Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound of the tryptamine family. Its presence is widespread throughout the plant kingdom. DMT occurs in trace amounts in mammals, including humans, where it may putatively function as a trace amine neurotransmitter. It is originally derived from the essential amino acid tryptophan and ultimately produced by the enzyme INMT during normal metabolism. The significance of its widespread natural presence remains undetermined. Structurally, DMT is analogous to the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT), the hormone melatonin, and other psychedelic tryptamines, such as 5-MeO-DMT, bufotenin, and psilocin.
Abstract
Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound of the tryptamine family. Its presence is widespread throughout the plant kingdom. DMT occurs in trace amounts in mammals, including humans, where it may putatively function as a trace amine neurotransmitter. It is originally derived from the essential amino acid tryptophan and ultimately produced by the enzyme INMT during normal metabolism. The significance of its widespread natural presence remains undetermined. Structurally, DMT is analogous to the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT), the hormone melatonin, and other psychedelic tryptamines, such as 5-MeO-DMT, bufotenin, and psilocin.
When ingested, DMT acts as a psychedelic drug. Depending on the dose and method of administration, its subjective effects can range from short-lived milder psychedelic states to powerful immersive experiences; these are often described as a total loss of connection to conventional reality with the encounter of ineffable alien realms.
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Street Names
Deems
History
DMT was first synthesized in 1931 by Canadian chemist Richard Helmuth Fredrick Manske (1901–1977). Its discovery as a natural product is generally credited to Brazilian chemist and microbiologist Oswaldo Gonçalves de Lima (1908–1989) who, in 1946, isolated an alkaloid he named nigerina (nigerine) from the root bark of jurema preta, that is, Mimosa tenuiflora. However, in a careful review of the case Jonathan Ott shows that the empirical formula for nigerine determined by Gonçalves de Lima, which notably contains an atom of oxygen, can only match a partial, "impure" or "contaminated" form of DMT.[14] It was only in 1959, when Gonçalves de Lima provided American chemists a sample of Mimosa tenuiflora roots, that DMT was unequivocally identified in this plant material. Less ambiguous is the case of isolation and formal identification of DMT in 1955 in seeds and pods of Anadenanthera peregrina by a team of American chemists led by Evan Horning (1916–1993). Since 1955 DMT has been found in a host of organisms: in at least 50 plant species belonging to 10 families, and in at least 4 animal species, including one gorgonian[17] and 3 mammalian species.
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Pharmacology
It has also been shown to possess affinity for the dopamine D1, α1-adrenergic, α2-adrenergic, imidazoline-1, sigma-1 (σ1), and trace amine-associated receptors. Agonism was demonstrated at 1 μM at the rat trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) and converging lines of evidence established activation of the σ1 receptor at concentrations of 50–100 μM. Its efficacies at the other receptor binding sites are unclear. It has also been shown in vitro to be a substrate for the cell-surface serotonin transporter (SERT) and the intracellular vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), inhibiting SERT-mediated serotonin uptake in human platelets at an average concentration of 4.00 ± 0.70 μM and VMAT2-mediated serotonin uptake in vesicles (of army worm Sf9 cells) expressing rat VMAT-2 at an average concentration of 93 ± 6.8 μM.
As with other so-called "classical hallucinogens", a large part of DMT psychedelic effects can be attributed to a specific activation of the 5-HT2A receptor. DMT concentrations eliciting 50% of its maximal effect (half maximal effective concentration = EC50 or Kact) at the human 5-HT2A receptor in vitro are in the 0.118–0.983 μM range. This range of values coincides well with the range of concentrations measured in blood and plasma after administration of a fully psychedelic dose.
As DMT has been shown to have slightly better efficacy (EC50) at human serotonin 2C receptor than at 2A receptor, 5-HT2C highly likely also is implicated in DMT overall effects.[75][80] Other receptors, such as 5-HT1A σ1, and TAAR1 may also play a role.
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Uses
Medical researchers have been granted limited opportunities to study the use of hallucinogens for treating anxiety in terminally ill patients, schizophrenia, and opiate addiction. Because DMT moves through the brain so quickly, it is not likely to be used for medical research. Currently the most users use it for recreational purpose.
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Scheduling
In the US, it is a Schedule I drug. Similar to other psychedelic drugs, there are relatively few physical side effects associated with DMT acute exposure. Second-hand accounts also exist of serious health complications from 5-MeO-DMT use which may be aggravated by interaction with MAOIs. When inhaled, its vapor has been described as "very harsh."
Psychological and physical addiction liability
Psychologically, the DMT experience can be overly-intense, potentially causing overwhelming fear and difficulty integrating experiences if one is not mentally prepared. Furthermore, due to the intense nature of the experience, DMT is generally considered to have no addiction potential. Just as with all psychedelics, there is a chance for an onset of paranoia, or a 'bad trip'.
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Withdrawal Effects
Dimethyltryptamine is called a "serotonin agonist." When the chemical enters the brain, it interferes with the normally occurring neurotransmitter called serotonin. Serotonin serves many functions in the brain, from regulating moods to assisting the brain in the way it processes information.
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Long term effects
The long-term effect could be brain damage. However it is not clear whether this damage is permanent or not. In addition, hallucinogen users are susceptible to flashbacks of the drug experience for a long time afterward. Many users can also experience spontaneous recurrence of visual or sensory distortions. Some studies have documented changes in the mental functions of some chronic hallucinogen users.
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Pychological Treament
As such there are no medical treatment options available. Psychological treatment options may include:
Support group,
Professional counsellor
Support from family
Detox at a rehab center
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Related drugs
Similar drugs include:
Ayahuasca
Related Synthetics
Related synthetics include:
5-MEO-MIPT Over time the human body develops a tolerance to DMT, but DMT is not said to be an addictive substance.
References
[1] http://www.kirasalak.com/Peru.html
[2] http://web.archive.org/web/20060127003553/http://jeremybigwood.net/JBsPUBS/DMT/
[3] http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/60/6/1181.full.pdf
[4] http://schizophreniabulletin.oxfordjournals.org/content/2/1/90.full.pdf
[5] http://www.enotes.com/dimethyltryptamine-dmt-reference/dimethyltryptamine-dmt
[6] http://www.blairdap.org/downloads/DMT.pdf
[7] http://www.pamf.org/teen/risk/drugs/hallucinogens/dmt.html#Street Names