Inhaled Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): Use Patterns and Predictors of Consumption Frequency.

People who inhale DMT often start because of curiosity, general interest in psychedelics, and hope for spiritual benefits. Those who have used other psychoactive substances, especially ayahuasca, and who extract DMT themselves tend to use it more frequently. Most users obtain DMT from a friend and find it slightly difficult to get. They typically inhale it from a glass pipe in private homes, alone or in small groups. Positive experiences include psychological cleansing or catharsis, while challenges involve difficult integration, aversive experiences, or bad trips. Users generally rate DMT as very or slightly safe. The findings highlight the need for education and harm reduction as media coverage of DMT's potential benefits grows.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Despite increasing interest in psychedelics and their potential therapeutic effects, research on inhaled N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) remains limited. Inhaled DMT has a reputation for rapid, dramatic onset and a brief duration, but correlates of use frequency remain poorly understood. A sample recruited from relevant internet sites, including nearly 400 people who had inhaled DMT, reported substance use histories, motivations for use, DMT sources, risk perceptions, and other variables. Generally, participants reported initiation motivated by curiosity about DMT's effects, interest in psychedelics more broadly, and potential spiritual benefits. Those who had used other psychoactive substances (especially ayahuasca) and who had extracted DMT themselves reported inhaled DMT more frequently. Most (>60%) reported obtaining DMT from a friend and claimed it was "slightly difficult" to procure. Participants most commonly inhaled DMT from a glass pipe, in private homes, frequently alone or in small groups. Salient positives associated with inhaling DMT included psychologically cleansing or cathartic experiences. Associated challenges concerned difficult integration, aversive experiences, or "bad trips." Participants rated DMT as very or slightly safe. These data underscore the need for continued work on this topic to inform education and harm reduction efforts, particularly as the molecule's reputation for ameliorative effects receives media coverage.