If the title made you chuckle at the quotation marks around “ordinary” DMT, we totally get it. After all, there’s nothing “ordinary” about DMT, one of the most extreme and extraordinary hallucinogens in the world. Yet there is a variant of this “Spirit Molecule,” one that many consider even more intense and special. We’re talking about 5-MeO-DMT, a substance obtained by milking the olive-green toad known as the Colorado River Toad.
“Although the effects of DMT are extreme in terms of visual changes, users of 5-MeO-DMT often report feelings of ‘transcendence.’ Others compare it to a near-death experience.”
If you visit Dutch-Smart regularly, there’s no doubt you’ve already come across quite a few psychedelic terms you’ve probably never heard of, or whose meaning you simply don’t know. Two of the most notable terms we encounter in our shop are DMT and 5-MeO-DMT. The fact that both contain (or consist of) the “DMT” part makes it quite confusing for many people. Are these the same substances? If not, what’s the difference?
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Are DMT and 5-MeO-DMT the same?
We can answer that right away: no, DMT and 5-MeO-DMT are certainly not the same substances, but the two do share quite a few similarities. For example, both psychedelic substances have been used for thousands of years in traditional South American shamanic practices, though usually in different regions and for different purposes. Nowadays, 5-MeO-DMT is sometimes abbreviated to “DMT,” but that can be quite dangerous, as some users report powerful effects from just 5 mg of vaporized 5-MeO-DMT, while four to six times that amount is needed for strong effects with DMT. So it’s important to know that these are really two completely different substances.
Initially, it was assumed that DMT—in the form of an Ayahuasca session —had the most therapeutic effect. However, new insights have also revealed the potential “healing” effects of 5-MeO-DMT. If you’re looking for a long-lasting trip full of visual effects that exposes your entire personality, then DMT might be what you’re looking for. Do you want to become one with the universe and be transported to another dimension for a shorter time? Then 5-MeO-DMT might be the better option. Let’s take a look at both compounds!
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What is DMT?
DMT is the name for the chemical N,N-dimethyltryptamine. It is a substance found in both plants and animals and is regularly consumed as a psychedelic drug. DMT can be inhaled, injected, vaporized, or ingested, and the effects depend on the dose. DMT has a long history of shamanic use in traditional ayahuasca brews, which is perhaps why you found this article and why you’re looking for information about these substances.
In the case of ayahuasca, a DMT-containing plant or bark (such as Chaliponga or Mimosa Hostilis) is combined with the vine Banisteriopsis Caapi, a so-called MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor). This latter ingredient prevents the DMT from being broken down in the body and also prolongs the psychedelic effects. It is often claimed that DMT in this form of use can be used for healing purposes. For example, some studies suggest that DMT could be effective in treating various physical ailments, but more research is needed to confirm these effects.
The effects of DMT include intense visual hallucinations, such as colored patterns and distortions. At the same time, it feels as though thoughts and consciousness are transported to another—sometimes subjectively otherworldly—dimension.
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What is 5-MeO-DMT?
5-MeO-DMT is one of the most potent psychedelics in the world. It is found in the secretions of the so-called Colorado River Toad (also known as Bufo Alvarius). It is the only known animal source of 5-MeO-DMT, but the substance is also found in smaller quantities in some plants and seeds—such as the Anadenanthera peregrina seeds (Yopo). Especially in the United States, the home of this unique toad, 5-MeO-DMT is primarily extracted from this secretion.
5-MeO-DMT is a chemical compound (5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) related to “normal” DMT. This related compound is active at much lower doses and has extremely potent effects. At the molecular level, DMT and 5-MeO-DMT look almost identical: the latter contains only a few extra atoms. A small difference in structure, but certainly significant enough to produce entirely different effects. Like DMT, 5-MeO-DMT is also found in many plants and animals, including the secretions of a certain North American toad.
Although the effects of DMT are extreme in terms of visual changes, users of 5-MeO-DMT more often report a complete shift in perspective. Others compare it to a near-death experience. 5-MeO-DMT is generally considered to be about five times stronger than “normal” DMT. Shamanic use of 5-MeO-DMT is known, among other forms, as Yopo snuff. These seeds are ground into powder and then blown into the nose for an intense trip that can last up to 30 minutes. However, it appears that the amounts of 5-MeO-DMT in Yopo are not always consistent, which is why many people still turn to the “toad.”
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The God Molecule
As you’ve read above, although the two substances are related, their effects differ significantly. 5-MeO-DMT is often considered stronger than DMT, and users frequently report that it results in a powerful transcendent experience without visuals—rather than the highly visual experience for which DMT is known. For these unique reasons, 5-MeO-DMT is also known as “The God Molecule”: it can give someone the feeling that they are speaking to, connected with, or becoming one with the divine. DMT, in turn, is called “The Spirit Molecule.”
And if you thought you had to be religious to experience this, you’re wrong. Even non-religious and non-spiritual people can experience this “divine” experience with 5-MeO-DMT. The reference to God does not necessarily mean it involves a religious God: the interpretation is unique and different for each person. This is precisely what many studies on these psychedelics show: these unique substances can inspire intense mystical experiences, comparable to spontaneous religious and spiritual revelations. Just like religious or spiritual revelations, these chemically induced experiences can be life-changing.
