Inhaled Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): Use Patterns and Predictors of Consumption Frequency.

Area of Science:

• Psychopharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Ethnopharmacology

Background:

• Increasing interest in psychedelic therapeutics.
• Limited research on inhaled N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT).
• Poor understanding of factors influencing inhaled DMT use frequency.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate correlates of inhaled DMT use frequency.
• Understand user motivations, substance sources, and risk perceptions.
• Inform harm reduction and educational strategies for inhaled DMT.

Main Methods:

• Online survey of nearly 400 inhaled DMT users.
• Collected data on substance use histories, motivations, DMT sources, and risk perceptions.
• Recruited participants from internet sites focused on DMT.

Main Results:

• Curiosity, broader psychedelic interest, and spiritual benefits were key motivations for initiation.
• Prior use of other psychedelics (especially ayahuasca) and self-extraction correlated with higher inhaled DMT frequency.
• Most users obtained DMT from friends, finding it slightly difficult to procure.
• Common use settings included private homes, alone or in small groups, often via glass pipe.
• Positive experiences included psychological cleansing; challenges involved difficult integration and aversive experiences.
• Participants generally rated inhaled DMT as safe.

Conclusions:

• Inhaled DMT use is associated with specific motivations and user profiles.
• Harm reduction and education are needed, given media coverage of potential therapeutic effects.
• Further research is warranted to understand the correlates and impacts of inhaled DMT use.