How Is DMT Safely Used?

DMT Use Guide and Information

DMT, also known as the “Spirit molecule” and Dimethyltryptamine has been under the spotlight for many decades now.  It is a very powerful vision-inducing hallucinogen.  This psychedelic is known around the world and has been a part of a number of cultures, traditions, medicines and tonics, life-changing epiphanies, mysteries, folklore, histories and more!  But the extremely psychoactive drug is not to be taken lightly.  In fact, it is a very dangerous drug and can lead to very serious complications and consequences upon overdose.  Extreme research and safety measures are typically performed by psychonauts even considering the drug. DMT can be injected, smoked, vaporized, orally ingested or even snorted.

So how does one use DMT safely? What are the safety precautions for dosing? How should one safely prepare for a DMT trip? All of these and more are valid, concerning questions and depending upon the administration method (how DMT is consumed), the answer may differ. Fortunately, the ways DMT has been administered is an already deeply researched topic, and understanding a little about each can go a long way.

Injecting DMT

In the early days of DMT in Western culture, the drug was typically intramuscularly injected. The effects are often felt rather quickly, with an onset of under five minutes. This makes sense, as it takes less than five minutes for tryptamine to get to the brain when injected this way. The next 10 to 20 minutes can usually be described as euphoric, excited and energetic. Timothy Leary and many of his associate researchers and friends have been well-known for their experiments throughout the 1960s which involved intramuscularly injecting DMT. In fact, if their experiments had been erased from time, DMT would have likely never become mainstream.

Smoking Synthetic DMT

DMT is often obtained from the dark web and other black markets, or synthesized by a psychonaut themselves. There are many recipes and procedures for preparing synthetic DMT for smoking, and it can be a little difficult for an amateur.  The DMT itself will be in a crystalline form and is usually a white, off-white, brownish, yellow, or orange-like color. DMT is typically smoked using a glass pipe, albeit they can be hard to find because they are hard to sell (normal use is for crack cocaine and meth, thus placing extra heat on the paraphernalia).

The reason glasses preferred is because the actual DMT can be observed and monitored so the appropriate vaporization point is obtained without wasting any of the substance. Glass also allows the user to see if there are any leaks or problems with the screen and other parts of the pipe. The screen is normally stainless steel. The flame should never make direct contact with the substance, but instead be held about half an inch away. It is important to melt the DMT enough for vaporization and also prevent it from running down the pipe, all while keeping the flame at the perfect distance from the substance and inhaling the resulting vapor as it is formed. Some pipes are less desirable as they will be harsher to smoke from, harder to load or light, or less visible.

Smoking DMT on a Carrier

A lot of curious DMT enthusiasts have tried many things, but one very common question psychonauts have relates to carriers.  A carrier is a mostly harmful herbal substance which can act as a host for the DMT to provide an easier-to-smoke concoction. Basically the DMT tryptamines are mixed with the carrier leaves or herbage and then smoked much like hash or marijuana. In fact, marijuana is often selected as a carrier for smoking DMT. Other common carriers for smoking DMT include but are not limited to: oregano, parsley, passion flower, and lavender. There are a lot of people who have argued against using marijuana due to the fact that it provides a number of psychoactive effects itself and can potentially alter the experience to greatly, though there are plenty of people who still enjoy using cannabis as a carrier.

A lot of experienced psychonauts suggest soaking the carrier and water for a few moments and then re-drying the herb. This practice is done before applying the DMT to the carrier. It is thought to be a way of reducing the aroma and flavor from the carrier, allowing for a more neutral DMT experience. Another tip for smoking DMT on a carrier is to have a bottle of water handy afterwards to help with any harsh effects felt in the throat. This is also partly due to the fact that each lungful of smoke is often suggested to be held in for as long as possible.

DMT pipes are typically not passed a round in ceremonial fashion such as cannabis or tobacco. This is mostly because each individual’s pipe should be loaded with predetermined amounts of DMT. It would not make sense to share pipes, as each person’s dose can be different, and each person inhales differently each time. Not sharing pipes helps each DMT user better monitor their own dosage and clearly see when the full dose has been administered. It should also be noted that using a carrier to smoke DMT can make it more difficult to determine what part of the dose is strongest, due to potential uneven application of the DMT substance to the carrier. This is especially true with parsley.

DMT has also been known to be turned into an oil. DMT oils can be more evenly blended with a carrier, making for a more balanced smoking dose. DMT oils also have found their way into joints, where they are extremely efficient. They can also be more easily vaporized this way.

Orally Ingesting DMT

In order to properly dose DMT orally, it is usually advised to turn it into a water-soluble solution. Because DMT freebase is not water-soluble, it needs to be turned into a salt to make it water-soluble. Most psychonauts suggest mixing DMT freebase with a citric juice such as orange juice, lemon juice (though it is very bad for the teeth and can destroy enamel), or grapefruit juice. Any juice that is high in citric acid will work. Only about 1.5 fluid ounces, or about a shot glass’ worth of the juice is required. Depending upon the exact citric acid content in the juice, and a potential variety of other variables (differs greatly from situation to situation, substance to substance, and other random factors), the dose of DMT required to obtain a safe and effective experience may vary.

Speaking from a traditional, historical sense, DMT has been orally ingested for thousands of years. Tribes from all over the world have used DMT in a variety of rituals, nearly all of them not even realizing DMT was responsible for the hallucinogenic visions in their very many ceremonial preparations. Of the many rituals and preparations of DMT containing plants, many of them were aqueous, or otherwise beverages or drinks. There are especially a large number of drink preparations which contain DMT throughout South America. There is an even greater concentration of DMT beverages in tribes of the Orinoco basin region.

Snorting DMT

Although it is most definitely the rarest way of using DMT in modern, Western culture, snorting DMT has been extremely popular for thousands of years in other places around the world. South American cultures in specific are notorious for creating all types of resin cakes which they then pulverize into powder snuffs which are snorted. These snuffs are essentially DMT by the end of their manufacturing process. In extremely recent years, a lot of psychonauts around the world have experimented with snorting DMT freebase.  Most of their experiences (nearly all of them who seem to have done it correctly and snorted actual DMT freebase) were positive and as satisfying or more satisfying than other administration methods.

What Foods Should be Avoided When Using DMT?

Looking out for dangerous food and drink combinations while using any drug is always wise. DMT is especially inebriating already…and can have some pretty serious side effects when combined with the wrong substances, so it is a good idea for any DMT psychonaut to become acquainted with those combinations which are dangerous. It is also worth noting that the actual effects of DMT can be diminished or eliminated with certain substances (metabolically destroyed), such as MAO. This is why many ayahuasca and other DMT beverages work on the premise of combining a DMT containing plant with an MAO inhibitor. It is important, however, to avoid taking DMT if on any medicine which is an MAOI, as it will make the DMT too strong.  Experienced psychonauts sometimes suggest avoiding DMT if on any prescription medicines.

Without further ado, here is a list of some of the most common foods and drinks experienced DMT users suggest avoiding when taking DMT. This list is in alphabetical order.

• Alcohol, especially red and white wines, beer should also be avoided
• Amphetamines
• Anesthetics
• Antihistamines
  Bananas
• Calamus
• Cheese
• Cocoa
• Coffee
• Condensed soups
• Cranberries
• Creams of any kind
• Dairy products that are not fresh
• Dill oil
• Eggs, especially dried egg whites
• Ephedrine
• Figs
• Fish, only when dried or aged
• Fruit that has bruised or is not fresh, also dried fruits should be avoided
• Gravies
• Guacamole
• Liver
• Macromerine
• MSG (or hydrolyzed foods)
• Narcotics of any kind
• Nutmeg
• Olives
• Phenelalanine
• Pickled Foods
• Pineapple
• Prescription medications
• Processed Meats (pepperoni, bologna, sausage and hotdogs, lunch meat, etc)
• Protein extracts and supplements
• Raisins
• Sauerkraut
• Sedatives or tranquilizers (any)
• Shrimp
• Soy sauce
• Teriyaki
• Tofu
• Tryptophan
• Tyrosine
• Yeast extract
• Yogurt

Some of these foods can create too intense of a trip, higher blood pressure, or other adverse reactions which are considered unpleasant and extremely dangerous. There is also plenty of warning against driving while using DMT; and this is regardless as to which foods one consumes. In fact, some trippers are unable to even set the pipe down before losing control of their motor functions (often a baby sitter needs to be ready to collect the pipe from the trippers hand after dosing).

What is the Safest Setting for a DMT Trip?

Many experience psychonauts and DMT experts will agree that set and setting are extremely important variables in attempting to control and encourage a positive experience on the substance. In fact, many famous psychonauts who have helped pioneer this theory, such as Timothy Leary, have suggested that set and setting can literally make the difference between an awful trip and a spiritually powerful and positive experience. Set and setting are mentioned in almost any DMT guidebook or advice from nearly any expert on the topic. Unfortunately, it may be necessary to test a few things before finding the appropriate set and setting for each individual. Admittedly, this can lead to having a few poor experiences before finally having a good one.

Other expert psychonauts such as Ram Dass have agreed with Leary in that mindset is everything. Having the right psychological mindset and intentions for a psychedelic journey, provides the substance with a kind of “positive energy” to work with.  The mindset can be greatly improved going into a trip with the right research and preparation ahead of time. If a trip or is not worried about whether or not they have consumed a food which will interfere with their trip, there is a video game blasting in the other room, or where there will be a lot of foot traffic, it will be much harder to obtain a peaceful mindset. Additionally DMT can be a little too intense if there is a lot of direct light. The room should be well lit, and somewhat bright, but no direct light should be present (this would include exposed light bulbs or sunlight, for example). The light can make a significant impact on a trip. If the room is too dark, trippers often describe “mute visions,” by which there are no sounds.

Most expert advice can be summed up in the simple math of “whatever you give DMT, it gives back.” More specifically, whatever intentions, mindset, food, preparation and environment you give DMT, DMT refracts into new, but similar patterns.  Hence, a worried, anxious, fearful tripper will be more likely to have a bad experience, while a calm, peaceful and properly prepared tripper will be more likely to have a positive experience.

What Are Considered Safe Doses of DMT?

Depending upon the administration method, different doses may be appropriate.  Traditionally, when DMT is smoked, 15-30 mg is typically considered a hallucinogenic dose (assuming it is pure DMT).  Experienced psychonauts advised never to measure doses during an experience or while inebriated, but instead to have all doses prepared in advance. There have been many tribal warnings and psychonaut experts advising against smoking more than 25 mg for one’s first experience. Some experienced DMT trippers seem to prefer to smoke about 25 mg or more with cannabis, for a lighter, giddy-like euphoria and mild hallucinations; while there are other DMT trippers who prefer smoking heavier doses without mixing the substance with anything else. Ultimately, a DMT enthusiast’s smoking habits for the substance usually seems to evolve overtime ‘to taste.’

When DMT is injected intramuscularly, doses of approximately 40 to 50 mg are used. Although, many studies and trials of the past have shown DMT to begin showing physical and light psychedelic effects at doses as low as 15 mg (intramuscularly injected). Still, most psychonauts suggest a minimum of 40 mg, as otherwise the full range of effects cannot be experienced. When measuring DMT doses, it is important to be exact and never rely on estimates. Most psychonauts and DMT experts suggest that doses over 55 mg injected intramuscularly to be a larger, heavier dose. It is usually suggested that doses of 55 mg or more be left only to seasoned and experienced DMT researchers.

Caution: It is worth noting that DPT and DET are considered more powerful than DMT, and the DMT dosages should never be used for any analog substance.

Warning: DMT is different from 5-methoxy-DMT (and other similar compounds). 5-methoxy-DMT is drastically stronger. For example, when it comes to intramuscular injection, DMT requires 40 mg for a standard, full spectrum of effects type-of trip, but 5-methoxy-DMT only requires about 10 mg or less.

Last Words On Consuming DMT Safely

No matter how much research and preparation a psychonaut has invested into DMT and DMT safety, the spirit molecule is known for being one of the most unpredictable, and powerful hallucinogens on the planet. It is highly regarded by many famous psychonauts for its uniqueness in visions, feelings and empathogenic effects.  The reason it has been nicknamed the spirit molecule is because of its ability to draw a greater sense of being, a greater sense of place in the cosmos and a better understanding of the world.  DMT also greatly increases emotional closeness between people and for other people, hence often being called an empathogen.

Disclaimer: Botanical Shaman authors are not condoning illegal drug use and cannot be held responsible for any spiritual journeys which may or may not be experienced.