DMT

How is DMT used?

DMT is most commonly smoked or vaporised in a pipe.^5-7

It can also be:

• drunk as part of an ayahuasca brew
• snorted
• injected.^{5, 6}

Effects of DMT

The use of any drug can have risks. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

DMT can affect everyone differently, based on:

• size, weight and health
• whether the person is used to taking it
• whether other drugs are taken around the same time
• the amount taken
• the strength of the drug (varies from batch to batch)
• the environment (where the drug is taken).

Onset and duration of effects

How fast a drug takes effect and how long it lasts can vary depending on how it's taken - for example, whether it's smoked or injected.⁸

• If smoked or vaporised: effects can be felt within seconds and can last for around 15 to 30 minutes.
• If injected into a vein: effects can be felt within 1 minute, peak after 2 to 5 minutes, and last about 10 to 20 minutes. Effects last for around 30 to 45 minutes if injected into a muscle.^{5, 9}

DMT has no effect when taken by mouth as the body breaks it down before it reaches the brain.⁹

Effects

Effects can include:

• a ‘rush’
• feeling happy and excited
• changes in mood
• increased sensitivity to bodily sensations (body aches, tingles, feelings of pain and pleasure, warmth and fatigue)
• increased heart rate and blood pressure
• small pupils
• anxiety and confusion
• intense visual hallucinations
• dissociation.^{5, 10}

Impact of mood and environment

Drugs that affect a person’s mental state (psychoactive drugs) can also have varied effects depending on a person’s mood (often called the ‘set’) or the environment they are in (the ‘setting’):

• Set: a person’s state of mind, previous encounters with the drug, and expectations of what’s going to happen. For example, feelings of stress or anxiety before using DMT may result in an unpleasant experience and make those feelings worse.
• Setting: the physical and social environment where you take DMT – whether it’s known and familiar, who you're with, if you're indoors or outdoors, the type of music or sounds, and lighting. The ideal setting to take DMT will vary based on the individual and drug they’re using. For example, using DMT in a calm, quiet and relaxed environment can lead to, or contribute to, a pleasant experience but being in a noisy, crowded place may result in a negative experience.¹¹

Bad trips

A ‘bad trip’ usually includes anxiety, paranoia, panic, or other negative emotions. People can also experience unpleasant or intense hallucinations.^{12, 13}

Taking a large dose of DMT can increase the risk of a bad trip. Other things like age, sex, personality, mental state, and previous experience with the drug, also affect someone’s experience.^{12, 13}

While a bad trip can be scary, it’s generally not life threatening and the effects will go away as the drug leaves someone’s system.^{12, 13}

Most bad trips can be managed by providing reassurance and emotional support.¹⁴

Being with trusted friends, in a good state of mind, and in a safe environment before taking any psychedelic drug reduces the risk of having a bad trip.^{13, 15}

Overdose

If someone takes a large amount, the negative effects of DMT are more likely.

Call triple zero (000) and request an ambulance if you or someone else has any of the following symptoms (emergency services are there to help and can provide more instructions).

• vomiting
• inability to move
• intense anxiety and confusion
• overwhelming fear and paranoia
• psychosis
• increased risk-taking.^{16, 17}

Learn more on overdose and drug-related emergencies.

Mixing with other drugs

Mixing DMT with other drugs can have unpredictable effects and increase the risk of harm.

Mixing includes using more than one drug (including alcohol or medications) at the same time, or one after another. You should also consider what drugs you’ve taken in the last 24 hours.

• DMT and Tramadol: may cause seizures.
• DMT and Cannabis: risk of anxiety, paranoia, panic, psychosis.
• DMT and ice/speed/cocaine: can increase risk of anxiety & negative thought loops, leading to a negative experience.^{10, 17, 18}

Using more than one drug or type of drug at the same time is called polydrug use.¹⁹

Reducing Harm

There are ways you can reduce the risk of harm when using DMT:

• Do your research first around the correct form of DMT to use, as well as what is a suitable dose and the safest method of use.
• Start with a lower dose until you know how the drug affects you personally. It will be different for everyone.
• Use around people you trust in a comfortable and safe environment
• Find a quiet relaxing place where you can sit or lie down if needed as the experience can be overwhelming and disorientating.
• Consider having a person to 'trip sit'. A person who remains sober and that can help out if needed.
• If you’re not in a good frame of mind, consider whether it is the right time to take DMT.^{17, 20}

Preparing for a psychedelic experience

Preparing before using psychedelics can improve your experience and reduce the risk of long-term negative effects.^21-26

Psychedelic preparation means getting yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically ready. It also involves making sure you’re in a safe environment before using DMT.^{24, 26}

Preparation usually includes:

1. Keeping an open mind about what to expect: accepting that the experience may be different from what you planned can help reduce anxiety. Try to ‘go with the flow’ (as long as you feel safe).
2. Understanding your mindset: be aware of your thoughts, feelings, and stress levels before using psychedelics. Some anxiety is normal, but if you feel very anxious or stressed psychedelics can make these feelings worse.
3. Creating a safe environment: choose a safe place where you feel comfortable. Pick a spot where you can easily get medical help if needed.
4. Preparing yourself physically: get enough sleep, eat well, and stay hydrated. Check for possible interactions with any medications or other drugs you’re taking.
5. Arranging trusted support: this can include a ‘trip sitter’ during the experience and talking through your thoughts and feelings with a trusted friend or therapist afterwards (also known as integration).^21-24

Coming down

There is little data on the comedown effects of DMT, reports suggest that you may experience:

• feeling a bit confused and unable to think clearly
• trouble concentrating
• feeling anxious or panicked
• feeling disconnected with your body
• racing thoughts or realisations
• trouble sleeping.^{27, 28}

Long-term effects

There’s limited evidence on the long-term effects of DMT.¹

In rare cases, use of DMT can cause:

• new or worse symptoms of some mental health conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder.^{9, 10, 29}

These effects are rare and are more likely to be experienced by people with existing mental health concerns.

Flashbacks and HPPD

In rare cases, use of DMT can cause flashbacks and/or Hallucination Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD).²⁹

Flashbacks and HPPD involve ongoing visual changes similar to the effects of psychedelics, even when the drug is no longer in the person’s system.²⁹

• Flashbacks: are brief visual distortions that can occur long after the drug was last taken. They usually have little or no effect on daily life and often stop within a few weeks or months.
• HPPD: involves long-lasting visual changes that can be distressing, disruptive, and can impact a person’s work or social life. HPPD is much less common than flashbacks and can persist for months or years.²⁹

There is limited research into the causes of HPPD. Most cases come after a traumatic psychedelic experience (‘bad trip’), higher doses, and/or combining drugs.²⁹

DMT and mental health

DMT may worsen or trigger the symptoms of certain mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, psychosis, and schizophrenia.^{9, 10}

Tolerance 

There is mixed evidence on DMT use resulting in tolerance.

Regularly taking DMT may lead to developing a tolerance, which means you need to take larger amounts to get the same effects. However, some evidence suggests that DMT does not cause any tolerance.^{9, 10, 28}

Dependence

There is no evidence that people who regularly use DMT will become dependent.⁹

Withdrawal

Withdrawal refers to the symptoms that can occur when someone who is dependent on a drug, or who has been using it regularly over time, stops or reduces their use.³⁰

Withdrawal can include physical symptoms (such as headaches, or nausea) and psychological symptoms (such as anxiety, or depressed mood).³⁰

Symptoms - including how strong they are and how long they last - will vary depending on the type of drug and a person’s history of use.³⁰

DMT is not known to cause any physical withdrawal symptoms. However, some people who use DMT may feel like they need it again for ‘insight’ or to have another meaningful experience.^{9, 28}

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There is very limited information on the impact of DMT on fertility, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.³¹

We don’t know how DMT may affect a baby’s growth during pregnancy, or their health after birth through breastmilk.³¹

At the moment, the best advice is to avoid using DMT if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

After pregnancy

DMT can affect your awareness of the people and things around you. This can make it harder to recognise or respond to risks to you or your baby.^{2, 28}

Make sure that there’s always a sober, responsible person present to look after your baby if you decide to use DMT, alcohol, or any other drugs.

Getting Help 

If your use of DMT is affecting your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situations, or you’re concerned about someone, there is help and support.

• Call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 for free and confidential advice, information and counselling about alcohol and other drugs.
• Search our Help and Support directory to find your preferred support, by adding your location or postcode and filtering by service type.

If you’re looking for other information or support options, send us an email at [email protected]