Table of Contents
What Are The Effects of Taking DMT?
How Does DMT Affect You? [DMT Experiences and Effects]
First and foremost, almost all psychedelic experts (including DMT psychonauts) agree that all drugs and substances can affect each individual person differently. Similarly, they typically agree that there are many different factors which very greatly influence the the way a substance can affect a person. Some of these factors include mind set, environmental setting, dose, experience, intentions, other substances and food consumed, regular diet and nutrition, and many other variables. Nevertheless, there are still a few “tell tale signs” of a DMT trip; and many experiences do tend to have some very obviously parallels and similarities between them. With a correct dose and careful preparation, one can greatly improve the chances of having the type of experience desired.
What Type of Effects Does DMT Produce?
Nearly every DMT experience is different, however, there are still some effects which are more likely to be experienced with the substance. And there are usually some effects that are experienced every time (or close to every time). This list is in no particular order.
Bodily Sensations
The onset of DMT often is accompanied by a number of bodily sensations. Some people describe tingling, a sort of numb-like experience. This is more commonly described as a kind of “body high.” There are many user accounts which talk about giddiness, or a rush of exciting energy. Many times when these bodily sensations are being recognized, there is still a clear mind, and the tripper is able to communicate clearly.
Visuals, Visions, Hallucinations
People see many things while under the influence of DMT. There are some really common visuals which seem to come up on a regular basis and many user accounts. Some of these common visuals include: elves, aliens, and plants. It is especially common to see the jungle, or parts of the jungle. The Jag wire, the Eagle, and the snake are also seen very frequently.
Many people see scurrying insects and mispercieve this as a bad omen…creating a negative experience. In reality, this is traditionally considered a good sign. Seeing snakes or insects, or even a dark colored energy, leaving the body or scurrying away from the tripper is believed to be negative energy that the DMT is cleansing from the body and soul.
A lot of people see intense lights and colors in their visions. In fact, light is such a big part of the visuals people get, that having no light can make visions mute (without sound). Similarly, having too much light can make a trip too intense and unmanageable. With the right amount of light, inexperienced DMT tripper can more accurately control their visions and hallucinations.
The visuals from DMT can be different depending upon whether the eyes are open or closed. In more intense trips the eyes are almost always closed, as the tripper can reach states of trances. It is very rare for trippers to describe the same visuals with their eyes open as to when they are closed. This may be because at any point in time where a DMT user can think about comparing open eyed visuals to close eyed visuals, they are still too coherent and conscious to have reached peak levels. As DMT begins to take over the train of thought, one usually excepts one state over the other, either close eyed or open eyed experience.
With the eyes open, the vividness of the surrounding environment greatly sharpens, colors are more pronounced, and objects may begin to morph. In a sense, open eyed visuals are much like seeing the world through a more colorful overlay. One DMT account explains it as though they were wearing special kaleidoscopic goggles that still let them interpret reality for what it was, but also for what it could be in many other colors. Some people see a type of crystallization of reality and objects in their environment.
With the eyes closed, the mind is unbound by the reality of the environment, and the true power of DMT is unleashed. Many DMT trippers see swirling patterns and fast-morphing geometric shapes. Some people see more intense hallucinogenic manifestations. DMT can create a wide array of visuals from vivid mixes of colors to full-blown alternate realities and other dimensions. One DMT account detailed being immersed in what felt and seemed like a very real jungle, despite tripping in Chicago.
Heavy Weight & Out of Body Experiences
A rather large percentage of DMT user accounts seem to take note of a very heavy feeling in their body. Some users explain it as though they are melting into the ground. Others describe not being able to move, almost in a “couch lock” type of position. Some merely point out in intense body high (maybe due to different preparations, lighter doses, or other reasons). In some more intense trips, the mind seems to find a way to detach itself from this heavier body, often resulting in spiritual journeys to other dimensions and worlds. Some psychedelic experts theorize that feeling this heavy weight in the body is because the mind is trying to break free. Perhaps this is even the start of a drug-induced out of body experience.
Nausea & Dizziness
Unfortunately, there are many user accounts which seem to include nausea (no matter how light or heavy). Dizziness is also a common side effect, especially in the earlier onset phase. Usually users describe beginning to feel acquainted with the experience as they get their mental bearings straight. Sometimes, there is a vertigo that may linger after the trip for a few hours, or in more severe cases, off and on for a couple of days.
Other Physical Effects
DMT trippers should be aware of the way DMT physically alters the body. During a trip, observable pupil dilation will be present. DMT trippers will also experience an increased pulse and heart rate. Blood pressure is also expected to go up. Some trippers will experience tremors. People who have high blood pressure or heart conditions should not use DMT.
What Are Some DMT User Experiences?
DMT experiences can vary greatly from person-to-person in terms of physical effects, psychological effects, visions and hallucinations, dreams, and analytical content (what the person gets out of the experience, if anything). Here are a few unedited, real (self-acclaimed) user experiences for DMT.
Dan L., USA
“I noticed before trying DMT that many people who had tried DMT before seem to be doing it for the wrong reasons in my opinion. It appeared to me that many people use DMT to get high. My research told me that DMT was a powerful drug capable of giving people epiphanies, helping them heal through painful grief, and for self discovery. It is a little weird to me that DMT is also produced in the human body, but it also made me more comfortable trying it. I suppose this is because I felt like my body already knew the chemical, and I would not be ingesting some weird synthetic crap that would be unknown to my body.
Fast forward a bit, I tried DMT twice, the first time I felt like I did not do enough. This was probably because I was nervous of overdosing and understood that I could always try again with a higher dose. Two months after my first experience (which I would only describe as euphoric and with laughter), I dosed again, this time 40 mg intramuscularly. The effects this time were profound and much more noticeable physically speaking. My pulse and heart rate did go up, however, I never felt alarmed or scared. I had adjusted what I considered to be the perfect lighting for this trip, and I did see visions of my past, of the present, and of a really peaceful kind of jungle. I saw a vision of what felt like a warm sun setting on my face.
I can remember pretty much realizing why anybody in my life had made any decision they had ever made. It was an overwhelming amount of empathy for the people in my life, and I started to realize that day that I had been extremely selfish up until that point in my life. People today say that I am much more pleasant to be around, despite not knowing about my DMT trips. Truth be told, the substance has made such a positive impact on my life that I am confident I owe everything to my self-exploration.”
Clarice S. G., USA
“I have used DMT six times in my life. I can recant each experience as if it happened yesterday. Not any of my six experiences were the same. None of the sets or settings of my experiences were the same. Half of my experiences were in the wild, or nature if you prefer. Half of my experiences were alone (ironically the same half that were in the wild).
Every single one of my experiences involved seeing elves or dwarfs which seemed obsessed with wild growing vines that would fill the room or trees around me. Sometimes I still dream about these elves and dwarves, and their vines. I am totally sane and I have since reached my PhD. The dreams are not scary, but actually comforting. They tell me that I took a piece of the DMT experiences with me. They also tell me that I took a piece of the DMT itself with me.
I believe that I am more spiritually connected to the Earth and universe than people who have not experienced DMT. I also believe that DMT has opened pathways for me in my mind which I can reconnect to in my sleep. These pathways lead to clarity and a lucidity of thought which presents itself the following day in messages that are clear as can be. I do not believe that it is prophecy or divination. I believe instead, that I am simply more connected with the network that is life and our world. Or if you prefer, more receptive.
Although I now feel like I have achieved a higher consciousness and no longer require DMT to experience these spiritual benefits, I would never discourage someone who is curious from looking into DMT themselves for the same reasons (to seek enlightenment, to find one’s true place).”
Kristen V., UK
“I have been curious about DMT for years, ever since college. I have heard so many things about how life changing it can be and the hugely positive effects it seemed to have for many people. I also heard that it broadens perspective and worldview. Being that I am much older now, I thought the years had passed for the opportunity to present itself ever again to try DMT.
But low and behold…it turns out that you are never too old for DMT. I read a book that had an experience by a Timothy Leary, a super famed psychedelic drug advocated. Leary seems completely coherent, strongly educated, and a die hard believer that LSD and other psychedelics can be a life-changing, positive experience with the right intentions.
After reading about Leary’s research and experiments, I decided to pursue the life-changing experiences I had heard Leary and others talking about for years. And I have to say, using DMT truly did change my life. Perhaps it had a more profound effect on me because of my long history of withholding from using it. Perhaps this tango through time made my trip more intense. Whatever the reason, I had an experience which can only be described as divine. I re-experienced my birth, seeing everything for the first time again. The physical effects were euphoric, a little sedating, incredibly pleasant with a sense of tingling. And there was white and the light everywhere.
There is almost no better feeling in the entire world then being born.”
Patch B., Australia
“I first try DMT at a friends house. He was a lab assistant to an adjunct professor overseas for a while. I have no idea how he got it in the country, or maybe he even prepared it here, however what I apparently ingested was pure DMT. We chose an oral ingestion, something he had done before using lemon juice and grapefruit juice combined. I felt the effects almost immediately, within a few moments, and no longer felt like talking. My friend must have predicted this state, as he had put on some ultra smooth jazz.
To me, it felt as though the music were coming to life, as if I were in the room with the musicians and they were playing the song especially for me. It felt as though the song were isolated in time, as though it were being replayed in the exact moment it were recorded just for me. I could see the notes in the air, but in the form of light rays. I could feel the notes in my mind. Although it felt as though I was floating above my body right along with the music notes, I was still watching my body make movements which were matching how my mind perceived the music notes.
In retrospect, this was probably because of the disco ball in the room with us (I later learned that lighting is extremely important when you do DMT and I probably should not have had the disco ball in the room with so much rave like light). The song felt like it lasted forever, but when it was over I was able to think completely clearly, clearer than I had ever thought in my life. I knew what I had to do: become a musician like I always wanted.”
Dimethyltryptamine Effects May Be Wide-Ranged
Certainly some effects are more likely to be experienced during a DMT trip than others, however, it is also true that there is an extremely wide range of effects. Some of these effects are considered unpleasant, being experienced by only a few DMT trippers (i.e. psychosis or severe paranoia). There are a few unpleasant effects which can be common, such as like nausea or headache. Obviously, there are also effects which are more extreme than others; and as well some effects that are barely noticed at all! With how differently DMT can affect each person, active monitoring of a tripper’s health and state of being is always advised (such as in the form of a babysitter or other controlled setting). And while many different effects can be anticipated, it is always wise to remember any hallucinogen can become unpredictable with the wrong set of variables.