DMT - The Spirit Molecule

Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), also known as N,N-dimethyltryptamine, is a naturally-occurring tryptamine and potent psychedelic drug, found not only in many plants, but also in trace amounts in the human body where its natural function is undetermined. Structurally, it is analogous to the neurotransmitter serotonin and other psychedelic tryptamines such as 5-MeO-DMT and 4-HO-DMT. DMT is created in small amounts by the human body during normal metabolism by the enzyme tryptamine-N-methyltransferase. Many cultures, indigenous and modern, ingest DMT as a psychedelic in extracted or synthesized forms. Pure DMT at room temperature is a clear or white to yellowish-red crystalline solid. DMT was first chemically synthesized in 1931.

Inhaled: If DMT is smoked, the maximal effects last for a short period of time (5 to 30 minutes, dose-dependent). The onset after inhalation is very fast (less than 45 seconds) and maximal effects are reached within about a minute. In the 1960s, some reportedly referred to DMT as "The businessman's trip" due to the relatively short duration of vaporized, insufflated, or injected DMT. Smoking DMT is extremely difficult due to the overwhelming harshness of the smoke produced. Many users cough the smoke thus wasting the drug vaporized. The taste and smell of the smoke is reminiscent of burning plastic or mothballs.

Insufflation: When DMT is insufflated (snorted through the nostrils) the duration is markedly increased, and some users report diminished euphoria for increased "spiritual" qualities of effect.

Injection: Injected DMT produces an experience similar to inhalation in duration, intensity, and characteristics.

Oral ingestion: DMT, which is broken down by the digestive enzyme monoamine oxidase, is practically inactive if taken orally, unless combined with a MAOI. The traditional South American ayahuasca, or yage, is a tea mixture containing DMT and a MAOI. There are a number of admixtures to this brew, but most commonly it is simply the leaves of Psychotria viridis (containing DMT), and the vine Banisteriopsis caapi (the source of MAOI). Other DMT containing plants, including Diplopterys cabrerana, are sometimes used in ayahuasca in different areas of South America. Two common sources in the western US are Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and Harding grass (Phalaris aquatica). In addition, Mimosa hostilis or jurema shows evidence of DMT content: the pink layer in the bark of this vine contains a high concentration of N,N-DMT. These invasive grasses contain low levels of DMT and other alkaloids. Taken orally with an appropriate MAOI, DMT produces a long lasting (over 3 hour), slow, deep spiritual experience similar to that of psilocybin mushrooms, but more intense. MAOIs should be used with extreme caution as they can have lethal complications with some prescription drugs, such as SSRI antidepressants, some over-the-counter drugs, and many common foods.

Just because something is in your body, that doesn't mean you should be able to inject yourself with as much of it as you want.

I don't know a lot about DMT (nor do I really care), but ecstasy is a drug that makes use of something that already exists in your body, serotonin. It makes your body flood itself with serotonin, and that makes you feel good. Of course, it can have a very negative effect on your body, some of which may be permanent.

Something is not safe to use recreationally simply because it exists in your body. You may be able to survive just fine with a small amount of a substance inside of you, but when it is increased, it may cause horrible damage.

DMT apparently can give you a psychedelic experience. I certainly wouldn't want such a drug to be legal until many, many tests had been run to see how it affected humans, long-term. Typically, when something sends you on a trip, it's not good for you. It shouldn't be legalized just because "it's in your brain."