WHAT IS DMT?

DMT - you've probably heard of it - but what exactly is it? It is used in many kinds of psychedelic drugs such as in Ayahuasca. But did you know that we also have DMT in our own bodies? Yes we do! For a long time it was thought that this could not be true, but research shows that it really is. In this article, we will tell you all about what DMT is, how to use it and what the effects are.

What is DMT?

Dimethyltryptamine is better known as DMT, a psychedelic substance that is both found in nature and can be made in the lab. The substance exerts influence on your nervous system, causing you to experience altered functioning. When you take it, the stimuli that enter your brain are perceived differently from how you normally experience them. You can read exactly what effects you experience later in this article.

Dimethyltryptamine in our body

DMT originates in nature. It is produced by many organisms and is found in all kinds of plants, grasses, sea sponges, toads and mammals, among others. The surprising thing is that we also make the substance ourselves in our bodies. Like other organisms, it is produced in the pineal gland. This is a small organ in the brain that plays an important role in the production of melatonin. A hormone that takes care of our biological clock. But why exactly DMT is produced in our bodies is still a mystery.

Types of DMT

There are several species of this psychedelic substance found in nature. A brief overview of the different types:

N,N-DMT: the most common variety. Whenever DMT is mentioned anywhere, they are usually talking about this substance. This is also the name of the substance found in our bodies
5-MeO-DMT: five times stronger than regular DMT
Bufotenine: one of the first tryptamines isolated by chemists
Psilocybin: the substance that gives magic mushrooms and magic truffles psychedelic effects.

Why dimethyltryptamine is banned

Like cocaine, heroin and LSD, the psychedelic substance falls under hard drugs and is listed on List 1 of the Opium Act. Its use is therefore banned in the Netherlands. According to some not entirely justified, as various studies show that DMT is not physically addictive or harmful to your body. However, it does take you out of reality for a certain period of time, making participation in society more difficult. And if you use it for these reasons, it can be very attractive to use it more often.

How do you use DMT?

You can use DMT by smoking, sniffing or spraying it. You can smoke DMT using a special DMT pipe. It is not exactly easy and takes some practice. For instance, the first thing you have to do is weigh out a good dosage to then be able to smoke it. And when you start smoking this, you have to take it in one long gulp. Next, you have to hold your breath and let the smoke do its work. The smoke is just very dirty and chemical, so this is not much fun.

Another means of ingesting this psychedelic substance is by drinking Ayahuasca. This is a concoction of often leaves (DMT) with a vine. For the first 20 to 60 minutes, you start to get weak legs and feel a bit tired and nauseous, but after that it happens! It gives you a super trip full of visual effects and emotional rollercoasters. You may perceive completely new worlds and dimensions, and your ego may even die.

The effects of DMT

The effects of Dimethyltryptamine are very strong and often occur immediately after ingestion. Especially if you start inhaling it. For many, using this substance produces a fantastic trip, but there are downsides to it too. Read more about the effects and risks in the overview below.

Mental effects

Euphoric feeling
Different perception of sounds
Different perception of shapes, light and colours.
Change of time and space. For example, spaces may seem larger and time often moves slowly.
New insights into life or life wisdom.

Physical effects

Increased heart rate
Increased blood pressure
Increased body temperature
Pupils may dilate
Use may cause nausea and dizziness.

Risks

Using the psychedelic substance is not physically addictive. Too little research has been done on whether it can also be mentally addictive. In any case, DMT is non-toxic and is harmless to our bodies. But its use can pose some risks:

Difficulty breathing
Uncomfortable feeling in the stomach and/or vomiting
Feeling panicky, anxious or paranoid
Restlessness in the body

These are possible risks, and many users experience no problems. However, this varies from person to person and largely depends on what your mood is when you take psychedelics and in what place you do it.

Tips for a safe trip

Would you like to use DMT? Then we have some tips for you:

Because you lose your sense of balance, it is helpful to sit or lie down
Make sure you have a trip sitter who knows what to do and can help in dangerous situations
Have you ever suffered a bad trip? Then watch out with DMT. There is a good chance you will have another bad trip.
Be careful with drugs
You may not get visions, but more dizziness, increased blood pressure and nausea.
Make sure you are in a good mood. Only then will you get the best trip experience!