DMT Addiction, Abuse, And Treatment

What Is DMT?

DMT is an abbreviation for N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, a chemical which develops naturally in the brain as well as in plants indigenous to Central and South America. A Hallucinogenic drug, DMT typically takes the form of white powder. To experience its effects, people may smoke DMT with a pipe or brew it into drinks like Ayahuasca and Yagé. DMT users also sometimes inject the drug, although this is less common. DMT is sometimes called “Fantasia” or “Dimitri,” and it is among the least commonly-used drugs in the United States and throughout the world. Most people who try DMT have already experimented with other Hallucinogens.

The Effects And Risks Of DMT

DMT stimulates the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that causes feelings of happiness. DMT causes users to experience intense euphoria, hallucinations, and new perceptions of reality which people often characterize as life-changing. A DMT trip can begin instantly and generally lasts less than an hour when users smoke the drug. Users who drink DMT as a brew often begin to experience hallucinations that last for 4 to 6 hours after about 30 minutes. Some users report mild lingering effects that last for several days. On the physiological level, DMT can cause adverse side effects.

The possible physical side effects of DMT include:

• Dilated pupils and rapid eye movement
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Heightened body temperature
• Increased heart rate and hypertension
• Loss of muscle control
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain or tightness in the chest

Although many users laud the supposed benefits of DMT, the drug can substantially harm a person’s physical health and mental well-being. Since DMT causes the brain to release serotonin, high doses of the drug may send the body into a serotonin overdose. This condition might provoke seizures, obstruct breathing, or induce a coma. DMT can cause a person extreme anguish or even death.

While some DMT users have had positive psychological experiences with the drug, others have suffered DMT trips which they describe as confusing and terrifying. The psychological effects of DMT can be traumatizing, especially for people who are living with mental illnesses like schizophrenia.

DMT Dependence And Addiction

Unlike most Hallucinogens, there is little evidence that DMT causes tolerance or any physical withdrawal symptoms. For this reason, researchers generally do not believe that DMT is addictive. Furthermore, there is no evidence that using DMT on a long-term basis significantly changes or damages a person’s brain. However, DMT can cause psychological dependence when a person repeatedly uses it to escape reality. Some DMT users even consider the drug to be a source of therapy and take it regularly to feel better.

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When people use DMT in this way, they may eventually feel unable to stop using DMT and other Hallucinogens. The limited studies on the topic of DMT dependence suggest that DMT users can develop cravings for the drug and experience psychological distress when they cannot use it. Someone who develops a DMT habit is more likely to suffer its effects on their health. Behaviors which indicate DMT dependence include taking higher and more frequent doses of the drug, gathering supplies of it, and spending more money on it.

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DMT And The Law

DMT has been a Schedule I controlled substance since 1971. The United States government considers DMT to have no legitimate medical purpose and imposes heavy fines and imprisonment as punishment for the possession, manufacture, and sale of DMT. However, DMT is part of the rituals and traditions of several indigenous South American religions. In 2006, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government cannot prevent the practitioners of religions which consider DMT to be sacred from using the drug as part of their religious expression. Nevertheless, DMT remains illegal for the vast majority of Americans. Anyone who is using DMT is risking their life and liberty.

Find Treatment Today For DMT Abuse

If you or someone you know is struggling with a DMT habit, please contact a treatment provider today to learn more about recovery options. There are rehab centers and support groups throughout the country for people who need help with overcoming addiction.