Introduction

[clockworkepiphany]

Hello ,
I am unfamiliar with DMT other than the information on the web.
I am an Agoraphobic with intolerable social anxiety. I recently came across an article stating DMT has possibilities of helping tremendously with similar issues. This forum seems to be very knowledgeable of DMT so, according I am seeking answers that I cannot find elsewhere. If anyone can help me with some questions, it would be greatly appreciated.
Can DMT help if only taken once?
Are there high risks, after effects of your trip?
Do you think it can help with my symtoms?
Is a Shamin needed to take DMT?
Or are there treatment centers of some type that take a medicinal look on DMT rather than spiritual?

Thank You
-VeryLost

 

[naepius]

As a fellow sufferer of social anxiety over the past 25 years, I can tell you that any alleviation of such symptoms will likely be a result of coming to understand yourself better as opposed to the specific neurological action of DMT.

DXM was a wonder drug for my anxiety, but it fit the latter pattern I stated above. The effects would wear off, leaving me in a worse situation of having felt no anxiety for a few days and then being thrust back into the fray without really understanding any better why I would get anxious in the first place. I DO NOT recommend going this route - just throwing the info out there for comparative purposes.

I don't think a single dose of DMT would be highly effective in alleviating your anxiety, but then again - it very well could. It will surely open your mind to the inner workings of your interpersonal relationships, and likely shed some light on the source of the anxiety. The realization of there being no reason at all for it could be an epiphany that DMT is very well suited to bring about. It may take some time, though. Even working up with small doses, I've had a few rough rides - but even the rough ones will leave you glad you did it. My mildly 'bad trips' have, as a matter of fact, been the most revealing on matters of psychological issues.

The after effects of DMT have been very manageable for me. About an hour after a trip, they are practically non-existent besides the memories of the experience. Integrating those memories could be a significant hurdle if you are not experienced with psychedelics - and if so, starting out low and slow is highly advised. In terms of risk - if you consider being able to approach very deep conversations with loved ones shortly after a trip with no anxiety at all a risk - then yeah, there are risks a plenty I like to think of social anxiety as stemming from a subconscious desire to be in control of certain social situations. DMT has a very profound ability to show us exactly how futile trying to control anything but our own actions can be. Once you are able to begin letting go of that desire for control, you can start building upon the ability to accept and be at ease with that which you cannot control.

If a Shaman/sitter is needed depends entirely on you and prior psychedelic experience. Since you are working with social anxiety issues, an unfamiliar person near you could turn out to be more of a bad thing than a good one. Although I always trip alone, I don't advise trying anything for the first time without someone trustworthy nearby that knows what's going on. I know, "Do as I say, not as I do!" right? I actually can't wait 'til my daughters are old enough for me to use that

 

[Plasmatis]

It's possible that it helps. After 1-2 month of taking spice 1-2 times a week, I started to find myself more opened to others and less anxious. It could be seasonal change but I believe it's not.

It changes your life. Actually, life is changed by you after understanding something. If you don't change, there is nobody who will do it instead of you, and you will stay at same place. It's iterative process - trip, change, trip, change. Find one hour free from distractions and this will be enough for your trip.

 

[Ironhorse]

I suppose this all depends on your previous treatment attempts, both chemical and experiential. Zen and the Art of Happiness is a book that helped me with my near agoraphobia and severe depression. Drugs will never be an answer, but they can help you find answers.