The hypothesis that DMT is signifcantly released at death has been pesented in some media, but it is unsubstantiated by peer-reviewed research. That the release of DMT at death may provide insight into life-after-death arises from its role in generating profound altered states of consciousness that resemble reported near-death experiences.
DMT remains classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act due to its perceived high potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use, but this classification has faced criticism as scientific evidence on medical benefits accumulates. There is some hope that a more reasonable tolerance for research is on the horizon (see below).
For reference, C₁₀H₂₅N₃O. is the chemical symbol for LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) - a highly intense psychedelic - does not occur naturally in the human body. (Conpare its formula to the formula to DMT aobve.) LSD is a semi-synthetic substance derived from lysergic acid, which is a natural compound found in a fungus called ergot that grows on grains.
Similar Chemistry. Both LSD and DMT include a six-membered benzene ring and a five-membered nitrogen-containing pyrrole ring fused together as the indole ring system, but LSD has additional rings and complexity beyond this core structure. Both molecules share the indole ring as a common feature in their bioactive structures.
LSD one of the most potent psychedelics having a long duration of 6 to 12 hours with intense visuals and ego dissolution.
DMT has a relatively high intensity, but the profound mystical effects are of of a short duration - 5 to 20 minutes.
DEA’s increased DMT quota signals positive advancement in psychedelic research
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In January 2025, The Drug Enforcement Administration raised the 2025 legal production quota for the psychedelic Dimethyltryptamine from 11,000 grams to 20,000 grams, indicating it agrees with requests for the adjustment to “support legitimate research and scientific efforts” to develop a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug based on Dimethyltryptamine.(Source “The Reason Foundation")
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) acknowledgment that more Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is needed for research is a good sign for the development of psychedelic therapies. Early clinical evidence suggests DMT psychedelic-assisted therapies could potentially treat mental health disorders, such as major depression and brain injuries resulting from strokes.
