Artsy Shot: One Galaxy further.
A contribution by Mehmet and Kate
Executive Summary
DMT is a potent psychedelic substance miraculously found naturally in various plants and animals, including the human body. DMT is considered one of the most potent and fastest-acting hallucinogens. It is often valued for its intense and mystical effects, which many people describe as life-changing. With our DMT guide (aka DMT 101), you will now learn everything you need to know about the "molecule of the mind."
You've slowly worked your way up, first a few seemingly harmless magic mushrooms, then a bit more LSD, but somehow the universe is still calling you. Maybe you've even participated in an Ayahuasca ceremony or at least heard that someone who knows someone has done it before and had groundbreaking visions. Your curiosity is piqued – and questions are bubbling up inside you: "What exists that we cannot see or even grasp?", "What does one encounter 'on the other side'?", perhaps even "What happens to me after death?", "Can I even die?".
Questions upon questions, which a single experience of just 10-15 minutes might answer. Sounds too good to be true – at least it's not that easy and certainly not to be taken lightly! In our DMT 101 (aka our DMT guide), you will now learn everything you need to know about this ultra-magical substance: Please read it through before any journeys, so you don't get stuck in the tunnel. (More on the tunnel later!)
What is DMT? (History & Origin)
Nature that inspires
DMT stands for N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, a potent psychedelic tryptamine alkaloid. Dimethyltryptamine has been used for thousands of years in ritual and shamanic practices in South and Central America, particularly as the main active ingredient in the traditional brew Ayahuasca. In these practices, DMT is derived from plants such as Psychotria viridis (known as Chacruna in Peru and Brazil) and Diplopterys cabrerana, both of which contain DMT. The drink is often prepared with the vine Banisteriopsis caapi, which contains harmala alkaloids and acts as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). This MAOI allows the DMT to become active in the body when taken orally and prevents it from being broken down by stomach acid beforehand.
However, dimethyltryptamine is not limited to Ayahuasca plants. It occurs in numerous other plants and even in some animals. A common misconception, however, is the assumption that DMT is found in the Colorado River toad (Bufo alvarius). The toad does not produce DMT, but 5-MeO-DMT, a similar but significantly more potent substance – more on that soon, so stay tuned. The toad's secretion is dried and smoked to experience the psychoactive effects. (Please do not go hunting for toads now – they are protected in the wild and their secretions can be dangerous if used improperly!)
Fascinating substance Dimethyltryptamine
But now back to the actual substance DMT: The German-Canadian chemist Richard Helmuth Fredrick Manske first synthesized DMT in 1931, but without recognizing its psychoactive properties at the time. The psychedelic effects of DMT were only later explored in the 1950s through clinical studies and the discovery of its use in indigenous rituals – the earliest DMT guide definitely came from the deepest jungle.
DMT is an indolamine, similar to psilocybin, and also occurs in small amounts in the human body. It is suspected that it is synthesized in the brain by the enzyme indolethylamine N-methyltransferase from the amino acid tryptophan. Why DMT occurs in the human body is still not fully understood. Some researchers suspect that it is produced in the pineal gland and could play a role in dreams, near-death experiences, or altered states of consciousness, but this hypothesis is still controversial. But now to the burning question that you probably want answered by our DMT 101...
How does Dimethyltryptamine work?
Unlike other classical psychedelics such as LSD or psilocybin, the effects of DMT, when smoked or vaporized, are immediately perceptible and very intense on consciousness, but relatively short-lived. The peak is usually reached within the first 2 to 5 minutes. The total duration of the experience is typically only 15 to 20 minutes. In the Ayahuasca brew, in addition to DMT-containing plants, the initially mentioned MAO inhibitors are added, which are supposed to slow down the breakdown of DMT in the body. Thus, it is common for the effect of Ayahuasca to set in a little later, but to last for 4 to 6 hours – "if you're going to do it, do it properly," the shamans probably thought.
DMT is one of the most intense psychedelic substances discovered to date. The effects are primarily visual and non-physical, but can also be auditory, albeit less commonly. Non-physical in this sense refers to anything we can perceive not with our senses, but solely with our consciousness, such as thoughts and feelings.
An Attempt at Description:
Most intense DMT trips, when smoked or vaporized, follow a similar pattern:
- I'm flying! Within moments of inhalation, the user is overcome by a sudden "rush." It may feel like flying at high speed through a tunnel or tube, to be catapulted out of the normal state of consciousness. Sometimes this tunnel appears endless, and the sense of time is so distorted that it can seem as if one is stuck there for an eternity – but with a little trust, you'll make the leap, I promise! Time and space begin to dissolve, and the normal perceptions of the physical world begin to fade.
- I see something you don't. Strong geometric patterns and colors flood the visual field. These can be kaleidoscopic and vibrant, with intricate shapes that seem to pulsate, transform, and shift. Travelers often describe them as fractal or sacred geometry.
- Adieu mon cherie (aka "I"): This phase is often referred to as "ego death." The sense of self completely dissolves, so travelers no longer have the usual notion of "I" or "me." They can completely lose awareness of their body or surroundings. This ego dissolution will be familiar to experienced travelers. Inexperienced travelers may have difficulties with this and may panic somewhat.
- Where am I? Many travelers describe being "transported" to alternative dimensions or planes of existence. These places often feel incredibly alien, hyperreal, or "more real" than ordinary reality. The environments encountered there can range from vast, open spaces filled with strange shapes and energy to more structured spaces like futuristic cities, temples, or organic landscapes.
- Who are you? One of the most commonly reported phenomena during a DMT experience is encountering "entities" or "beings." These beings are described in various forms, ranging from humanoid to mechanical, insect-like, or amorphous. The most well-known are probably the "Machine Elves" described by Terence McKenna.
- Not a word! Communication with these beings, if it occurs, is often more "telepathic" than verbal. Travelers describe receiving vast amounts of information instantly, including deep insights or cosmic knowledge.
- Return to Earth. After the peak, the geometric patterns and vivid images slowly fade. The travelers' self-perception and awareness of their surroundings return.
- Echo Chamber. For a certain period after consumption, travelers often report the *afterglow*, also known from LSD and psilocybin, which is a lasting feeling of calm, satisfaction, and euphoria – fortunately, it's similar with DMT.
From Godless to Divine: Effects of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine
The most impressive effects of DMT were probably recorded in this study:
More than half of those who identified as atheists before the experience no longer identified as atheists afterward. 1
It is no coincidence that the name Ayahuasca is a compound word in the Quechua language, with aya meaning soul, ancestors or dead, and wasca (huasca) meaning vine or rope, thus symbolizing a connection between everything.
As you can probably imagine now, the person traveling also loses their sense of time during a DMT trip. Some travelers report having traveled through the universe for "years" during their 12-hour Ayahuasca ceremony or their 15-minute DMT journey. Such subjective narratives show us again and again that our consciousness creates our reality – and that time might not even be real. For what else is there besides the now?
DMT and the "Breaking Through" Phenomenon
Many who intensely engage with dimethyltryptamine eventually encounter the term "Breaking Through." This describes the moment when the effects of DMT become so strong that the previously experienced visual and auditory phenomena are replaced by an entirely new reality. Instead of merely seeing patterns or colors, users seem to literally step into another world. Crossing this threshold does not automatically happen with every dose – it often requires a bit of courage, the right technique, and a suitable environment.
Those who experience this "breakthrough experience" often report an immense wealth of information, alien landscapes, and intense encounters with entities. Interestingly, many reports are similar in their structure, even if details vary. The other side often appears hyperreal, extremely detailed, and characterized by its own, hard-to-describe logic. The Breaking Through is for many the essence of a DMT experience – but beware: it not only brings beauty but can also be overwhelming or even challenging. Good preparation, trust in the process, and respectful handling of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine are therefore essential.
How is DMT consumed? (Application Guide)
The most popular and common method of consuming powdered DMT is smoking. This is usually done in a glass pipe or a bong – sometimes in combination with carrier materials such as herbs to burn the substance more evenly (keyword: Changa). Alternatively, DMT can be heated in a vaporizer, which is a gentler and more efficient method. This method often leads to a cleaner and more intense effect. Most clinical studies, however, administer DMT as an intravenous or intramuscular injection.
The dose makes the poison (or happiness?)
When smoking or vaporizing, a low DMT dose is 10 to 20 mg of pure DMT and will only produce mild to moderate effects. Between 20 and 35 mg, stronger effects already occur; ego dissolution may happen, and other "dimensions" may possibly be perceived. A high dose is considered to be more than 35 mg. Here, as described previously under "How does DMT work?", very strong effects will occur, the ego will dissolve, and you will get to know new dimensions and beings. Learning relevant Machine Elf language is not necessary; it will be downloaded, like in the movie Matrix, simply during the flight through the tunnel.
The dosage for Ayahuasca is more difficult to determine as the concentration in the plants and mixtures varies. The addition of MAO inhibitors, to turn a short experience into a long one, also changes the dosage. Regarding risks and side effects, consult the indigenous package inserts or ask your Curandera or Shaman.
Generally, as with all substances: Start low – go slow.
Detectability of DMT in the human body
DMT is broken down relatively quickly in the human body, as metabolism rapidly decomposes it. Nevertheless, it can be detectable for a short time after consumption, depending on the drug detection method and the type of consumption.
In blood and saliva, it is detectable for only a very short time, usually only a few hours. In urine, however, it can be detected for up to 24 hours.
Outro to N,N-Dimethyltryptamine
We hope that with our DMT 101 (DMT guide), we could give you a better feeling for this magical substance.
We are now extremely interested in what you have experienced on one of your DMT journeys – have you already had contact with Machine Elves? What did they teach you? We look forward to experience reports of all kinds, whether on Instagram, YouTube or by mail. And if you want to educate yourself about other substances, you can hopefully quench your thirst for knowledge with the following articles: Acid 101 (LSD guide) Microdosing 101, Fly Agaric Effects (Amanita muscaria guide) and Cannabis 101 (Weed guide) – and if you want to be high on your own supply: our Meditation 101 on Meditation & Enlightenment.
🙏🏻 Feedback: Did you like or find this article helpful? Do you have praise, criticism or other feedback? Then we would be immensely grateful for an email to mail@psychedelika.club or a review on Google.
4)
4)
4)
4)