DMT (N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is a highly hallucinogenic tryptamine drug that produces intense visual and auditory hallucinations in people. It is also a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, meaning it is illegal to manufacture, distribute or possess.

DMT and ayahuasca

In indigenous culture, dmt release is a central component of ayahuasca, a psychoactive tea-like drink that often serves as a sacrament or a religious ritual. This brew is often taken by individuals to facilitate enlightenment and insight, but there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting its use as a therapy or medical treatment.

DMT Release: Exploring the Mysteries and Potential Benefits of the Spirit Molecule

Several studies have shown that DMT concentration increases in the brain following induced cardiac arrest, suggesting that it may play a role in near-death experiences. However, it has been difficult to determine if this is because of an endogenous release or simply because the brain is being stressed by cardiac arrest.

We used microdialysates to evaluate the amount of DMT in rat brain tissues before and after experimentally-induced cardiac arrest. DMT concentrations were not different in pineal-intact and pinealectomized rats at baseline, and there was a significant increase in DMT after cardiac arrest. The average cortical DMT concentration was 1.02 nM in pineal-intact rats, and 2.10 nM in pinealectomized rats. This was comparable to the baseline concentration of canonical monoamine neurotransmitters, including 5-HT.