Dimethyltryptamine, known as DMT, is a naturally occurring psychoactive compound found widely throughout the natural world, including in numerous plant species, animals, and even the human body. As a simple tryptamine alkaloid, its chemical structure is related to the neurotransmitter serotonin. It is known for producing intense, short-duration visionary experiences when consumed. DMT is synthesized across a vast number of flora, ranging from small grasses to large trees and vines, meaning it is a common metabolic byproduct in the plant kingdom, not the product of a single species.
Plant Species Containing DMT
DMT is found in a diverse collection of plant families used in traditional practices for centuries. One potent source is the root bark of Mimosa hostilis, sometimes called Jurema Preta, a small tree native to northeastern Brazil. The inner root bark contains a high concentration of the alkaloid, making it a common source for extraction.
The leaves of the shrub Psychotria viridis, or Chacruna, are primarily used in the preparation of the ceremonial brew Ayahuasca. Although its DMT concentration is lower than Mimosa hostilis, it is traditionally utilized for its reliable presence of the compound. Species within the Acacia genus, such as Acacia confusa and Acacia acuminata, also contain DMT in their bark, leaves, or pods.
Biosynthesis of DMT in Plants
Plants produce DMT through a metabolic process that begins with the common amino acid Tryptophan, the precursor for the compound. The first step involves an enzyme called aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), which removes a carboxyl group from Tryptophan to create the intermediate molecule Tryptamine.
The Tryptamine molecule then undergoes a series of two methylation steps, facilitated by the enzyme indolethylamine-N-methyltransferase (INMT). This enzyme transfers a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) onto the nitrogen atom of the Tryptamine. The first methylation forms N-methyltryptamine (NMT), and the second methylation on the same nitrogen atom completes the process, resulting in the final product, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT).
Traditional Use and Preparation
The most widely known traditional preparation involving DMT-containing plants is the Amazonian ceremonial brew, Ayahuasca, which requires a specific combination of ingredients. The brew is typically made by combining a DMT source, such as the leaves of Psychotria viridis or Diplopterys cabrerana, with the bark of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine. The boiling process extracts the alkaloids from both plants, creating the final decoction.
The Banisteriopsis caapi vine does not contain DMT but is rich in beta-carboline alkaloids, such as harmine and harmaline, which function as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). When DMT is consumed orally, it is rapidly broken down by the body’s monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzymes in the gut and liver. The MAOIs in the B. caapi temporarily inhibit these enzymes, allowing the DMT to pass into the bloodstream and central nervous system. Other traditions use DMT-containing plants, such as the seeds of Anadenanthera species, which are pulverized into a snuff called Yopo or Vilca and insufflated, bypassing the need for an MAOI.
Legal Status
In the United States, DMT is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, indicating a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use. This federal scheduling makes the possession and distribution of the compound illegal across all states. The legal status of the plants themselves is often more complex, as DMT-containing plants are generally not controlled under international law, leading to varied national policies.
The exception to this control involves the religious use of Ayahuasca by specific organizations granted exemptions under the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. These exemptions are limited to established churches, such as the União do Vegetal (UDV) and Santo Daime, allowing them to import and consume the brew for ritual purposes. Beyond these specific religious allowances, DMT and materials containing it are subject to criminal penalties, though some states are moving toward decriminalization of natural medicines.