Can You Overdose on DMT? Side Effects & Risks

Experts aren’t sure about the long-term effects of DMT. Anecdotally, some folks report experiencing lingering mental effects for days or weeks after using DMT. Severe vomiting may also occur after consuming ayahuasca tea.

Unlike psilocybin and LSD, you cannot simply ingest DMT due to the rapid pace at which your body metabolizes the substance. This prevents DMT from becoming active unless another compound slows its metabolism. An MAOI, or monoamine oxidase inhibitor, slows the rate at which the body metabolizes DMT allowing it to become active. Ayahuasca brews simply combine plants containing MAOIs and DMT to produce an orally active form of DMT.

Serotonin syndrome signs

• Nolan’s death is one of at least six known deaths at Peruvian ayahuasca retreats in recent years.
• At the Mandala Healing Center, we can provide the tools and support you need to recover.
• Though naturally occurring in some plant species, its synthetic form is often used recreationally for its brief but profound effects.
• Because the condition it was kept in, whether or not it was squeezed, potential impurities, and the oilyness of the substance plays an important role in the experience.
• Additionally, intravenous fluids may be administered to prevent dehydration and maintain blood pressure.
• The most common method of measuring a DMT dosage is in milligrams.
• DMT is one of the active ingredients in ayahuasca, a psychedelic tea native to South America.

This interaction is also being explored for its therapeutic potential in mental health disorders such as depression. Studies have indicated that DMT can bring about rapid improvements in mood, which has sparked interest in its use as a fast-acting intervention for treatment-resistant conditions. DMT is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound with a significant impact on human consciousness. Found throughout nature, including in the human body, DMT is part of the tryptamine class of compounds.

Indeed, it bears implications for our comprehension of near-death experiences and altered states of consciousness. DMT is known for its profound impact on human consciousness and perception. This impact is largely due to DMT’s interaction with serotonin receptors in the brain, specifically the serotonin 2A receptors (5-HT2AR). 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. Taking a higher dose increases your chances of a bad experience, as does using DMT if you’re in a negative frame of mind. Like most hallucinogens, DMT has the potential to take you on a bad trip, which can be overwhelming and terrifying.

• Natural DMT may be an extract or a dried plant that looks different depending on the form.
• Based on the data available so far, DMT is unlikely to cause tolerance, dependence, or physical addiction.
• This drug produces intense hallucinations that tend to be brief but profound.
• While it may not appear visually or physiologically comparable to alcohol poisoning or an opioid overdose, you can certainly overdose on DMT.
• But if you notice any signs of danger, such as trouble breathing or chest pain, call 911 immediately for medical attention.
• Powerful as it is, it appears to have the lowest side effect profile compared with other psychedelic drugs like LSD and magic mushrooms (psilocybin).
• Some people report feeling like they’re having a near-death experience or traveling to another world or dimension (and not in a fun way).

Recovering From Drug Addiction

Drug tolerance is the psychological adaptation that is the result of a person getting used to the drug. As their body adapts to the chemical changes forced by the drug, their response diminishes over time, and they derive less pleasurable effects from the same dose. If you use DMT in combination with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor like ayahuasca, you are at a higher risk of overdosing. While DMT is naturally occurring, that does not mean it is safe. Repeated use of DMT can lead to the development of conditions like hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD).

More on Substance Abuse and Addiction

Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a compound found in various plants and animals that’s used as a mind-altering drug. In large enough doses, DMT can give you a “high” and distort your senses so that you see or feel things that aren’t really there. Other names for DMT are Dimitri, businessman’s special, the spirit molecule, and elf spice. Boca Recovery Center is here to provide the best quality care in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. 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).

Serotonin syndrome warning

DMT first became widely popular in the 1960s and was quickly classified as a Schedule I drug because of its high potential for misuse and potential psychological dependence. Sign up for the Reality Bites newsletter and embark on a journey into the overdose on dmt world of psychedelics, mindfulness, and transformation. The Ultimate Guide to Cannabis BioavailabilityWhat is bioavailability and how can it affect the overall efficacy of a psychedelic substance? Common MDMA Dosage & Microdosing ExplainedMicrodosing, though imperceivable, is showing to have many health benefits–here is everything you want to know about microdosing MDMA. Ayahuasca Helps with GriefA new study published in psychopharmacology found that ayahuasca helped those suffering from the loss of a loved one up to a year after treatment. Microdosing DMT & Common Dosages ExplainedMicrodosing, though imperceivable, is showing to have many health benefits–here is everything you want to know about microdosing DMT.

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Research has shown that DMT creates hyper-connectivity among brain regions. Interestingly, regions linked to human-specific functions such as language and semantics are particularly affected. Unlike other psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin, DMT’s influence is fleeting, typically lasting only minutes. DMT is a powerful psychedelic known for inducing intense altered states of consciousness. Advanced brain imaging techniques, such as EEG-fMRI, have provided insights into how DMT affects brain function. Studies indicate that DMT alters brain activity, leading to vivid visions and a sense of entering other realities.

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things health and lifestyle for more than a decade. If you or someone else experiences these systems during or after DMT use, call 911. DMT shouldn’t be taken with opioids, especially tramadol, because of an increased risk of seizure. Get cost-effective, quality addiction care that truly works. Nolan’s death is one of at least six known deaths at Peruvian ayahuasca retreats in recent years. Among the drug’s victims was Kyle Nolan, an 18-year-old California man who traveled to the jungles of Peru in 2012 to participate in an ayahuasca retreat.

At the Mandala Healing Center, we can provide the tools and support you need to recover. If someone is overdosing on DMT, they need emergency medical intervention to recover. Unlike opioid overdoses, there is not a medication like Naloxone to reverse a DMT overdose. Instead, treatment focuses on managing specific symptoms and ensuring the patient remains stable. DMT is naturally occurring; however, when you abuse it, you are using a synthetic version of the compound.

While uncommon, you can also experience an overdose from taking too much DMT at once. There are both short-term and long-term side effects of DMT that can endanger your health. An individual’s weight and body compensation can influence how the drug will affect them. It is essential to be aware of these overdose symptoms, as they can represent medical emergencies requiring immediate attention. Such signs should prompt an urgent medical response to mitigate the risks and provide necessary care.

People with a history of mental health issues seem to have a higher risk, but it can happen to anyone, even after a single exposure. Don’t take DMT with other drugs, recreational or prescription, or mix with alcohol. Being in a positive set and setting when doing DMT can help prevent a bad trip. Like all drugs, DMT can cause side effects, both short-term and long-term.