5-MeO-DMT is illegal in the United States, this review is for informational purposes only.

5-MeO-DMT stands for 5-methoxy-dimethyltryptamine, which is a strong psychoactive tryptamine found in a number of plants as well as in the venom and skin of psychoactive toads. 5-MeO-DMT has been used by South American shamans for rituals and other religious ceremonies as an entheogen, which is a psychoactive substance used in religious practices. The psychoactive effects were later discovered in the 20th century.

5-MeO-DMT has traditionally been used in snuff produced from virola bark resin and from plants such as Chaliponga, or Diplopterys cabrerana as it is scientifically called. This substance is also found in the Colorado River Toad’s venom which has recently been discovered to have hallucinogenic effects.

There are various ways of ingesting 5-MeO-DMT including smoking, snorting, swallowing or injecting. The most common ways, however, are smoking and snorting. It does not take much ingestion of the product to experience the effects. In fact, only about 2 mg worth is necessary to begin to feel sensations quite instantly. Once it is ingested, the effects can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes to begin, depending on the method of consumption. The effects also vary according the way 5-MeO-DMT is ingested. For example, when smoking the substance, the effects peak at about five minutes and can last up to ten minutes. When snorted, the peaking effects are not as strong as smoking, but can last for fifteen to twenty-five minutes.

The effects of 5-MeO-DMT do not include any visual experiences or enhancements like other substances do, including the close relative of 5-MeO-DMT such as DMT and bufotenin. This substance is generally used as a recreational drug as well as for gaining insight. These experiences of 5-MeO-DMT come in a wide variety ranging from positive to negative.

When smoked, the intense positive effects include having visions that are not visual, experiencing what is known as the “void,” shattering of the universe, strong forces and rushing sensations, perspective shifts, spirituality, sensual and erotic sensations, euphoria and mental insight. Other effects include lack of perception of time and memory, muscle jerking, twitching, and unconsciousness. Negative effects can include nausea, bodily pressures, fear, panic and even violent actions.

When snorted, a user can experience positive effects such as perspective shifts, spirituality, sensuality and eroticism, and euphoria. As the effects enter the negative realm, users begin to experience highly intense sensations, nasal dripping, fear, panic, nausea and vomiting.

While the effects vary depending on how 5-MeO-DMT is taken, the range of the experiences is quite similar. Some of the risks involved with this substance include pressure on the lungs when smoked. 5-MeO-DMT is not legal in many countries as a drug including Denmark and Germany and is controlled in others such as Greece and Sweden. While this substance was used for religious practices by South Americans beginning in the 8th century A.D., it has become more of a recreational drug and highly popular for its intense effects in modern times. As a result of the possible outcomes, it is advisable that 5-MeO-DMT is used with precautions.