DMT is a chemical that can change the way you see, hear, taste, smell or feel things. It is found in some plants.
DMT usually comes as a white powder that people smoke or vape. Sometimes the powder can be yellow, orange or pink.
Sometimes people drink DMT in a brew called ayahuasca.
Ayahuasca is made from plants that contain DMT and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The plants are usually Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis.
The brew may be brown or red.
Drug category: psychedelic
Psychedelics can change the way you see, hear, taste, smell or feel things (tripping). They are also called hallucinogens.
Psychedelics can cause unexpected and challenging effects.
Other names for DMT
Other names include: aya, ayahuasca, chacruna, changa, hoasca, Dimitri, yagé
Effects of DMT
The effects of DMT can vary depending on:
- your size, weight and sex
- if you have any health conditions or mental health difficulties
- how you take the drug
- the strength of the drug
- how much you take
- if you take alcohol, medicines or other drugs at the same time
- where you take the drug and how you feel before you take it
- if you have taken the drug before and how often
If you smoke or vape DMT, the effects start quickly and can last 15 minutes to over 1 hour. If you drink an ayahuasca brew, the effects can last several hours.
The effects of DMT are unpredictable. You may not have the same experience as someone else.
The effects of DMT are sometimes called a trip.
How you may feel or behave
You may feel:
- more aware of colours, sounds and smells
- unaware of time, it could speed up or slow down
- intense wellbeing or happiness (euphoria)
- confused, paranoid or anxious
- disconnected from your sense of self, your body or surroundings - people may call this a near-death experience
- agitated
Effects on your brain and body
DMT can cause:
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting (being sick)
- increased blood pressure and heart rate
- seizures (fits)
- dizziness
- diarrhoea
- hallucinations - you see, hear and feel things that are not there
- psychosis - you have confused thoughts, feelings and behaviour and you do not know what is real or not real
DMT can make you less aware of your surroundings. If you use DMT in an unsafe place, you may be more likely to have accidents or injuries.
You may have confusion or problems sleeping after other effects stop.
DMT and mental health
DMT can cause mental health difficulties or make existing difficulties worse.
Negative effects include:
- frightening or challenging hallucinations
- intense anxiety and confusion
- fear and paranoia
This can happen if you are going through a tough time or feel low. But the risk of severe effects is higher if you or someone in your family has mental health difficulties.
In rare cases, DMT can cause hallucinations or other drug-like experiences in the days or weeks after you take it.
It may help to talk to someone if you have a bad experience with DMT.
DMT and dependency
Signs of dependency can include:
- cravings for a drug
- withdrawal symptoms
- continuing to use a drug even when it causes you harm
DMT does not usually cause physical dependency.
Tolerance is when you need to take more of the drug to get the same effects. It is not clear if DMT can cause tolerance.
How long does DMT stay in your system?
It can be hard to know how long DMT stays in your system.
There are tests to detect DMT. But different types of tests have different detection times.
Things that affect how long a drug stays in your system
The time it takes for a drug to leave your system depends on many things.
For example:
- how much you took
- how often you take the drug
- how strong the drug was
- your age, sex and metabolism
- your general health
Reducing risks from DMT
It’s always safest not to take drugs. You can never be fully sure of the contents or strength of drugs. Some brews called ayahuasca may contain other drugs instead of DMT.
There are ways to reduce the risk of harm if you use DMT. Select a piece of advice to find out more.
Consider if there is extra risk for you - such as health conditions or how you feel.
There are always risks if you use drugs. But some people may be more at risk than others.
If you or someone in your family has any health conditions or mental health difficulties, you may be more at risk of a drug emergency.
For example, if you:
- take antidepressants
- have heart problems
- have problems with blood pressure
It can be hard to know your level of risk. Some people have health conditions and do not know it.
If you feel low, anxious or stressed, you are more at risk of a negative or challenging experience.
Be with people you trust and look out for each other - do not use alone.
Pick a meeting point and know what to do in case of an emergency.
Start with a small amount and wait 2 hours before you take more.
This is to reduce the risk of an overdose or drug emergency.
The contents or strength of drugs can vary, even in the same batch.
If you start with a small amount, you can:
- see how you react
- stop if you get an effect you did not expect or do not want
It can take up to 2 hours for some effects to happen. If you take too much too soon, it increases your risk.
Stay in a safe place away from risks such as heights, roads or water.
This is to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. DMT can affect your control of your body and make you less aware of your surroundings.
Try to be in a calm place.
Noisy or busy places can cause an overwhelming experience. For example, at a club or festival.
Plan a safe way to get home.
It is dangerous to drive if drugs are in your system. You could harm yourself or other people. A drug can still be in your system even if you do not feel the effects.
Know what to do in case of a challenging experience.
If you know what to do during a challenging experience, it could stop a situation getting worse and help you support someone.
But it is always safest to get medical advice if someone has overwhelming or unexpected effects.
Know what to do in case of a drug emergency.
If you take any kind of drug, it is important to know:
- signs of a drug emergency, including signs related to mental health
- what to do in case of overdose or other emergencies
An overdose can be a life-threatening condition. It happens when someone has too much of a drug or another substance in their system.
Getting help can prevent serious damage or death. Your wellbeing is the main priority.
Mixing DMT with alcohol or other drugs
Using DMT or ayahuasca with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can cause unpredictable and negative effects.
There is a high risk of heart problems, seizures or overdose if you use DMT with:
- opioids such as heroin or tramadol
- antidepressants
- MDMA
Mixing DMT with drugs that cause paranoia can also increase the risk of negative effects. For example, cannabis or cocaine.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 if
you or someone else has taken DMT and has:
- a very fast or irregular heartbeat
- severe distress, confusion or panic - they cannot calm down and may be a danger to themselves or others
Stay with the person until help arrives.
Tell the medics everything you know about the drug and give them any leftover drug if possible. It will help them decide the right treatment.
If you are worried about DMT use
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s use, you can get support. This can be when DMT use affects your health, relationships, work or other areas of your life.
Non-urgent advice: Drugs and alcohol helpline
You can contact the helpline for support, information or advice on treatment and support options.
Freephone: 1800 459 459
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Email: helpline@hse.ie