The effects of consuming 5-MeO-DMT, whether in its synthetic or natural form, can vary from person to person. To explain them better, we’ve separated them into two main categories — physical effects and psychological or entheogenic effects. The physical effects can be so diametrically opposed that it’s hard to say for sure what it depends on. However, the dosage, setting, and methodology used by the facilitator might play an important role. Regarding the psychological effects, 5-MeO-DMT can induce the most astonishing mystical experiences.

Physical Effects

Studies have shown that 5-MeO-DMT acts on the serotonin receptors of our brain. It can cause a dissociative effect along with alterations in the perceptions of time and space, and the senses of vision and hearing. The physical responses begin a few seconds after the ingestion and they can go from staying still with eyes closed during the whole session to moving frantically around the space while screaming, laughing, crying, or making incomprehensible sounds. In both cases, tachycardia and fast breathing are most likely to occur during the first stage of the effect, when you’re still in control of your body, and fear and/or euphoria take over. After some minutes the full effect kicks in. Dissociation comes and you may stop breathing, which is why it’s so important to have a facilitator with you at all times, making sure that your life is not at risk.

Although purging is most common when ingesting other psychedelics like ayahuasca, peyote, or huachuma, some people also feel the need to purge during a 5-MeO-DMT session. The most common ways are vomit or diarrhea, though, from a therapeutic/shamanic point of view, crying, laughing, or screaming is also ways in which the medicine is cleaning your body, mind, energy, and spirit. The most intense part of the experience can last from 10 to 30 minutes. Afterward, the dissociation feeling starts to vanish and little by little you begin to be aware of your own body and the surroundings. Even when the session is over, you may be still experiencing some mild effects, along with thirst and sometimes even hunger for something fresh.

Psychological or Entheogenic Effects

As with any other psychedelic experiences, facilitators usually recommend the participant to elaborate on a clear intention before the 5-MeO-DMT session. This factor is meant to guide and determine the journey, as you’re supposed to approach this medicine to gain clarity, answers, or relief. During the first few minutes after ingesting the substance, just before dissociation occurs, it is very common to have a feeling of dissolution with the environment. For many, that triggers the fear of dying and, consequently, the physical reactions of tachycardia and fast breathing. When the dose is high enough, that process can’t be stopped and you’ll eventually lose the connection with your body and surroundings. That’s when the experience becomes unique and timeless, and when your intention will guide you through the teachings that you’re asking for.

Most of the participants report having reached a peak of happiness, where they felt connected or part of the whole of existence, or where the physical realm is not even present and everything is energy, sounds, colors, and feelings. This is often referred to as “ego dissolution”, as you’re no longer a person who looks at the world from the outside and in relation to your wishes and needs, but you become part of existence itself, and no less nor more important than everything else. After that brief but extremely intense moment, the effects will slowly begin to diminish and the mystical experience will revolve around your specific intention. It’s then that you’ll have time for the realizations that, with proper integration, are said to have the power to change your life.

On the other hand, many others have reported having extremely unpleasant experiences, both physically and physiologically. Emotions of sadness, guilt, fear, and even terror can take over, as well as heavy purges. It’s hard to say for sure if that depends on the type of 5-MeO-DMT ingested (organic or synthetic), the facilitator, the intention, the environment, the energy around it, etc. Many will blame one of those, but there is no real way to demonstrate it and it is a risk that each participant must assume.

After Effects

After having an experience of bliss with 5-MeO-DMT, the feelings of gratitude, oneness, humility, joy, and inner peace can last for days or even weeks. It’s within that time period that a well-guided integration process must take place so that the experience can have life-changing results. A very rare and specific side effect of 5-MeO-DMT is known as “activations”. This hasn’t been reported with other psychedelics, and it consists of almost reliving the experience to the point that dissociation occurs and people can’t do anything about it. Facilitators have no clear explanation for it and recommend not to fight it. Instead, they say it’s essential to breathe deeply and constantly and allow the episode to pass. However, some report having more than one reactivation and experience a lot of fear and confusion, as there is no clear pattern of how or when they are activated.

All in all, 5-MeO-DMT is a very powerful psychedelic who has demonstrated its tremendous potential to heal the emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects of the participants. However, it is also a mysterious substance whose consumption carries undeniable risks that must be considered before taking it.