Hi epiphany_awakening,
Welcome to the Nexus!
I don't know about you, but my research is an ongoing project, . . . it never ends. The Nexus is a tremendous resource,not just in terms of posts but also members. Also, the "Search" feature (once activated) is very powerful . . .
Anyway, lots of questions here.
Smoking/vaporizing crystalline DMT is NOT the only way to take it. It is an endogenous neurotransmitter with active transport across the blood-brain barrier. You can:
Smoke
Vaporize
Inject IM (intramuscular)
Inject IV (intravenous)
Anal - I've read about people placing in gel cap and trying for rear entry. Also mixing in enemas.
Snorting - I understand that this would be rough for even the hardest core masochist on the planet. Big burn.
Eating is missing from this list because there is a substance in our guts called Monoamine Oxidase that basically cuts the DMT molecule up as soon as it hits the stomach Therefore the DMT cannot reach the blood-brain barrier. If you consume DMT with an MAOI (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor) it will become orally active at generally low doses for most users. These are the various "huascas," with the original having a thousands-year old history in the Amazonian rainforest, being called Ayahuasca and consisting of many plants including Banisteriopsis Caapi and Psychotria Virdis (sp?).
Please take your time in reviewing the links under Preparations and Methods of Administration/Other here at the Nexus:
Other - Welcome to the DMT-Nexus
I cannot comment on many of these, but I can say vaporizing is far superior in terms of dealing with the acrid taste and quality of the trip than smoking. I can also say that vaporizing/smoking is super-intense (buildup about 1 min., peak about 4-9 mins, completely basline in 1 hour) and oral is slower (buildup takes so long for me I think it isn't working - like 30-40 mins, comes on more gently yet hits in waves of intensity, lasts 2-4 hours.
What can you expect from a first trip (
The DMT Nexus - FAQ )? Hard to say. I strongly believe it is dependent on dose, set, setting, intention and whatever might be cooking sub/unconsciously. At lower doses, distortions, hallucinations and beautiful geometry (both closed and open eyed) frequently manifest for users. At middle to higher doses most users often encounter some sort of "entity." Also, at mid to high doses, many people seem to hear a "carrier wave" hallucination. Sometimes I get this while still hitting on the pipe. It is a high-pitched straight or warbling/sirening tinntinitus tone, but it is higher pitched than any tone in reality. Other than that, it seems difficult to generalize with DMT.
One thing is certain though: If you vaporize/smoke, do it from a seated position and/or with a helper ready to take the hardware from you when your eyes close. If you get a decent hit, you will begin to trip almost immediately. Be ready for this. Try to maintain focus. I, personally, believe it is better to forgo the final hit in order to ensure that everthing is safely put down. This way you can lay back and enjoy yourself without worrying about a fire or nasty burn or broken glass . . .
Dr. Strassman noted, and others here (myself inclusive) have noticed that the first minute of a DMT journey can be very psychologically intense - be ready for unresolved material to raise its head. There is a feeling of being laid bare, stripped, wide open within this minute. Nothing is secret, especially from yourself. This can be incredibly therapeutic - I have gotten a lot of work done here. It can also be disturbing and intense.
Are you literally ready for anything? Higher doses can lead to profound experiences. Sometimes super intense feelings/emotions. Sometimes radically beautiful visions. Sometimes a certainty of dying or being dead. Sometimes a profoud, All-One, mystical feelings (even for a hard-core atheist).
DMT is super strong medicine. Potential hazards for psychological health depend on you. It's just my middle-aged prejudice, but I believe that 25-year old (and older) brains are appropriate starting points for self-experimentation.
If you have psychological issues, DMT can definately bring them to the fore. I have psychological issues and DMT has brought them to the fore - in particular my issues surrounding death and the reality of the death of most of my loved ones. I used to take antidepressants and other big pharma drugs, but I no longer feel the need. Even though some DMT experiences have given me some anxieties and intense dreams, I feel it has helped with my long standing issues of sadness stemming from death and my (prior to my first mystical experience on DMT) atheism. But, I honestly believe, as with other psychedelics, it cannot induce long term psychological ill health in anyone who isn't already living in that space anyway. Believe me, I have been putting this to the test lately. Pushing REALLY hard and though I have had a tough week, everything has settled back down into normality again, as it always tends to do for those who are generally long-term stable . . .
Hope this rambing mess helps somewhat. Really looking forward to reading about your journey(s).
Peace & Love,
Pandora
