A Question about DMT

A fellow psychonaut told me they had tried DMT several times, but had it recently and said she was told by her sitters that she started speaking in a strange language, dancing wildly and having convulsions. Knowing that I have an interest in these things and experience with traditional plant medicines and ethnopharmacology, she asked me if I could tell her some thing about what probably happened with her. Given that the substance in question is controlled in many countries, including the U.S., I share this information with the hope of promoting responsibility and safety. Although this chemical is ingested in several different ways by many aboriginal tribes of people across the globe as a sacrament and medicine (it is legal and even protected as a religious rite in Peru, Brazil, Colombia, most of Europe and many of these peoples' countries), I do not condone any illegal activity. Either way, be properly informed and safe. :)

My Response:

Hi,
It is a good thing you had sitters, as it is exactly the kind of experience that people have sitters for - if you were not conscious of your physical body or environment you could have gotten hurt. Let us be grateful for the way things are.

            
DMT is produced in the pineal gland in high quantities at birth, while dreaming, and at death. One can also stimulate the gland by traditional techniques like extended periods of fasting, meditation, yoga, mantra recitation, and trance induction through prolonged drummng and dancing. Some Native American tribes self mutilate in ceremonies to induce visions and communicate with their ancestors and the Great Spirit. Several African tribes that I'm aware of will drum and dance around a fire for more than 42 hours without food or water, inducing trance possession by spirits, gods and ancestors. some will fall unconscious and say they are taken into the sky by strings of light where upon they speak to their Big brothers in the sky. Some Native Americans call their ancestors Star or Sky people.
Interestingly enough, a very common theme and motif of DMT experiences (and deeply psychedelic experiences in general, particularly those induced by Tryptamines, like DMT)  is contact with aliens or super intelligent often 'spiritual' beings, either in the sky or underground in a very large dome of some sorts. *

Trance possession is most often the goal of tribal ceremonies and celebrations. Indigenous tribes of the Amazon use DMT in snuffs (as well as brews) which induce such possessions and glossolalia. thats the term for the trance induced language stream. glossolalia is also used to describe speaking in tongues exhibited by experientalist christians that accompanies their spasms and fainting. I think the tribal experience something way more authentic, but still, the natural human urge and tendency for altered consciousness is acted upon.

You should, though, practice caution. Especially if theres any history of mental illness in your family. These are extraordinaryily powerful compounds that change our brain chemistry and perception profoundly, however temporary. In a tribal setting it's not uncommon for the shaman's apprentice to be shot into a psychedelic state for up to weeks at a time, through such compounds or naturally, a state which in this society would be considered schizophrenia. this isnt to frighten you, though. thousands of people are taking psychedelics at this moment. dont be scared, but be safe.

I have myself experienced the effects of the ecstatic state created by entheogens, but under the guidance of different plant medicines. I wound also suggest you at least begin (if you do not already) a meditation practice of some kind to allow for better focus and attention during the experience which will help you remember the experience when you return to ordinary consciousness. :)

* For further and in depth information, Consult 
Super Natural by Graham Hancock
DMT - The Spirit Molecule by Rick Strassman MD