Extended DMT Trips
When ingested orally, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is rapidly metabolized in the gastrointestinal system by monoamine oxidase (MAO) which renders it psychologically inactive. In both recreational and ritual settings, DMT is commonly given in the form of ayahuasca, a brew containing DMT and harmala alkaloids that inhibit MAO, which upon oral ingestion, leads to alterations in consciousness lasting for 4–6 h. Alternatively, DMT can be inhaled (vaping/smoking), or administered parenterally (e.g., intramuscularly, or intravenously as a bolus). These forms of administration result in a very short duration of subjective effects: when administered via bolus intravenous (IV) injection, DMT’s subjective effects begin within seconds, reaching their peak intensity within 2–3 min and subsiding thereafter, with negligible effects felt after about 30 min. IV DMT administration allows for precise control over dosing, which makes it the preferred route of administration for investigating its effects i...