5-MeO-DMT Produces Improvements After a Single Inhalation - What We Learned
Recent scientific studies suggest that a single inhalation of 5-MeO-DMT is enough to spark greater mental clarity, life satisfaction, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Now, before you get too excited. Don't think that 5-MeO-DMT is going to produce miracle results after a single dose.The people who participate in these studies usually have done some level of integration work after their dose of 5-MeO-DMT. That means they spend time reflecting on their experience with the medicine and how to apply the lessons they learned to their daily life.So what does that mean for you?You probably need to improve your understanding of 5-MeO-DMT to see how it can work. This article will deliver exactly that, by walking you through the scientific basis for why 5-MeO-DMT is so effective and demonstrating the appropriate ways to work with 5-MeO-DMT. We have intimate experience with the medicine since we at Tandava Retreats have worked with 5-MeO-DMT for several years.
What Is 5-MeO-DMT?
Before we get into the details, here's a little recap of what 5-MeO-DMT is and isn't.5-MeO-DMT is a type of psychedelic medicine that can come from plants, toads, and synthetic sources. The experience that this medicine tends to create in those who work with the medicine is often described as "non-dual", which means that it triggers an individual to change their perception of self while under the influence of the medicine. This is sometimes described as an "ego death" or a "merging with God and the universe". Of course, everyone will have their own interpretation of the trip, but this is the overarching theme of the medicine and one of the main reasons why it is so sought-after.By now, it's clear that 5-MeO-DMT is extremely potent. As such, one should exercise caution when taking this medicine. We recommend that you work with it alongside a professional guide, one who has collaborated with numerous psychedelic trippers in the past, and will thus guide you on your journey appropriately.To be clear, the medicine doesn't suit everyone. Some might have pre-existing conditions that make it challenging for them to work with the medicine. Moreover, even if you aren't medically at risk of complications, you still need to be a willing and eager participant.From our vantage point, 5-MeO-DMT tends to rip past people's internal beliefs; about themselves, and others. The type of honesty you could get from the medicine is almost unbounded. You have to really want this type of lesson to go out and seek it.
Scientific Proof From Malin Uthaug's Study.
Malin Uthaug, struck by the rather unknown nature of 5-MeO-DMT compared to more common psychedelics like Ayahuasca and Psilocybin, strived to investigate 5-MeO-DMT further in his study. As a Ph.D. candidate at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, she aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of 5-MeO-DMT.Thus, Uthaug gathered 42 healthy volunteers for the study, all of whom were to smoke 5-MeO-DMT to test its effects. Prior to their session with 5-MeO-DMT, each participant completed a psychological test. After the 5-MeO-DMT session, each participant completed 2 tests, one 24 hours following their trip and one assessment 4 weeks later. Following a naturalistic experiment design, Uthaug hoped to gain authentic insights into the effects of 5-MeO-DMT.Across both follow-up sessions, the study found that participants reported sustained improvements in satisfaction with life, mindfulness, and a reduction in psychopathological symptoms. That means these positive effects were observed both on the day after the session and four weeks later. All in all, approximately 80% of respondents reported improvements in anxiety and depression after using 5-MeO-DMT. Of course, we are well aware that 42 participants are a rather small sample, but these figures are in line with other studies such as the Johns Hopkins one we'll cover later.One more important thing that this study identified, was that it didn't matter whether one used toad venom or synthetic sources to obtain 5-MeO-DMT. The impacts across both groups, again, under a small sample size, showed the same subjective effects.
The Findings Of Other Studies And Their Impact On Mental Health
Uthaug's study wasn't the only one to delve into the impacts of 5-MeO-DMT. In fact, there have been several other studies over the last few years that have begun to shore up the gap caused by intense regulation of 5-MeO-DMT and other psychedelics.It appears that 5-MeO-DMT has also been observed as a contributing factor in easing symptoms of the following:
- Severe major depressive disorder
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
5-MeO-DMT And Major Depressive Disorder
Let's take a deeper look at one particular study by Alan Davis and associates in 2019. These Johns Hopkins researchers were intent on investigating the self-reported effects of 5-MeO-DMT use. In their study, they limited their analysis to synthetic 5-MeO-DMT and its effects on depression and anxiety symptoms.Unlike the Uthaug study, this one focused solely on individuals who worked with 5-MeO-DMT in a ceremonial group setting.
Depression Symptoms
Thus, the researchers gathered the anecdotal reports of around 360 different individuals who worked with 5-MeO-DMT. Just like in the last study, about 80% saw an improvement in symptoms following their ceremony. Of course, the survey was much more anecdotal in this case, because the researchers had no means of measuring the exact dose that each participant received.Some common depression symptoms that 5-MeO-DMT was reported to have helped impacted based on the findings were:
- Persistent sadness or low mood: Many participants felt down or empty most of the day, nearly every day.
- Loss of interest or pleasure: They gained less pleasure from once enjoyable activities.
- Fatigue or loss of energy: They constantly felt tired, even after a restful sleep.
- Recurrent suicidal ideation: In some cases, participants once experienced persistent thoughts of death, dying, or suicide.
What We Learned From The Study
Following their ceremony, 80% of participants reported that one or more of those negative symptoms were eased. Generally speaking, the participants found that the medicine was particularly mood-enhancing, and for an extended period of several months, they felt as though they had gained more satisfaction from life and increased their feelings of well-being.Davis and his colleagues noted that 5-MeO-DMT doesn't last 7-8 hours but rather only 30 minutes. This makes it a lot more optimal for usage in a therapeutic setting. It would be much easier to treat a large number of patients with 5-MeO-DMT than it would be with any other psychedelics.They also noted that the actual 5-MeO-DMT trip and the mystical experience associated with it was a lot higher rated by participants than that of psychedelic drugs like Psilocybin.
The Research
Naturally, the researchers acknowledge that the sample size of 362 was quite small, and more research is needed to fully assess the long-term outcomes of medicines like 5-MeO-DMT.Given that 5-MeO-DMT is still a Class A regulated substance in the United States, it is difficult for schools like Johns Hopkins to conduct studies using 5-MeO-DMT in their own controlled clinical setting as the Uthaug study did. However, new avenues might be opening up very soon for researchers since the US administration appears to be preparing to legalize certain psychedelics in the next couple of years.
The Spiritual Component To 5-MeO-DMT
Most of these studies considered anecdotal evidence. However, they did not focus much on the qualitative descriptions that various individuals have of their 5-MeO-DMT experience. In fact, most individuals who experience these improvements in depression symptoms will also discuss the spiritual significance of their trip.Much of modern Western medical thought will ignore the spiritual side of mental illnesses like Depression or Anxiety Disorder. Just as Depression frequently manifests itself in the form of a very dark mood like a cloud hanging over your head, the positive effects of the 5-MeO-DMT psychedelic trip are hard to put into words as well.
Intense Acute Mystical Effects
When one embarks on the 5-MeO-DMT journey, one is often required to suspend the rational beliefs that want them to control the experience. In fact, this is a key feature of the 5-MeO-DMT trip that we'll discuss in more detail later.The issue is, 5-MeO-DMT is somewhat beyond the comprehension of the rational mind. And yet, it still shows you something, with a series of sensations and emotions, that seems to be exactly the thing that you need to see (or feel) at that moment.Those feelings and sensations will echo throughout the rest of your life, so long as you do a good job of preserving them. You might decide to change your beliefs about yourself or about the world after your experience and make changes for the better.As far as its relation to improvements in Depression and other afflictions, we would say that 5-MeO-DMT permits you to change your beliefs. You can't just heal from the trauma associated with Depression in an instant, but you can certainly start with a new approach. 5-MeO-DMT could put you in the mental state to begin making serious changes to your life.
The Best Way To Work With 5-MeO-DMT
5-MeO-DMT requires a delicate touch. Psychedelics typically are not as dangerous as some people want to frame them as, however, that doesn't mean you should take each experience lightly. You can't casually decide to smoke 5-MeO-DMT with your friend and expect a good outcome.Rather, you should prepare yourself for your 5-MeO-DMT trip and give the medicine it's due. More than likely, you'll need to be accompanied by professionals who have experience working with people in a similar position to you and have the time to devote to walking you through every step of your journey.
Work With An Experienced Professional
You should work with experts who place an emphasis on safety and integration. That will give you the best chance to make a transformation with 5-MeO-DMT. Most professionals will work in the context of a retreat center. So when you're picking which retreat center to work with, you should ask about the facilitators' experience and the type of integration they practice.
Prepare Ahead Of Time
Any retreat guide will tell you that preparation is essential to making the most of your 5-MeO-DMT trip. First off, 5-MeO-DMT isn't suitable for everyone. A retreat guide will need to evaluate your ability to adapt to the medicine before you can continue.Moreover, preparation will help you get ready to derive personal meaning from the 5-MeO-DMT trip afterward. The retreat guides will learn your individual values and mould a 5-MeO-DMT trip to those for you. Everything will be analyzed with this in mind.
Engage In Integration Work
At the end of the day, nothing you do after your 5-MeO-DMT trip will matter if you don't work hard to integrate the experience. That means to see the improvements often associated with 5-MeO-DMT, you will need to spend time reflecting on your journey afterward. A facilitator can help a lot in this regard since they know you and your personal situation better than most. Plus, they can play the role of a therapist in some sense.
What Happens When You Go To A Tandava Retreat
We mentioned earlier that we host 5-MeO-DMT retreats at Tandava. Let's give you a peek into how we help our clients improve their mental health with our own unique approach to 5-MeO-DMT.
An Approach Informed By Education
We emphasize safety and a nurturing environment above all. Each of our guides is first-aid trained and we have contact with local doctors in case of an extremely rare emergency. That, plus our warm approach to getting to know new attendees helps us make you feel as comfortable as possible throughout your trip.By drawing from Eastern wisdom and Western integrative practices, we create a container that facilitates deep healing and transformation. Our team's expertise and commitment to participants' well-being ensure that you have the necessary support system in place to navigate the profound effects of 5-MeO-DMT and integrate the experience into your life effectively.
A Knowledgeable Team
Having a team behind you is critical if you're going to attend a 5-MeO-DMT retreat.Depending on the type of journey you decide to take, we can tailor a system that fits you and your values perfectly. For instance, if you want to work with a shaman to get that sort of approach to inform your experience, you can. If you want to work with someone who has experience with psychology, we have a facilitator available too. That's what we mean when we say we incorporate Eastern and Western philosophies. We've created a space where you can explore both.We'll help you sort out these aspects of your retreat during our initial calls. That's where we'll prepare your retreat container, which is the filter you use to interpret your 5-MeO-DMT experience and integrate it afterwards, allowing you to apply your experience to your real-life values.
Getting To The Retreat Center
Our flagship retreat center is situated in Tepoztlan, Mexico, roughly 90 minutes south of Mexico City airport. During your scenic drive to our center, you'll notice that the mountains that surround our center are green and lush, providing a nice moderate climate for you to enjoy your retreat in.Once you arrive at our retreat center, we will give you the first day to relax and acclimatize to your surroundings. It's best to perform the 5-MeO-DMT ceremony when you're well-rested instead of tired from a long drive and flight.As for our property, we set it up to be as comfortable and stress-relieving as possible. Our retreat center's features include a pool, jacuzzi, and a sauna. When you're not busy reflecting on your experience, you can spend time soaking in the sun or relaxing in one of these facilities.Each meal is prepared for you by our dedicated chef. We prioritize healthy vegetarian ingredients to help prepare your body for the medicine. You must have the appropriate diet to facilitate your uptake of 5-MeO-DMT.
The 5-MeO-DMT Experience
As we mentioned earlier, an actual 5-MeO-DMT ceremony is quite brief in human terms. For those measuring the experience in minutes, it lasts around 10 to 45.However, you won't have any normal perception of time when you're under the sway of 5-MeO-DMT. To most people, it appears that the experience lasts for ages. Hardly surprising when you consider just how moving the experience can be.Here is what the experience typically looks like from the perspective of a participant.After you inhale the 5-MeO-DMT smoke, which will be from a synthetic source in our case, you could be transported to a new realm, where you'll be surrounded by geometric patterns and fractals. Eventually, a bright white light will emerge, beckoning you to surrender to it. Despite the temptation, you will try as hard as possible to resist surrender.As for your body, you will likely be sweating and manifesting other signs of anxiousness. It will seem as though you are completely out of your body. Eventually, you'll be left with no choice but to surrender to the medicine. You will enter the light and at this point, you might experience something that resembles a merging with the infinite, or with God as some people might describe it.After this point, you'll likely be exposed to a range of emotions and physical sensations. You will carry these with you after the retreat, and they will likely lead you to some sort of realization about yourself that you were otherwise unable to perceive. This is a lot more intellectual in contrast to other experiences like Ayahuasca or Psilocybin which tend to be more physical in nature.When you feel all these feelings of resistance towards the medicine, you'll realize that they are not at all a part of you. Rather, they are defense mechanisms for your ego to protect itself from having its vulnerabilities exposed.Following the point at which you submit to the medicine. The experience is cathartic. The revelations could stack on top of one another as you begin to gain clarity on some past issues that hampered you. You might feel as though you are accessing high-vibration energy rather than a lower one. As you return to a regular state of consciousness, you likely won't want to go back. But when you wake up, you might feel a greater degree of purpose than you ever did previously.
After-Retreat Integration
Of course, we have emphasized that integration is an essential part of your 5-MeO-DMT experience. Here's how it usually works with us.Following your retreat, we won't abandon you. We think it's essential that you integrate the experience fully. Thus, we recommend you refrain from working with any other substances, plant medicines or otherwise, for about 2 weeks following your retreat session.
From us, you'll receive 4 Zoom integration sessions to help you stay on track toward your goals with the medicine. So long as you make a conscious effort to follow the lessons that the medicine showed you, you should be on track for your personal transformation.
Learn More With Tandava
5-MeO-DMT can produce improvements in mental health and life satisfaction in some individuals, but it's not a one-size-fits-all type of deal.If you're not ready to embark on this journey yet, we understand.The decision to work with 5-MeO-DMT is something that takes time to process, just like the medicine itself. If you find that some of the revelations mentioned here are appealing to you, and you're willing to put in the work, then keep reading our blog to get a better sense of what this medicine could offer to you.