RESEARCH MONOGRAPH · KDC-MN-340
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (N,N-DMT)
N,N-dimethyltryptamine is a short-acting psychedelic tryptamine found in many plants (notably Mimosa hostilis and Psychotria viridis) and in trace amounts in mammalian tissue. It binds the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor with high affinity, producing intense visual and noetic effects that come on within minutes when smoked or vaporized and are essentially over within fifteen to thirty minutes. Oral DMT is destroyed by gut MAO, which is why the traditional ayahuasca brew combines DMT-containing leaves with MAO-inhibiting beta-carbolines from the ayahuasca vine. Clinical research has revived after decades of dormancy, with Small Pharma and others running phase 2 trials in depression. Not stocked by Kodiac. This monograph is provided for research and educational reference.
Intrigue 0–100 blends mechanism novelty, evidence strength, and translational potential. Kodiac editorial, not peer-reviewed.
Endogenous tryptamine / 5-HT2A agonist
An endogenous tryptamine; the principal psychoactive constituent of ayahuasca; a high-affinity 5-HT2A receptor agonist.
Abstract
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (N,N-DMT; CAS 61-50-7; molecular formula C12H16N2; molecular weight 188.27) is an endogenous and exogenous tryptamine alkaloid identified in many plants (notably Mimosa hostilis and Psychotria viridis) and at trace concentrations in mammalian tissue. The compound is the principal psychoactive constituent of ayahuasca brews, where harmala beta-carbolines provide MAO-A inhibition that allows oral DMT activity. Pharmacologically, DMT is a high-affinity full agonist at 5-HT2A (Ki approximately 75 nM), 5-HT1A, and 5-HT2C receptors with secondary activity at sigma-1, TAAR1, and other targets. Plasma half-life is extremely short (approximately 15 minutes) owing to rapid MAO-A degradation; oral administration without MAO inhibition is essentially inactive. Behavioral effects include intense visual imagery, altered sense of time, and (at higher doses) sense of communicating with autonomous entities. Approximately 30 active research and clinical trials of DMT and analogs are underway as of 2024 for depression and other psychiatric indications. Schedule I in the US under the CSA. Used as the canonical classical psychedelic in academic neuroscience.
Mechanism of action
High-affinity 5-HT2A, 5-HT1A, 5-HT2C agonist; sigma-1 and TAAR1 secondary activity. Endogenous tryptamine; rapid MAO-A degradation requires MAO inhibition for oral activity.
Reported research dose ranges
Smoked/vaporized 20 to 60 mg; intravenous 0.05 to 0.4 mg/kg in research; oral with MAO inhibitor 30 to 70 mg.
References
- Strassman R. DMT: The Spirit Molecule. 2001.
- Carbonaro TM, Gatch MB. Neuropharmacology of N,N-dimethyltryptamine. Brain Res Bull 2016.
- D'Souza DC, et al. Exploratory study of the dose-related safety, tolerability, and efficacy of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in healthy volunteers and major depressive disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022.
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The full reference document is provided strictly for research use only. It reports research dose ranges from the published literature, not instructions for use in humans or animals.
FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.