PROFILES OF PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS
DMT
Journal of Psychedelic Drugs 8: 167-168. 1976
by Alexander T. Shulgin
With this issue we are introducing a new column which will
present thumbnail sketches of the known psychedelic drugs. Rather than
an attempt to review the existing literature on each drug (some would have
hundreds of references and some perhaps two), the facts that are known
concerning history, human pharmacology and human psychopharmacology will
be amalgamated into a "profile." The drugs to be presented will be chosen
randomly, rather than with preference given to popularity, unusual potency,
or current availability. Botanical mixtures will not be considered as such,
but as their known active compnents. As there are upwards of a hundred
psychedelic drugs currently known, it is expected that these "profiles"
will eventually form an extensive reference atlas of compactly presented
drug information.
1. DMT
Description and properties:
DMT, N,N-diemethyltryptamine, Nigerine, desoxybufotenine, 3-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-indole
is a white, pungent-smelling, crystalline solid with a melting point of
49-50 degrees Celsius, hydrochloride salt hygroscopic, picrate m.p. 171-172
degrees Celsius and methiodide m.p. 215-216 degrees Celsius. It is insoluble
in water, but soluble in organic solvents and aqueous acids.
History:
DMT was first synthesized in 1931, and demonstrated to be hallucinogenic
in 1956. It has been shown to be present in many plant genera (Acacia,
Anandenanthera, Mimosa, Piptadenia, Virola)
and is a major component of several hallucinogenic snuffs (cohoba, parica,
yopo). It is also present in the intoxicating beverage "ayahuasca" made
from Banisteriopsis caapi, and it may have oral effectiveness due to the
presence of several naturally occuring inhibitors of catabolic deamination.
Human Biochemistry and Pharmacology:
Both the parent compound tryptamine and the N-methyltransferase system
which is capable of converting it to DMT occur in humans, but there is
as yet no evidence that DMT is formed "in vivo." DMT has nonetheless been
identified in trace amounts in the blood and urine of both normals and
of schizophrenic patients, but its origins and functions are unknown. Following
intramuscular administration, maximum blood levels of about 100 ng/ml are
observed in 10 minutes, coincident with the maximum changes in electroencephalographic
responses. The plasma clearance t-1/2 [half-life] is about 15 minutes.
Elevated blood levels of indoleacetic acid (IAA) are seen during the time
of peak effects, implying its role as a metabolite. Urine levels of IAA
are also elevated and account for about 30% of the administered drug. An
increase in 5-hydroxy-IAA excretion suggests the involvement of serotonin
in DMT action. Unchanged DMT is not excreted.
Human Psychopharmacology:
DMT is inactive orally at dosages of over 1000mg. With intramuscular injection,
there is an abrupt threshold of activity shown with 30mg, and a complete
psychedelic experience results from the administration of 50-70mg (75mg
subcutaneously, 30mg by inhalation). An unusual feature of the induced
intoxication is the speed of onset and short duration. Within 5 minutes
of administration there is mydriasis [dilated pupils], tachycardia [rapid
heart beat], a measurable increase in blood pressure, and related vegetative
disturbances which usually persist througout the drug experience. In 10-15
minutes, the full intoxication is realized, generally characterized by
hallucinations with the eyes either open or closed, and extensive movement
within the visual field. There is difficulty in the expression of one's
thoughts, and in concentration on a given subject. There is usually a mood
change to the euphoric with unmotivated laughter, but instances have been
reported in which paranoid ideation has promoted anxieties and feelings
of forboding into a state of panic. The subject is largely symptom-free
at 60 minutes, although some residual effects have been seen in the second
hour. With the inhalation route of administration the time scale is contracted,
with onset of effects noted in 10 seconds, a short period of full intoxication
at 2-3 minute, and a complete freedom from any residual effects within
10 minutes. At higher drug levels, there are increased vegetative symptoms,
and these effectively overwhelm the psychedelic experience at dosages of
150mg i.m. Interactions with other drugs are rarely seen; a sensitivity
has been observed with pretreatment with methlysergide, but there is no
cross-tolerance with LSD. Repeated usage does not appear to lead to either
physical or psychological dependency.
Legal Status:
DMT is explicitly named as a Schedule I drug in the Federal Controlled
Substances Act; registry number 7435.
DMT
[Excerpt from a pharmacology textbook published in 1988]
Chemical structure and source:
This is the prototype member of the tryptamine subclass of indole derivatives.
The structural formula is:
/\ (CH2)2-N(CH3)2
// \ ____/
| || ||
| || ||
\\ /\ /
\/ \N/
H
N,N-dimethyltryptamine
The drug is a constituent of many of the same South American snuffs and
drinks that contain other psychedelic indole deriviatives, it is often
found in the same plants as 5-MeO-DMT, and Indians add a substance containing
it to drinks containing harmala alkaloids. DMT is the major constituent
of the bark of Virola calophylla, mentioned above; it is also found
in the seeds of Anadenanthera peregina; in the seeds of the vine
Mimosa hostilis, used in eastern Brazil to make a drink called "ajuca"
or "jurema"; in the leaves of Banisteriopsis rusbyana, which are
added to the harmaline drinks derived from other plants of the Banisteriopsis
genus to make "oco-yage"; and in the leaves of Psychotria viridis,
also added to the Banisteriopsis drinks. Like 5-MeO-DMT, DMT must
be combined with monoamine oxydase inhibitors to become active orally.
Dose:
First strong effects are felt at about 50mg, whether it is smoked or injected.
Tolerance develops only after extremely frequent use - injections every
two hours for three weeks in rats; at that dose frequency, but not otherwise,
there is also a cross-tolerance between DMT and LSD (Rosenberg et al. 1964;
Kovacic and Domino, 1976).
Physiological effects:
Resembles LSD, but sympathomimetic symptoms like dilated pupils, heightened
blood pressure, and increased pulse rate are more common and more intense.
Psychological Effects:
Like LSD but often more intense. Since it is not taken by mouth, the effects
come on suddenly and can be overwhelming. The term "mind blowing" might
have been invented for this drug. The experience was described by Alan
Watts as like "being fired out of the nozzle of an atomic cannon" (Leary
1968a p.215). Thoughts and visions crowd in at great speed; a sense of
leaving or transcending time and a feeling that objects have lost all form
and dissolved into a play of vibrations are characteristic. The effect
can be like instant transportation to another universe for a timeless sojourn.
Duration of action:
When DMT is smoked or injected, effects begin in seconds, reach a peak
in five to twenty minutes and end after a half hour or so. This has earned
it the name "businessman's trip." The brevity of the experience make its
intensity bearable, and, for some, desirable.
At least two synthetic drugs in which the methyl group of DMT is replaced
by a higher radical are psychedelic:
/\ (CH2)2-N(C2H5)2 /\ (CH2)2-N(CH2CH2CH2)2
// \ ____/ // \ ____/
| || || | || ||
| || || | || ||
\\ /\ / \\ /\ /
\/ \N/ \/ \N/
H H
N,N-diethyltryptamine N,N-dipropyltryptamine
The drug DET is active at the same dose as DMT and the effects last slightly
longer, about one and a half to two hours. DPT is longer-acting still and
has fewer autonomic side effects. In therapeutic experiments its action
continues for one and a half to two hours at the lowest effective dose,
15 to 30mg, and for four to six hours at doses in the range of 60 to 150mg.
Both DET and DPT are milder than DMT. The drug 6-FDET (6-fluorodiethyltryptamine)
resembles DET in its effects. All these drugs, like DMT, are inactive orally
and must be smoked or injected. Dibutyltryptamine (DBT) and higher substitutions
are inert, but other synthetic drugs related to DMT may be psychoactive.