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Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): Prevalence, user characteristics and abuse liability in a large global sample

Adam Winstock, Stephen J. Kaar, Rohan Borschmann

Journal of Psychopharmacology November 27, 2013 DOI: 10.1177/0269881113513852 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed
Sample size 22,289
Population People who completed the Global Drug Survey online in 2012, many of whom have used drugs
Topics LSD Psilocybin 5-MeO-DMT DMT
Keywords Hallucinogen Abuse liability Popularity Drug
Citations 101
Key findings DMT produces a strong, intense, short-lived psychedelic high with few negative effects, and its popularity may be increasing.

Abstract

This paper presents original research on prevalence, user characteristics and effect profile of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a potent hallucinogenic which acts primarily through the serotonergic system. Data were obtained from the Global Drug Survey (an anonymous online survey of people, many of whom have used drugs) conducted between November and December 2012 with 22,289 responses. Lifetime prevalence of DMT use was 8.9% ( n=1980) and past year prevalence use was 5.0% ( n=1123). We explored the effect profile of DMT in 472 participants who identified DMT as the last new drug they had tried for the first time and compared it with ratings provided by other respondents on psilocybin (magic mushrooms), LSD and ketamine. DMT was most often smoked and offered a strong, intense, short-lived psychedelic high with relatively few negative effects or “come down”. It had a larger proportion of new users compared with the other substances (24%), suggesting its popularity may increase. Overall, DMT seems to have a very desirable effect profile indicating a high abuse liability that maybe offset by a low urge to use more.

Comparable studies

Other cross-sectional and survey studies on DMT, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Survey of subjective "God encounter experiences": Comparisons among naturally occurring experiences and those occasioned by the classic psychedelics psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, or DMT Adults reporting a single most memorable God encounter experience, either nondrug or... 2019 Cross-sectional survey n = 4,285
Survey of entity encounter experiences occasioned by inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine: Phenomenology, interpretation, and enduring effects. People who had a memorable entity encounter after taking N,N-dimethyltryptamine 2020 Survey n = 2,561
5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety. Adults who used 5-MeO-DMT in a group setting with structured procedures 2019 Cross-sectional survey n = 362
The epidemiology of 5-methoxy- N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) use: Benefits, consequences, patterns of use, subjective effects, and reasons for consumption. Adults who use 5-MeO-DMT, recruited via internet-based advertisements; predominantly... 2018 Cross-sectional survey n = 515
Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): Subjective effects and patterns of use among Australian recreational users Australian adults reporting at least one lifetime use of DMT 2010 Cross-sectional survey n = 121

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LSD Psilocybin 5-MeO-DMT DMT Ketamine Serotonin