Hallucinogens also carry a small risk of persistent psychosis and hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. You can build tolerance to DMT, especially if you use it in high doses and often. That means you might need to take more DMT to get the same effect. But even if you inject DMT, the chances of an overdose are very small.

1. Research from the 2021 Global Drug Survey found that 7.4% of respondents reported microdosing with DMT.
2. Indigenous cultures have often used it in religious rituals.
3. Scientific data suggests its effects on the brain might mimic those of a near-death experience.
4. Using DMT with other drugs or without support can be dangerous.
5. People who use ayahuasca often do so as part of religious or cultural rituals.
6. Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things health and lifestyle for more than a decade.

These can progress to the point where the person taking DMT can no longer distinguish reality from hallucination and may behave erratically. There is thus conflicting evidence on whether DMT is addictive. DMT can cause intense cravings for more doses because of its short duration of action (a result of how quickly it is metabolized by the body). DMT may not produce as many side effects as other hallucinogens, but that doesn’t mean it’s entirely safe. If you’re going to use DMT, there are a few things you can do to reduce your chance of having a bad trip or negative reaction. In the United States, the DEA considers DMT a Schedule I controlled substance.

But a range of physical and mental side effects accompany this powerful trip, some of which can be pretty unpleasant. While overdosing on DMT is not the same as with other hallucinogenic drugs, taking too much can have negative effects. DMT’s most well-documented and harmful interaction is its potential to cause serotonin syndrome. This is more likely in people taking antidepressants or other drugs that increase serotonin levels. However, people may develop a tolerance for this drug, meaning they need to take larger doses to feel the same effects each time.

Data from this survey indicates use has increased over time, with usage rates similar to methamphetamine. Research from the 2021 Global Drug Survey found that 7.4% of respondents reported microdosing with DMT. Microdosing is the practice of taking small doses of a drug to promote insight and creative thinking. To learn more about our programs and services, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact Us page or call us today. If you have been compulsively abusing DMT or any other hallucinogens, Lake Avenue Recovery can help you end this dangerous behavior and regain control of your thoughts and actions. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information.

Can DMT Cause a Bad Trip?

How much you use, any other substances you take with it (which isn’t recommended, by the way), and even your weight and body composition influence how it will affect you. Since DMT is illegal, there is aetna insurance coverage for drug rehab limited research that shows any benefits. These benefits remain prospective and experimental, not scientifically proven. Clinical studies have not generally tested its interactions with other drugs.

Powerful cravings and tolerance are common signs of addiction. If you’re going to use DMT, take precautions to make the experience as safe as possible. Make sure you know about any potential interactions with other substances you use, including any medications. Researchers can’t confirm whether DMT is addictive, like other psychedelics in its class. This means they’re not sure if you’ll develop a dependency on it. But in rare cases, overuse of high doses of DMT can cause symptoms of addiction, such as withdrawal symptoms if you stop using it.

If you have concerns about using DMT, tell your doctor about it. You can also reach out to addiction recovery centers that offer in-person or out-of-office treatment options to help you get your substance use disorder under control. Experts aren’t sure if DMT can cause long-term health effects. But in rare cases, it’s possible for the drug to cause seizures or a coma.

DMT Side Effects to Know About

When people think of drug overdoses, substances such as opioids and cocaine typically come to mind. But these aren’t the only drugs that can be extremely dangerous – or even deadly – when taken at unsafe dosage levels. DMT is a potent hallucinogenic drug that can dramatically alter a person’s perspective, consciousness, and sensory experiences. Some people find it transformative and life-affirming to have this experience. DMT is a hallucinogenic tryptamine drug that occurs naturally in various plants, such as Psychotria viridis or Chacruna.

The DEA reports that the drug is still encountered as an illicit drug in instances where it is purchased or manufactured illegally and marketed with other hallucinogens. Given the conflicting (and, at times, contradictory) evidence of DMT’s addictive potential, there is not yet a consensus on how addictive it truly is. Call 911 or head to the nearest emergency room if you or someone else experiences any concerning symptoms. Using DMT with other hallucinogens like LSD or magic mushrooms can make an already strong trip even more intense. Taking a higher dose increases your chances of a bad experience, as does using DMT if you’re in a negative frame of mind. DMT does come with some potential psychological and physical risks.

Can You Overdose on DMT?

A person who ingests LSD or psilocybin can expect to be under the influence of these substances for several hours. But if someone takes DMT, their psychedelic experience will often be over within about an hour. Cardiovascular problems might develop due to the elevated blood pressure that occurs with a DMT overdose.

When taken this way, it can have rapid effects (within seconds to minutes) and only lasts for 15–60 minutes. If someone does not address serotonin syndrome, it can cause life threatening complications, including seizures, kidney or respiratory failure, or loss of muscle tissue. Serotonin syndrome occurs when the body accumulates an excessive after the high the dea amount of serotonin. The condition is more likely in people taking a combination of different drugs. When smoked, DMT produces brief yet intense visual and auditory hallucinations that some users describe as an alternate reality, otherworldly, or a near-death experience. DMT is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States.

Is DMT Legal?

Additionally, DMT’s hallucinations and other effects are intense and powerful.[1] This can compel users to seek out more doses, suggesting a high potential of addiction. Using DMT while taking antidepressants, especially monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), can result in a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Increased heart rate and blood pressure are both side effects of DMT, which can be bad news if you already have a heart condition or high blood pressure.

Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life threatening condition that requires immediate medical treatment. Taking a high dose of DMT or using DMT while taking antidepressants can result in a condition called serotonin syndrome. As with the physical effects, the psychological effects of DMT vary from person to person and depend on the same factors.

For some people, this may not be enough time to develop a physical or a psychological need for more DMT, and they may not consider the drug worth the time or effort. Even though an overdose on DMT isn’t likely, it is nonetheless a powerful hallucinogenic antibiotics and alcohol drug. But several street drugs including DMT are often laced or mixed in with other dangerous substances such as fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, or morphine. People who sell them often lace DMT with additional substances as they can produce a stronger trip.

This means that it is illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, or distribute the drug. The substance has a high potential for abuse, no government-recognized medical use, and a lack of accepted safety parameters for use. Although less familiar than other psychedelics such as LSD or magic mushrooms, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) produces a brief but intense visual and auditory hallucinogenic experience. DMT is a powerful, naturally occurring substance that can produce hallucinogenic effects. Similar to hypertension, a DMT user is at risk for tachycardia because of the rapid heart rate brought about by DMT consumption. People who have pre-existing heart conditions, or who have other health issues that may cause heart problems, are especially at risk.