DMT Addiction: Signs, Effects, and Treatment

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DMT, or N, N-dimethyltryptamine, is a hallucinogenic substance that causes a fleeting psychedelic trip. The onset of effects can be as fast as 45 seconds, peaking around one minute and wearing off within 15 minutes.¹ For decades, tryptamine substances have been synthesized, used and often misused for recreational purposes. Tryptamines, including DMT, have become known as party drugs.¹

It is illegal to make, possess, purchase or distribute DMT because it is considered a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning it is both highly addictive and is without approved medical uses.² Chronic use of this psychedelic can cause harmful effects, such as DMT addiction.

DMT Addiction Signs

Compared to other commonly used drugs, such as heroin, prescription opioids and cocaine, DMT is far less physically addictive. However, its use can lead to psychological dependence as users crave the reality-escaping properties.

Signs of DMT addiction may include:³

• Craving DMT
• Using higher or more frequent doses of DMT than originally intended
• Mixing DMT with other substances to achieve a better or different high
• Struggling to quit or reduce the amount used
• Isolating yourself from others or finding ways to hide your use of DMT
• Spending an inordinate amount of time obtaining and using DMT, as well as recovering from its effects
• Continuing DMT use despite negatively affecting your relationships or work
• Continuing DMT use despite mental or physical health problems caused or worsened by use
• Needing higher amounts of DMT to feel desired effects
• Neglecting important recreational activities in favor of DMT use

If you or someone you know is struggling with DMT addiction, call our 24/7 helpline at 800-681-1058 (Sponsored) to find the best program.

DMT Side Effects

Short-Term Effects

In the short term, DMT makes everything seem distorted. It makes you hallucinate, meaning you see, hear, smell or taste things that aren’t really there. Your experience hallucinating can be a good one, or it can be bad. You don’t get to choose which type of experience you have before you take DMT.⁴

DMT drug effects are not long-lasting, but they can be very intense. When high on DMT, you may experience:⁴

• Heightened senses
• Double vision
• Distortions of reality
• Out-of-body experiences
• Enhanced mood
• Raised blood pressure
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Increased heart rate
• Injuries can happen when you are hallucinating due to a lack of coordination and distortions brought on by the drug

If you have a good experience with DMT, you may feel extreme happiness, joy and closeness with other people and the earth in general. On the other hand, if your DMT experience is a bad one, you may experience profound fear, anxiety and terrifying thoughts.⁴

Long-Term Consequences

The long-term effects of DMT addiction have not been established. Unlike other hallucinogens, such as LSD, chronic DMT use doesn’t appear to lead to tolerance, which causes people to take increasing doses of the drug to experience the desired effects.⁴

In some people with existing mental illness, DMT can lead to a disorder called HPPD, or Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder.³

Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)

HPPD refers to flashbacks or reliving the hallucinogenic effects of DMT long after ingestion and when the person is sober. Flashbacks can occur days, weeks, months, and years after taking DMT. For some, the flashbacks are a good experience.³

For others, however, the flashbacks can be disturbing, especially because there may not be any warning. Furthermore, HPPD happens because DMT affects the brain’s structure and functioning. There is no way to tell who will get HPPD and who will not.³

Serotonin Syndrome

DMT in the brain affects the neurotransmitter called serotonin. When released, serotonin sends out feel-good signals. Serotonin also affects digestion, breathing, blood flow and body temperature.⁵

Taking DMT in high quantities can lead to a dangerous condition known as serotonin syndrome, in which the levels of serotonin in the body are too high.⁵ People who are already taking antidepressants, migraine medications and even supplements like Ginseng that increase serotonin levels, are especially at risk.⁵

Too much serotonin can lead to:⁵

• Agitation or restlessness
• Confusion
• Abnormal eye movements
• Diarrhea or other digestive problems
• Fast heartbeat and high blood pressure
• Hallucinations
• A rise in body temperature
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Nausea and vomiting
• Quick changes in blood pressure

Seek medical treatment immediately if any of these symptoms appear. Serotonin syndrome can be potentially life-threatening and is considered a medical emergency.

DMT Treatment Options

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, DMT is a hallucinogen that is not typically considered addictive, but both psychological and physical symptoms may appear when you quit use of the drug.⁶ Effective treatment for DMT addiction can address both within an individualized treatment plan.

Treatment may  begin in an inpatient rehab setting, allowing you to take a break from your everyday lifestyle and environment.⁷

Taking a break gives you time to focus solely on recovering from DMT use while also receiving 24/7 medical supervision, in case you experience flashbacks or other physical or psychological symptoms.

Outpatient services, such as intensive outpatient programs or partial hospitalization programs, offer you multiple forms of therapy every week. When not in treatment, you can continue to work and fulfill duties in both your professional and personal life.⁷

When searching for a suitable treatment facility, look for the following:⁷

• Accreditation and licensure of the facility, as well as staff
• Evidence-based therapies to treat substance use disorders and addictions (examples are cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy)
• Education on addiction is provided, from how it happens to the basics of recovery
• Peer support is available
• Complementary therapies are available, if desired (examples include art or music therapy, mindfulness and meditation)
• Basic living skills are taught, like how to create a budget and understand finances, parenting and relationship skills
• Vocational and educational assistance or referral to outside resources to help you advance in these areas if needed
• Goal setting and planning skills
• Access or referral to sober living and other step-down services and follow-up care
• Treatment of co-occurring disorders, or dual diagnosis, is available

With help, you can overcome the harmful effects of using DMT. Today can be the day you stop. Call 800-681-1058 (Sponsored) for more information. We are here to help you jumpstart your recovery journey.

Resources

1. Tittarelli, R., Mannocchi, G., Pantano, F., & Romolo, F.S. (2015). Recreational use, analysis, and toxicity of tryptamines. Current Neuropharmacology, 13:26-46.
2. Federal Register. (2009). The Daily Journal of the United States Government. Schedules of Controlled Substances. Placement of 5-Methoxy-N, N-Dimethyltryptamine into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
3. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (2013). DSM-5. American Psychiatric Association.
4. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024). Serotonin Syndrome. MedlinePlus.
5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2023). Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/hallucinogens
6. McLellan, A.T. & McKay, J.R. (1998). The Treatment of Addiction: What Can Research Offer Practice? Bridging the Gap between Practice and Research: Forging Partnerships with Community-Based Drug and Alcohol Treatment. Penn-VA Center for Studies of Addiction and The Treatment Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. National Academies Press.