Frankie’s first psychedelic experience wasn’t with acid or magic mushrooms, but with something more niche and fabled for its spiritual properties.
'I smoked DMT' Frankie, whose name has been changed, told The Debrief. 'It had a really harsh, plasticky taste. As with any drug, you wonder when it will kick in and half way through that thought, it kicked in.'
Frankie, who’d taken DMT sat in a dark living room at the tail end of a house party, said the room flooded with light. 'It was very vibrant and bright. People’s faces became bright yellow and their skin really smooth. It looked like a 90s computer game. Someone smiled at me and the creases in their face became valleys.'
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DMT, or N,N-dimethyltryptamine, activates the serotonin receptors in the brain, which is what leads to hallucinations and distorted perception. Dr Rick Strassman, author of DMT: The Spirit Molecule and one of the world’s leading authorities in the substance, told The Debrief: 'DMT, like other psychedelics, works primarily through the stimulation of certain receptors in the brain in order to exert its psychological effects.'
On another occasion that Frankie smoked DMT, things became more full-on. 'There was an ocean made of stained glass window that was flowing,' they said. 'There were peaks and troughs that I could just about remember were my friends. The colours were overwhelming. My body felt heavy and like it was somehow holding me back, that it was a weight on my mind.'
Frankie said they closed their eyes to have peace from the dramatic scene unfolding, but that it became even more striking. 'It was like staring into a void, but that implies darkness, and this was just so bright. Then huge figures that were vaguely sentient appeared and moved from left to right and then towards me. It wasn't scary, but it was a lot to take in.'
DMT can either be smoked or injected and its effects last about 15 minutes. When mixed with a monoamine-oxidase inhibitor (a chemical that helps the brain cells communicate better with each other) it makes the drinkable ayahuasca, the ancient brew that’s become the latest extreme wellness trendthanks to its alleged ability to trigger a spiritual awakening. Drunk as ayahuasca, the effects tend to be more long-lasting and often it’s taken in a setting with a shaman, or spiritual guide.
'There are many field reports indicating positive effects of ayahuasca in the proper setting on a number of psychiatric and medical problems,' Strassman said. 'These are now being investigated in more controlled laboratory environments for conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder.'
Strassman said there have not been any specific studies on the therapeutic benefits of DMT on its own, but that he’s heard anecdotally from people who’ve taken it that it’s helped alleviate a range of medical problems.
DMT is an organic compound that comes from plants; Strassman’s research suggests that it also occurs in the body, which is why it’s sometimes known as the ‘spirit molecule’, or ‘God drug’.
‘The fact that DMT is made in the human body naturally, [also known as] endogenously, lends credence to the notion that non-drug states that resemble those caused by administering DMT may have something to do with endogenous DMT,’ Strassman said.
‘DMT appears to reliably induce experiences that in other circumstances would be referred to as spiritual. These include such things as visions and voices, ecstasy or terror, out of body experience, new insights and inspiration,’ he added.
There have been some ayahuasca trips that have turned fatally violent, such as the case of Unais Gomes who was stabbed to deathby Joshua Stevens at a retreat in Peru. Initial reports suggested both men had taken ayahuasca, but it has since been claimed that the toxicology report found only Gomes had taken it. These incidents are rare, and like all psychedelics, DMT is considered, in theory, to be relatively safe. The chances of getting addicted to it are slim to none, and overdosing on it – if smoked – is highly unlikely.
However, as Strassman emphasised, the real harm that can happen is to the mind. ‘The full DMT experience is quite overwhelming psychologically, so one must be in good mental health,’ he said. ‘Anyone with a current or past history of major psychiatric problems are to avoid it unless they are participating in a research study intended to treat such problems with psychedelics.’ Strassman also said that people with heart conditions should steer clear of DMT as taking it can raise blood pressure and heart rate.
While taking any illicit substance carries risks, Strassman said the best way to stay safe when taking DMT is to be mindful of the setting. Do some research into the substance and take it somewhere familiar with people you trust.
When Frankie took it, they had read about how some people have claimed to have had revelatory experiences. ‘It's the most out there sensory experience I’ve ever had,’ they said. ‘But it's not made me grow as a person. Maybe if you are more spiritual, you find it more profound but I didn't learn anything about myself.'
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.