How Long Does DMT Last? What To Expect - Healthline

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How Long Does DMT Last?

Medically reviewed by Zara Risoldi Cochrane, Pharm.D., M.S., FASCP — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst on November 25, 2019

Factors
Onset
Duration
Comedown
Drug tests
Risks
Safety tips
Bottom line

DMT, a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, is known for being a relatively fast-acting drug. But how long do its effects actually last?

It varies from person to person, but you can expect the effects of DMT to last up to 30 to 45 minutes if you smoke it, and for about 4 hours if you drink ayahuasca.

Here’s a closer look at the factors that influence how long DMT lasts and how long it stays in your system.

Healthline does not endorse the use of any illegal substances, and we recognize abstaining from them is always the safest approach. However, we believe in providing accessible and accurate information to reduce the harm that can occur when using.

What influences how long it lasts?

The length of a DMT trip depends on a few things, including:

how you take it
how much you take
your body composition

Synthetic DMT is a white, crystalline powder that’s usually vaporized or smoked. Some people inject or snort it. Any of these methods usually produce effects that last for up to 30 to 45 minutes.

DMT is also found in certain plants, which can be combined with other plants to produce the drinkable brew called ayahuasca. When consumed this way, the effects last for about 4 hours.

How long does it take to kick in?

When DMT is smoked or injected, you begin to feel the effects almost immediately. People report they start hallucinating within about 45 seconds.

If you consume DMT by way of ayahuasca, it has to pass through your digestive system first. This adds some time.

Typically, the effects of ayahuasca kick in within 30 to 45 minutes depending on the dosage, whether you’ve got food in your stomach, and your body composition.

How long does it stay in your system?

Your body metabolizes and clears DMT pretty quickly. One study determined that injected DMT reaches its peak concentration in the blood within 10 to 15 minutes and is below the limit of detection within 1 hour.

Are there any comedown effects?

DMT typically has fewer, if any, comedown effects than other hallucinogens, such as LSD. However, some people do report experiencing a pretty rough comedown.

Many people describe experiencing an abrupt comedown within 10 to 15 minutes of tripping. Sometimes a return to hallucinating and other effects follows.

Anxiety, confusion, and fear are just some of the words people use to describe the comedown. Some also report feeling shaken and unsettled for days or weeks.

Others have said their experience left them unable to sleep or focus for several days.

Will it show up on a drug test?

It depends on the type of drug test used.

Hallucinogens are difficult to detect because the body metabolizes them so quickly. A urine or hair follicle test may be able to detect trace amounts of DMT from 24 hours to a few days after use.

However, most standard drug tests don’t look for DMT.

Are there any risks involved?

DMT is a powerful drug that produces a range of short-lived psychological and physical side effects.

Two of the physical side effects are increased heart rate and blood pressure. These can be potentially risky if you already have high blood pressure or a heart condition.

DMT use, especially in high doses, has been associated with serious complications, including:

seizures
respiratory arrest
coma

DMT may also worsen preexisting psychological conditions, particularly schizophrenia. Though rare, hallucinogens can also cause persistent psychosis and hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD).

Serotonin syndrome warning

DMT can result in high levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This can lead to a potentially life threatening condition called serotonin syndrome disorder.

People who use DMT while taking antidepressants, especially monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), have a higher risk for developing this condition.

Seek immediate medical attention if you’ve used DMT and experience the following symptoms:

confusion
disorientation
irritability
anxiety
muscle spasms
muscle rigidity
tremors
shivering
overactive reflexes
dilated pupils

Harm reduction tips

If you’re planning to use DMT, there are a few things you can do to make the experience a bit safer:

Strength in numbers. Don’t use DMT alone. Do it in the company of people you trust.
Find a buddy. Make sure you have at least one sober person around who can intervene if things take a turn.
Consider your surroundings. Be sure to use it in a safe and comfortable place.
Take a seat. Sit or lie down to reduce the risk of falling or injury while you’re tripping.
Keep it simple. Don’t combine DMT with alcohol or other drugs.
Pick the right time. The effects of DMT can be pretty intense. As a result, it’s best to use it when you’re already in a positive state of mind.
Know when to skip it. Avoid using DMT if you’re taking antidepressants, have a heart condition, or already have high blood pressure. Use extreme caution if you have a mental health condition.

The bottom line

As with most other drugs, DMT affects everyone a bit differently. The effects generally last for up to 45 minutes when smoked and about 4 hours when taken orally in the form of ayahuasca.

If you’re concerned about your drug use, you can access free and confidential treatment information by calling the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 800-622-4357 (HELP).

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Barker SA. (2018). N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an endogenous hallucinogen: Past, present, and future research to determine its role and function. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2018.00536
Hallucinogens and dissociative drugs: How do hallucinogens (LSD, psilocybin, peyote, DMT, and ayahuasca) affect the brain and body? (2015).https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/hallucinogens-dissociative-drugs/how-do-hallucinogens-lsd-psilocybin-peyote-dmt-ayahuasca-affect-brain-body
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). (2019).https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/dmt.pdf
Palamar JJ, et al. (2018). Trends in DMT and other tryptamine use among young adults in the United States. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.12803
Riba J, et al. (2003). Human pharmacology of ayahuasca: Subjective and cardiovascular effects, monoamine metabolite excretion, and pharmacokinetics. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.103.049882
Riba J, et al. (2012). Metabolism and disposition of N,N‐dimethyltryptamine and harmala alkaloids after oral administration of ayahuasca. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.1344
Winstock AR, et al. (2013). Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): Prevalence, user characteristics and abuse liability in a large global sample. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881113513852

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Medically reviewed by Zara Risoldi Cochrane, Pharm.D., M.S., FASCP — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst on November 25, 2019

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