N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)

N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)

Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division Drug & Chemical Evaluation Section

December 2025 N,N-DIMETHYLTRYPTAMINE (DMT) DEA/DC/DOE

Introduction: nystagmus (involuntary rapid rhythmic movement of the eye), dizziness, and ataxia (muscular incoordination).

Human experience with N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) According to American Association of Poison Control spans several hundred years due to the associated use in Centers data, coma and respiratory arrest have been religious practices and rituals. As a naturally occurring associated with DMT exposures.

substance in several species of plants, DMT is present in South American snuffs and brewed concoctions, like Licit Uses: ayahuasca and hoasca. DMT can also be produced DMT has no approved medical use in the United States.

synthetically. The original synthesis was conducted by a

British chemist, Richard Manske, in 1931. Illicit Uses: DMT gained popularity as a drug of abuse in the 1960s and DMT is used for its psychoactive effects. The intense was placed under federal control in schedule I when the effects and short duration of action are attractive to Controlled Substances Act was passed in 1971. Today, individuals who want the psychedelic experience, but who DMT is still encountered on the illicit market alongside a do not choose to experience the mind-altering perceptions number of other tryptamine hallucinogens. over the extended periods of time associated with other hallucinogens, like LSD.

Chemistry:

According to the Food and Drug Administration’s Adverse DMT (CAS 31-50-7), like other indolethylamine Event Reporting System (FAERS), DMT was involved in hallucinogens, consists of the tryptamine core structure 44 cases from 2003 to 2025. Of those cases, 37 were (left structure below). DMT is formed by substituting two classified as serious and 10 involved death. The largest methyl (–CH3) groups for the two hydrogen atoms (H) on annual number of adverse events was reported in 2025 the terminal nitrogen of the ethylamine side chain of with 14 cases involving DMT: 10 were classified as serious tryptamine.

and 6 involved death.

NH2 N User Population:

DMT is a recreational drug that is also used for religious or ceremonial purposes internationally. Evidence indicates that the main users of DMT, similar to other schedule I N N hallucinogens, are college students and young adults. H H Illicit Distribution:

Tryptamine DMT DMT is extracted from various plant material or synthetically produced in clandestine labs. Like other Pharmacology:

hallucinogens, Internet sales and distribution have served Administered alone, DMT is usually smoked or snorted, as the source of drug supply in this country. DEA’s because the oral bioavailability of DMT is very poor unless National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) combined with a substance that inhibits its metabolism. Drug database collects scientifically verified data on drug For example, in ayahuasca, the presence of harmala items and cases submitted to and analyzed by participating alkaloids (harmine, harmaline, tetrahydro-harmaline) federal, state, and local forensic drug laboratories. NFLIS-inhibits the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which normally Drug has received over 11,800 reports of DMT since 1999, metabolizes DMT. Consequently, DMT remains intact long including 589 in 2016, 1,061 in 2021, 799 in 2022, 905 in enough after oral administration to be absorbed in 2023, 817 in 2024, and over 380 in 2025 (reports still sufficient amounts to affect brain function and produce pending). According to NFLIS-Drug, DMT has been

psychoactive effects. encountered in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

In clinical studies, DMT has been administered intravenously and produces strong hallucinogenic effects. Control Status: The onset of DMT effects is very rapid but generally DMT is controlled in schedule I of the Controlled resolves within 30 to 45 minutes. Psychological effects Substances Act.

include intense visual hallucinations, depersonalization, auditory distortions, and an altered sense of time and body Comments and additional information are welcomed by the Drug and

image. Physiological effects include hypertension, Chemical Evaluation Section; Fax 571-362-4250, Telephone 571-362- increased heart rate, agitation, seizures, dilated pupils, 3249, or Email DPE@dea.gov.