Phenomenology and content of the inhaled N, N-dimethyltryptamine (N, N-DMT) experience.
Understanding the phenomenology and content of the inhaled N, N, dimethyltryptamine (N, N-DMT) experience is critical to facilitate and support ongoing research and therapeutic models targeting mental health conditions and central nervous system pathology. A qualitative analysis was conducted of all N, N-DMT experiences posted to the rDMT Reddit community over a 10-year period from 2009 to 2018. A total of 3778 experiences from 3305 posts were included in this study. A median dose of N, N-DMT of 40.0 mg interquartile range (IQR), 27.5 to 50.0 and a median experience duration of 10 min (IQR, 5.0 to 15.0) were identified. The most common somatic effects were somaesthesias (n 1415, 37.5%) and an auditory ringing (n 583, 15.4%). Visualizations predominantly consisted of fractals, shapes, patterns (n 1231, 32.6%) and vivid colours (n 953, 25.2%). Entity encounters were reported in 45.5% (n 1719) of the experiences and involved predominantly a feminine phenotype (n 416, 24.2%) deities (n 293, 17.0%) aliens (n 281, 16.3%) creature-based entities (n 158, 9.2%, including reptilian and insectoid beings) mythological beings (n 144, 8.4%, including machine elves) and jesters (n 112, 6.5%). Entity interactions were predominantly positive (n 600, 34.9% of encounters) involving benevolent, comforting, protecting, or outwardly caring interactions. A companion-type, pedagogical, or guide-type interaction was identified 32.4% of encounters (n 557). Common typology, architecture, and structural features of the DMT world included descriptions of alternate or higher dimensions (n 952, 25.2%) rooms n 582, 15.4%, including the waiting room (n 105, 2.8%), and a tunnel (n 390, 10.3%). Features of mystical and ego-dissolution experiences were common. Additional rewarding aspects were identified, including a sense of familiarity and the acceptanceremoval of the fear of death. Challenging and difficult responses were less frequent but also documented. Statements of profundity were identified in 232 experiences (6.1%), including pronouncing the experience or an aspect of the experience as the most beautiful or feeling the most beautiful of their life (n 47, 1.2%). This study identified common phenomenological themes and content of naturalistic inhaled N, N-DMT experiences. Major thematic domains included (1) physical and somatic experiences (2) visualizations and imagery (3) entity encounters including entity phenotype, descriptors, attributes, disposition, and characteristics of the interaction (4) typology, architectural features, structural characteristics, and scenery of the DMT world (5) alerations in consciousness (including mystical experiences, out-of-body experiences, and ego-dissolution) (6) emotional responses (including positive, rewarding, difficult, and challenging) and (7) statements of profundity.