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| Tryptamine |
DMT |
Pharmacology:
Administered alone, DMT is
usually snorted, smoked or injected because the oral
bioavailability of DMT is very poor unless it is combined with a
substance that inhibits its metabolism. For example, in
ayahuasca, the presence of harmala alkaloids (harmine, harmaline,
tetrahydro-harmaline) inhibits the enzyme, monoamine oxidase
which normally metabolizes DMT. As a consequence, DMT remains
intact long enough to be absorbed in sufficient amounts to
affect brain function and produce psychoactive effects.
In clinical studies, DMT
was fully hallucinogenic at doses between 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg. The
onset of DMT effects is very rapid but usually resolves within
30 to 45 min. Psychological effects include intense visual
hallucinations, depersonalization, auditory distortions and an
altered sense of time and body image. Physiological effects
include hypertension, increased heartrate, agitation, seizures,
dilated pupils, nystagmus (involuntary rapid rhythmic movement
of the eye), dizziness and ataxia (muscular incoordination). At
high doses, coma and respiratory arrest have occurred.
Illicit Use:
DMT is used for the
psychoactive effects it produces. The intense effects and short
duration of action are attractive to individuals who want the
psychodelic experience but do not choose to experience the mind
altering perceptions over an extended period of time as occurs
with other hallucinogens, like LSD.
DMT is generally smoked or
consumed orally in brews like Ayahuasca. Like most other
hallucinogens, DMT is not associated with physical dependence or
addiction.
Illicit Distribution:
DMT is found in a number
of plant materials and can be extracted or synthetically
produced in clandestine labs. Like other hallucinogens, Internet
sales and distribution have served as the source of drug supply
in this country. According to the System to Retrieve Information
from Drug Evidence (STRIDE), a federal database for the seized
drugs samples analyzed by DEA forensic laboratories, there were
71 drug records and 31 cases involving DMT during 1996 - 2006.
The amounts of drug seized included 10 tablets, 157.562
kilograms of powder and 462.9 liters of liquid containing DMT.
According to the National Forensic Laboratory Information System
(NFLIS), there were a total of 65 state and local cases
involving 82 DMT containing drug items during 1999 - 2006.
According to STRIDE and NFLIS, DMT has been encountered in a
number of states including Alaska, Arkansas, California,
Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana,
Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico,
New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia,
Washington, Wisconsin and District of Columbia
Control Status:
DMT is controlled in
schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
Comments and additional information are welcomed by the Drug and Chemical
Evaluation Section, FAX 202-353-1263 or telephone 202-307-7183.
