptamine) is a substance that can cause hallucinations. You can become addicted to DMT, but not in the same way that opiates or cocaine do. In this article, we will tackle what DMT is, how it works, and how being addicted to DMT is different from being addicted to other drugs.
What Is DMT?
DMT has been used in religious rituals and ceremonies for a long time, especially in South America. In some ways, it is similar to other popular hallucinogens, such as mushrooms and LSD. This psychedelic drug makes you have a series of visual and auditory hallucinations.
DMT is a hallucinogen found naturally in both plants and animals. The powdered form of the drug can be found on plants not only in South American countries like Brazil but also in North America and Asian countries.
In Canada, DMT is illegal under Canadian federal criminal law and is considered a controlled substance. This means that DMT does not meet the current safety standards, has no proven medical use, and has a high risk of drug abuse.
DMT has a chemical structure similar to some medicines used to treat migraines. For most people, the drug’s peak effects usually happen within three to five minutes and last for thirty to forty-five minutes. It might last a little longer if you make it into tea and drink it.
Why Do People Take DMT?
Taking DMT, which can cause euphoria and hallucinations, might help a person gain spiritual insight or have a psychedelic experience. People have very different reactions to this substance, which is one of the reasons why it might be dangerous. Some people who take the drug say they experience terror or intense anxiety. Others say that their experience while on the drug is life-changing or very profound.
When DMT is taken by mouth, it often adversely affects the digestive system. Some of these adverse effects are vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. DMT can also raise your heart rate and blood pressure. Some of the mental side effects of DMT can last for several days up to a few weeks after taking it.
How Is DMT Consumed?
Since it does not get into the bloodstream when taken by mouth, DMT can’t be used orally. For DMT to have its psychoactive effects, it must be taken orally with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
Ayahuasca is a brewed tea often used by tribes in the Amazon as part of their traditional shamanic rituals. It is known to have the DMT compound. To make ayahuasca, certain parts of the plant are boiled with plants that have DMT in them. These vines and plant parts happen to contain natural MAOI.
In addition to drinking ayahuasca, there are other ways to use DMT, such as:
- Smoking: Since inhaling DMT can be harsh, it is usually mixed with other herbs and plants. This mixture is called “change.” There is no one way to make change. Thus, the ingredients can be anything.
- Snorting: DMT crystals are ground into a powder and inhaled or snorted through the nose.
- Injecting: Even though it is possible to inject DMT into a vein or muscle, you should never do this because it is very dangerous.
What Are the Side Effects of DMT?
Since DMT has been used in religious and cultural events for a long time and because it is a naturally occurring chemical, people think it is entirely safe to use. However, this is not always the case. Several potential adverse effects can happen when you take DMT, and some can be dangerous.
As discussed earlier, serotonin syndrome is one of the worst side effects of taking DMT. In addition to the risk of serotonin syndrome, DMT can also cause intense hallucinations, which are sometimes enjoyed by some users but can be terrifying for others. Other side effects that could happen if you take DMT are:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Faster heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Rapid eye movement
- Dizziness
- Agitation
- Paranoia
Such adverse effects could last for weeks after taking DMT. People with mental health issues like schizophrenia are more likely to have dangerous side effects when they take DMT. Even though not much research has been done on the drug, most people think the adverse effects can escalate to life-threatening effects like convulsions and coma.
Again, even though DMT is not physically addictive in the same way that other drugs are, it can still cause psychological dependence. Those who use it often risk becoming emotionally and socially isolated because of their habit. This makes it hard for them to keep up with their responsibilities and maintain relationships.
A desire for DMT is another sign that someone might be using it, as is continuing to use it even though it makes them feel bad.
Is DMT Addictive?
To fully understand how dangerous DMT is, you need to know how it affects your brain chemically. DMT has a structure very similar to that of serotonin, a naturally occurring neurotransmitter in your brain. Taking DMT raises your serotonin levels, thus, making you feel euphoric experiences.
On the other hand, taking antidepressants that also raise your serotonin levels along with DMT can lead to potential adverse side effects. This is because having too much serotonin in your body can lead to serotonin syndrome. Some of the effects that can happen due to this condition are high blood pressure, headaches, and a loss of muscle coordination.
There is a bit of a gray area regarding whether or not DMT is addictive. Even though more research needs to be done on the topic, it is essential to know that DMT and serotonin are linked. DMT may lead to a psychological addiction or dependence over time because it changes how neurotransmitters in your brain work and how signals are sent to each other.
DMT Tolerance
DMT is not physically addictive, but you can quickly develop tolerance to this substance. So if you keep taking DMT and your body gets used to it, you must take more of the substance to feel the same effects. So, even though DMT may not produce a full-blown physical addiction in the same way that other drugs are, some things about it make it seem like it is.
But unlike other drug addictions, DMT addiction does not lead to withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking the substance. This makes being addicted to DMT different from being addicted to other drugs. You may have a problem with DMT if you become obsessed with it or if you build up a tolerance for it.
DMT Addiction
When dealing with most drugs, including opioids, there are usually two different parts of treatment that need to be addressed. The first kind of addiction affects the mind, and the second kind affects the body.
Physical Dependence or Addiction
If you have a physical addiction to something, your body will become more and more dependent on it. If you stop using a drug your body is used to, you may have withdrawal symptoms. How bad these symptoms are and what symptoms depend on the drug used and how long it was used.
For instance, opioids and alcohol can cause nausea, vomiting, sweating, pain, and other symptoms when you stop using them. But when you stop using DMT, you will not experience DMT withdrawal symptoms.
Psychological Dependence or Addiction
There is no current evidence that DMT causes a physical addiction, so treatment for DMT addiction focuses mainly on the psychological addiction or dependence that may have developed from the drug use.
When you take DMT, you risk becoming psychologically dependent on that drug. In the case of psychological addiction, some signs of a problem are continuing to use the drug even though it has side effects or not being able to stop using the substance even though you want to.
Is DMT Dangerous?
People often take DMT to feel its psychedelic effects, which are similar to those of LSD. However, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) both say that the effects of LSD can last for up to 12 hours or more. On the other hand, the effects of DMT may only last for minutes to hours, depending on how much is taken and how it is taken.
As a result, DMT is preferred by those who want to experience the hallucinogenic or “mind-altering” effects of drugs like LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline but don’t want them to last for long periods.
There isn’t much reliable information about DMT abuse and addiction. Fortunately, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) releases reports yearly about how many people in the United States abuse illegal drugs. In these reports are numbers about how many people have hallucinogenic drug abuse and addiction.
According to the most recent research, just over a million adults over 12 years old have admitted to using hallucinogens in the past years. Even though the numbers are not as high as for other drugs, many people who use these substances are youth, raising many concerns.
Other Products You Can Use as an Alternative for DMT
DMT naturally occurs in plants, but it can be a very dangerous substance to use. If you are planning to use the drug to relieve chronic pain or enjoy a powerful high, here are some alternative substances you can use instead:
- CBD: CBD is a non-psychoactive compound in cannabis plants that can help you in managing chronic pain, insomnia, and mental health disorders. Although it does not induce psychological effects, it is one of the most effective and safest alternatives for alleviating symptoms of various health issues. CBD comes in various forms, such as CBD tinctures and CBD edibles.
- THC: If you want to experience a powerful high without hallucinogenic effects, try the psychoactive component of cannabis, THC. Depending on the cannabis strain, this substance can provide a wide range of effects, such as a relaxing high with couch-lock effects or an energizing high that can promote creativity and stimulate appetite. You can find it in the form of cartridges, flowers, edibles, and more.
You can find such products here on Ahuevo. Order now to get your discreet parcel within the day through our same-day delivery service around selected areas.
FAQ
Recently, psychedelic chemicals like DMT have been talked about as possible treatments for mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. But when used this way, psychedelic drugs should be combined with psychotherapy. However, more research and clinical studies are needed to understand and prove the effects of DMT and its possible benefits and risks.
Even though DMT doesn’t make you physically dependent on it, that doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous to use. Abusing DMT can cause serious side effects, from triggering a mental health disorder to causing unpredictable and scary hallucinations. DMT abuse can also mess up your body’s serotonin levels, and it should never be mixed with any other chemicals, especially:
Medicines for high blood pressure
Diet tablets
SSRI drugs, which include Prozac,
Central nervous system depressants like Xanax, Ativan, and others
Barbiturates
Alcohol
Tranquillizers
Cocaine
Opioids
If the dose of DMT is raised, the psychosis will likely worsen. People high on DMT have been known to jump off balconies and roofs. Many of the deaths were caused by people who took part in ayahuasca ceremonies in the South American rainforests, which are usually in remote places with limited access to medical care.
Detox treatment: Since DMT does not cause withdrawal symptoms, getting rid of it from the body and brain is usually not a complicated process. The hallucinogen detox treatment process mainly deals with withdrawal symptoms from other drugs.
Residential treatment: Most people with DMT addiction need to stay in a residential treatment center for the length of their treatment. The main goal of professional treatment is to find and fix the problems that led to drug use, as well as to help the person find ways to deal with problems that do not involve DMT use.
Day treatment: This DMT treatment involves participating in daily activities while living at home or in a sober house.
Dual Diagnosis: When a person has a dual diagnosis, this means they have both a mental health disease and a substance use disorder. Treatment must address both conditions to give the person the best chance of getting better and returning their health and function to normal.