Although the hallucinogen DMT does not produce the same kind of addiction as other drugs, people can still develop addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DMT (N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is a\u00a0hallucinogenic drug<\/a>\u00a0that occurs naturally and can also be produced synthetically. Although the drug does not produce the same kind of addiction as other drugs such as\u00a0opioids<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0cocaine<\/a>, people can become addicted to DMT. It is important to know the characteristics of DMT and how DMT addiction differs from other substance addictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n DMT<\/a> cannot be used orally on its own because it is not absorbed into circulation. However, when DMT is taken orally with a type of drug known as an MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) it will take effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tribes in the Amazon Basin make a brewed drink (a tea) called ayahuasca<\/a> that contains DMT. Ayahuasca is made by boiling certain vines and plant ingredients (that happen to contain a naturally occurring MAOI) along with plants containing DMT. The tribes use ayahuasca as part of traditional, shamanic spiritual ceremonies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are other ways to take DMT other than with ayahuasca:<\/p>\n\n\n\n DMT is not inherently addictive because there is little to no euphoria or activation of the brain\u2019s reward system with its use. Unlike most other hallucinogens, DMT causes limited tolerance to develop<\/a> over time and produces no withdrawal symptoms, both of which are features of substance addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, DMT can produce a pattern of abuse similar to addiction, in that it can produce psychological dependence. That means that people may regularly use the substance because they seek out the effects of the DMT trip, either because they enjoy or value the effects of the trip (as a religion-related use) or because they are using it as a way to cope with stress and negative feelings (escapism).<\/p>\n\n\n\n As such, hallucinogen use \u2014 including DMT use \u2014 is well-known<\/a> to produce a pattern of abuse that resembles addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other than the symptoms during a trip or any persistent long-term symptoms, there may be no physical clues that a person uses or is addicted to DMT. If a person continually complains about bad experiences from using DMT, yet continues to use the substance, they may be struggling with an addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Addiction to DMT is not characterized by the drive to avoid withdrawal symptoms<\/a> as are some other substance addictions. Rather, it is a behavioral addiction, similar to other behavioral addictions (\u201cprocess addictions\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n As such, DMT addiction may be characterized by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hallucinogenic effects of DMT are actually a drug-induced psychosis<\/a> characterized by hallucinations, paranoia, and odd, irrational behavior. Because of this, a \u201ctrip-sitter<\/a>\u201d is recommended to attempt to prevent any harmful behaviors to the self or to others. This DMT side effect alone makes DMT use unsafe at any dose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DMT drug side effects include serious cross-reactions with some commonly used medications, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even some preserved or aged foods should be avoided due to the potential for serious cross-reactions with DMT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common, short-term DMT side effects include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also a variety of risks from the various chemicals that are used with DMT, especially in making changa or ayahuasca. Serious illness, injury, and death\u00a0have been reported<\/a>\u00a0in people who travel to Brazil to attend ayahuasca ceremonies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Long-term effects of DMT addiction involve DMT\u2019s effects on the brain, which may endure long after even a single use of the drug:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Long-term DMT effects may include the unmasking of latent\u00a0mental health disorders<\/a>\u00a0in people with pre-existing conditions or a predisposition to mental illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Polysubstance use is the abuse of more than one substance at the same time. It magnifies the risks of substance use and complicates addiction treatment. Polysubstance use can be especially dangerous for people who use DMT because of adverse drug reactions with other drugs of abuse, especially cocaine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among people who use hallucinogens, polysubstance use is exceptionally high<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The side effects of using more than one substance, even if not used at the same time, are additive and substance use becomes more complicated and difficult to treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n DMT statistics are difficult to obtain because the drug is uncommon in the United States. It is not specifically reported on major drug reporting sources, such as the CDC and SAMHSA. However, according to the DEA<\/a> there are 500 to 600 cases of lab-confirmed DMT annually in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although specific DMT drug facts are not available from the large national drug use databases, figures for hallucinogen use in the United States are available. According to the 2016 U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health<\/a> (NSDUH):<\/p>\n\n\n\n DMT drug overdose<\/a> (and even using the drug without overdosing) has been attributed to deaths<\/a>. Even when it is not fatal, DMT overdoses can be unpleasant and frightening experiences. DMT has some stimulant properties, so it can increase the risk of overdose when used with other stimulants, especially cocaine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the dose of DMT increases, the psychosis is likely to increase. People using DMT have been known to leap from rooftops and balconies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Symptoms of overdose and the DMT death rate are not well-known because the drug is uncommon. Many of the deaths occurred from people attending ayahuasca ceremonies in South American jungles, which are far from any medical help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n High doses of DMT may cause seizures, respiratory arrest and coma. The vomiting and diarrhea and hyperactivity that accompany ayahuasca use may cause life-threatening dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DMT addiction treatment depends on whether there is substance use or a co-occurring mental health disorder. Some available options include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Related Topic:<\/strong> Ayahuasca detox<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Although the hallucinogen DMT does not produce the same kind of addiction as other drugs, people can still develop addiction. DMT (N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is a\u00a0hallucinogenic drug\u00a0that occurs naturally and can also be produced synthetically. Although the drug does not produce the same kind of addiction as other drugs such as\u00a0opioids\u00a0or\u00a0cocaine, people can become addicted to DMT. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11360,"parent":551,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[53],"tags":[54],"class_list":["post-566","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dmt","tag-hallucinogens"],"acf":{"written_by":317,"enable_medically_and_up":["Yes"],"medically_reviewed_by":255,"medically_reviewed_content":"This article was reviewed by a medical professional to guarantee the delivery of accurate and up-to- date information. View our research policy.<\/a>","up_to_date":"Medically Reviewed by Andrew Proulx, MD<\/a>","page_first_published_date":"20221228","page_last_edit_date":"20221228","highlighted_description":"If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available. Speak with a Recovery Advocate by calling (561) 340-7269<\/a> now.","key_takeaways":"Key Takeaways<\/strong>\r\nHow is DMT Used?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Symptoms of DMT Addiction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Physical Signs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Behavioral Signs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Side Effects of DMT Addiction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Short-Term Effects of DMT Addiction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Long-Term Effects of DMT Addiction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Side Effects of Polysubstance Abuse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
DMT Abuse Facts and Statistics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Can You Overdose on DMT?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
DMT Addiction Treatment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\r\n \t