DMT: effects and mechanism of action of this substance.

A psychoactive substance related to hallucinations and with a potent effect on the brain.

DMT is a psychoactive substance with potent hallucinogenic effects.. It is a compound present in various plants, and to a lesser extent in the brain of mammals. It is also an element that has been frequently used in mystical and spiritual rituals throughout time. In recent times, its use has also been transferred to pharmacology in different psychiatric treatments.

Below we will see what DMT is, what are its main effects and what is its mechanism of action.

What is DMT?

DMT is the acronym that refers to N,N-dimethyltryptamine, a chemical substance with potent hallucinogenic properties that is obtained from plant substances.. Its consumption can be in the form of an extract, or as a refined synthetic. In the latter case, the product is a small solid that usually has a white color, although when mixed with other substances for illegal sale it can have different colors.

This substance is consumed orally, either by ingestion or by inhalation (i.e. smoked). In both cases its effects are perceived almost immediately, although when it is consumed by inhalation, its effect is faster and avoids the possible adverse reactions caused by its absorption by the stomach at the moment of ingestion.

As it is a component that can be found in one or several plant elements, DMT is considered an enzyme-type substance. is considered as an entheogenic substance.. One of these elements is, for example, psychotria vidris or chacruna, a plant used to prepare ayahuasca or yagé (a traditional indigenous drink used by several American peoples).

Likewise, and in small proportions, DMT is produced by our own brain, so it is also considered an endogenous chemical substance. On the other hand, DMT belongs to the pharmacological category of tryptamines, which are alkaloids with neuromodulatory effects.

Finally, because of its effects on the organism, DMT is considered a psychoactive substance of the hallucinogenic type. That is to say, its main effect is to produce hallucinationswith a special existential and mystical content. For this reason it is also known as "the molecule of God".

Mechanism of action

DMT acts by inhibiting an enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO). That is, it is activated when another substance prevents MAO from acting within the organism. This is because the main function of this enzyme, MAO, is to inactivate or degrade some neurotransmitters, among which we find dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and also DMT.and also DMT.

In other words, when monoamine oxidase activity is inhibited, DMT levels are also prevented from gradually decreasing. Thus, for DMT to have its effects, it must be mixed with some substance that is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).

Some substances that act as MAOIs are alkaloids of the beta-carboline class, present in plants such as Cape vinca, ryegrass, or fescue arundinacea. On the other hand, plants containing DMT (whose analog in pharmacology is the group of tryptamines) are chacruna or chaliponga.

In short, in order for DMT to have its effects, it is necessary to to mix this tryptamine with an MAOI substance.. For the same reason, DMT is usually consumed together with drugs of this type, originally used for the treatment of depression. By mixing them, the effects of DMT are potentiated and prolonged, although these usually last no more than 30 minutes.

However, DMT can also be consumed without the need for MAOI substances and drugs, having an imperceptible effect. It is rapidly metabolized in the body and its consumption without MAOIs does not generate tolerance, probably due to its endogenous and entheogenic nature.

Three main effects and uses

The effects of DMT usually last between 5 and 30 minutes and are mainly hallucinations of various types. Although these effects have a short duration, the experiences they provoke are usually very intense. DMT has also been related to brain activity and to the pharmacological treatment of some diagnoses. pharmacological treatment of some psychiatric diagnoses.. Following the above, we will see below three of its main effects.

1. Hallucinations

As we have said, the main effect of DMT is to provoke hallucinations, visual, auditory and sensory, with a quite elaborate mystical content. For example, it can include extrasensory or non-verbal communications with different beings or the perception of having made astral travels.

Likewise, its prolonged use and in high doses can induce manic and psychotic episodes, or an increase in the symptomatology associated with these states. In the same way (and as it usually happens with psychoactive substances), it can generate withdrawal syndromes after an abrupt withdrawal.

2. Hypotheses about its role in the brain

The functions of this substance in the brain of humans and animals remain a mystery. Some hypotheses maintain that it is involved in dream experiences, i.e., in visual effectsthat is to say, in the visual effects developed when we dream. Also, some hypotheses say that it may serve as a precursor of near-death experiences. The latter is another reason why it is considered as "the molecule of God" or "molecule of the spirit".

3. Medical use

Likewise, this substance has been related to some neurodegenerative medical conditions, due to its activity in the Sigma-1 receptor (a protein found in a large part of the central nervous system). For the same reason, its use has been related in an important way with different psychiatric diagnoses such as schizophrenia, and also with the treatment of depression.and also with the treatment of depression.

The latter may be related to an increase in the global connectivity of some areas of the brain, as well as to a potentiating effect of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, associated with euphoric mood states, although there is no consensus in the scientific community on this.

Bibliographic references:

• Brown, T.; Shao, W.; Ayub, S.; Chong, D. & Cornelius, C. (2017). A Physician's Attempt to Self-Medicate Bipolar Depression with N,NDimethyltryptamine (DMT), Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. Taylor & Francis Group. United States of America.
• Miliano, C., Serpelloni, G., Rimondo, C., Mereu, M., Matteo, M. and De Luca, MA. (2016). Neuropharmacology of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS): Focus on the Rewarding and Reinforcing Properties of Cannabimimetics and Amphetamine-Like Stimulants. Front Neuroscience, 10: 153.
• Sanchez-Monge, M. (2016). LSD's journey from counterculture to the treatment of psychiatric pathologies. Diario Médico, Madrid. Retrieved September 11, 2018. Available at https://www.diariomedico.com/especialidades/salud-mental/el-viaje-del-lsd-desde-la-contracultura-al-tratamiento-de-las-patologias-psiquiatricas.html.
• Wallach, JV. (2009). Endogenous hallucinogens as ligands of the trace amine receptors: a possible role in sensory perception. Med Hypotheses, 72(1): 91-94.