Phenomenology and content of the inhaled N, N-dimethyltryptamine (N, N-DMT) experience.
David Wyndham Lawrence, Robin Carhart-Harris, Roland R. Griffiths, Christopher Timmermann
Scientific Reports May 24, 2022 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11999-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 3,778 |
| Population | Naturalistic inhaled N,N-DMT experiences posted to the r/DMT Reddit community |
| Interventions | inhaled N N-DMT |
| Dose | 40.0 mg |
| Duration | 10-year period from 2009 to 2018 |
| Topics | 5-MeO-DMT DMT Philosophy of mind |
| Citations | 64 |
| Key findings | Common phenomenological themes of inhaled N,N-DMT experiences include somatic effects, visualizations, entity encounters (45.5% of experiences), and descriptions of alternate dimensions, with predominantly positive interactions and frequent mystical features. |
Abstract
Understanding the phenomenology and content of the inhaled N, N, dimethyltryptamine (N, N-DMT) experience is critical to facilitate and support ongoing research and therapeutic models targeting mental health conditions and central nervous system pathology. A qualitative analysis was conducted of all N, N-DMT experiences posted to the r/DMT Reddit community over a 10-year period from 2009 to 2018. A total of 3778 experiences from 3305 posts were included in this study. A median dose of N, N-DMT of 40.0 mg [interquartile range (IQR), 27.5 to 50.0] and a median experience duration of 10 min (IQR, 5.0 to 15.0) were identified. The most common somatic effects were somaesthesias (n = 1415, 37.5%) and an auditory ringing (n = 583, 15.4%). Visualizations predominantly consisted of fractals, shapes, patterns (n = 1231, 32.6%) and vivid colours (n = 953, 25.2%). Entity encounters were reported in 45.5% (n = 1719) of the experiences and involved predominantly a feminine phenotype (n = 416, 24.2%); deities (n = 293, 17.0%); aliens (n = 281, 16.3%); creature-based entities (n = 158, 9.2%, including reptilian and insectoid beings); mythological beings (n = 144, 8.4%, including machine elves); and jesters (n = 112, 6.5%). Entity interactions were predominantly positive (n = 600, 34.9% of encounters) involving benevolent, comforting, protecting, or outwardly caring interactions. A companion-type, pedagogical, or guide-type interaction was identified 32.4% of encounters (n = 557). Common typology, architecture, and structural features of the "DMT world" included descriptions of alternate or higher dimensions (n = 952, 25.2%); rooms [n = 582, 15.4%, including the "waiting room" (n = 105, 2.8%)], and a tunnel (n = 390, 10.3%). Features of mystical and ego-dissolution experiences were common. Additional rewarding aspects were identified, including a sense of familiarity and the acceptance/removal of the fear of death. Challenging and difficult responses were less frequent but also documented. Statements of profundity were identified in 232 experiences (6.1%), including pronouncing the experience or an aspect of the experience as the most "beautiful" or feeling the most "beautiful" of their life (n = 47, 1.2%). This study identified common phenomenological themes and content of naturalistic inhaled N, N-DMT experiences. Major thematic domains included (1) physical and somatic experiences; (2) visualizations and imagery; (3) entity encounters including entity phenotype, descriptors, attributes, disposition, and characteristics of the interaction; (4) typology, architectural features, structural characteristics, and scenery of the "DMT world"; (5) alerations in consciousness (including mystical experiences, out-of-body experiences, and ego-dissolution); (6) emotional responses (including positive, rewarding, difficult, and challenging); and (7) statements of profundity.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on 5-MeO-DMT, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The content of complex psychedelic experiences resulting from inhalation of N,N-dimethyltryptamine People who smoked N,N-dimethyltryptamine and posted narrative accounts online | 2023 | Qualitative study | |
| Phenomenology and Content of the Inhaled N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (N, N-DMT) Experience Users of the r/DMT Reddit community who posted about their inhaled N,N-DMT experiences... | 2022 | Qualitative analysis | n = 3,778 |
| 5-MeO-DMT in the complete resolution of the consequences of chronic, severe sexual abuse in early childhood—a retrospective case study A woman in her mid-thirties with severe childhood trauma | 2024 | Retrospective ethnographic inquiry | n = 1 |
| Exploratory Insights into 5-MeO-DMT Experiences on Reddit: A Thematic Analysis Reddit posts about 5-MeO-DMT experiences | 2026 | Qualitative study | n = 120 |
| Fabricated Ancestrality: The Sonoran Desert Toad, Psychedelic Globalization, and the Ecological Politics of 5-MeO-DMT | 2026 | Historical analysis and ethnographic study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 61
- Human brain effects of DMT assessed via EEG-fMRI. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences March 28, 2023
- Psychological and physiological effects of extended DMT. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2024
- Effects of DMT on mental health outcomes in healthy volunteers Scientific Reports February 7, 2024
- Rapid and sustained antidepressant effects of vaporized N,N-dimethyltryptamine: a phase 2a clinical trial in treatment-resistant depression. Neuropsychopharmacology May 1, 2025
- Potential therapeutic effects of an ayahuasca-inspired N,N-DMT and harmine formulation: a controlled trial in healthy subjects. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2023
and 56 more in the library
Cites 50
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Evidence for 5-HT2 involvement in the mechanism of action of hallucinogenic agents. Life Sciences December 17, 1984
- The Standardized Psychometric Assessment of Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs) in Humans Pharmacopsychiatry July 1, 1998
- Ego-Dissolution and Psychedelics: Validation of the Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI) Frontiers in Human Neuroscience June 14, 2016
- Dose-Response Study of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine in Humans Archives of General Psychiatry February 1, 1994
and 45 more in the library