The Latest Research on Young Adult DMT Use

Psychedelic drugs like DMT have been around for a long time, but their popularity has increased in recent years. In fact, last year 10 percent of young adults tried a hallucinogenic drug like DMT—a record high among this age group.

Why are so many young adults using DMT and other psychedelics? Some, especially college students, are intrigued by research suggesting that these drugs may have therapeutic benefits. Others enjoy the hallucinogenic effects they produce. However, DMT and other psychedelics can also have powerful, transitory negative effects on brain chemistry and mental health. 

Clinically reviewed by Michael Roeske, PsyD, Senior Director of the Newport Healthcare Center for Research and Innovation

What You’ll Learn

• What is DMT?
• What are the effects of DMT?
• How does DMT impact young adult mental health?
• What are the warning signs of DMT addiction?

What Is the ‘DMT Drug’?

DMT, or dimethyltryptamine, is a hallucinogenic tryptamine drug. It’s naturally occurring in small amounts in certain plants and in the human body. In some cultures, DMT is ingested through ayahuasca brew, a traditional tea used in sacred indigenous ceremonies. In modern recreational use, synthetic DMT is often smoked or inhaled in its white crystalline powder form. 

Because of its intense hallucinogenic effects, DMT is classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a Schedule I illegal drug in the United States. This means it has no approved medical use and a high potential for recreational abuse.

How Many Young Adults Use DMT?

Research shows that 1 in 10 young adults reported using hallucinogens last year. That’s the highest level ever recorded, according to the most recent study by Monitoring the Future. In fact, national surveys show that young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 use psychedelic drugs more than any other age group.

The increased interest over the last several years may be related to the destigmatization of these drugs, due to media coverage and research related to their therapeutic potential. While some individuals claim to experience benefits, it is important to remember that when used without therapeutic guidance, hallucinogens can cause both short- and long-term psychological harm.

What Are DMT Effects?

A DMT trip is often described as a short but extraordinarily powerful psychedelic experience. Unlike other hallucinogenic drugs, the effects of DMT come on very rapidly, often within seconds if smoked. The trip can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. Despite the short time frame, the experience can feel like hours because of an altered sense of time and perception.

During a trip, a person on DMT can move through different stages and experiences. On a sensory level, colors may appear brighter, patterns may shift, and sounds may feel more intense. In addition, users may have vivid visual or auditory hallucinations. They might experience a sensation of leaving their body, or encounters with imagined beings or entities. 

The psychological impacts of DMT can range from ecstatic to terrifying. For some, DMT produces anxiety, paranoia, or overwhelm. A bad trip can include distressing hallucinations, fear of losing control, or detachment from reality that lingers after the drug wears off. Because the effects are so intense and unpredictable, DMT can be emotionally destabilizing, particularly for young adults who are still navigating their identity and mental health.

A List of Psychedelic Drugs

DMT belongs to a category of psychedelic drugs, sometimes called hallucinogenic drugs. These substances alter perception, mood, and consciousness, sometimes in ways that overlap. Psychedelics like psilocybin and ketamine are now being used by trained therapists to break through treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. But professionals warn that taking these drugs recreationally, in large doses, and without guidance can result in scary or harmful experiences.

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca combines plants that naturally contain DMT with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Traditionally, ayahuasca has been used for spiritual and healing ceremonies led by indigenous shamans. The physical side effects, including vomiting, diarrhea, and elevated blood pressure, can be severe.

Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms)

Psilocybin is another psychedelic that alters perception, time sense, and mood. Many users report feelings of joy, creativity, and connection to nature, but psilocybin can also cause confusion, anxiety, panic, or frightening hallucinations. Research has focused on its potential therapeutic benefits for depression and PTSD, but in recreational settings it remains unpredictable.

Ketamine

Ketamine is a drug that can create a deep sense of calm and connection, but can also create a sense of dissociation or detachment from reality, body, or environment. In controlled medical doses, ketamine has been studied and approved as a treatment for treatment-resistant depression. However, in high or repeated recreational doses, ketamine can cause problems like memory loss, bladder issues, and psychological dependence.

LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

Also known as acid, LSD is a synthetic psychedelic famous for producing long, immersive trips lasting up to 12 hours. Its effects include intense sensory changes, synesthesia, vivid hallucinations, and sometimes spiritual insights. However, it can also trigger paranoia, panic, or long-term psychological issues. Because of its duration and intensity, bad LSD trips can be particularly difficult to endure. 

MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)

Although technically classified as an empathogen rather than a traditional psychedelic, MDMA is often grouped into the category of club drugs. That means it’s typically used in party or social settings. It produces feelings of warmth, empathy, and euphoria but also depletes serotonin in the brain. This may cause long comedowns or depressive symptoms afterward. 

Each of these drugs impacts the brain in unique ways, and the effects can vary greatly from person to person. Even for the same individual, the experience may shift from one use to the next. 

How DMT Impacts Young Adult Mental Health

The intensity of DMT is what makes it so complex for developing minds. The rapid shift in perception can unsettle a young adult’s sense of self. For people struggling with mental illness, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, or PTSD, DMT can heighten symptoms rather than ease them. A dose can overwhelm the mind and body, leading to terrifying hallucinations, panic, or dangerous behavior, as well as lingering confusion, fear, or emotional instability. 

Also, DMT works on the neurotransmitter serotonin, which means it can interact dangerously with antidepressants or other medications. This raises the risk of serotonin syndrome, which can include high blood pressure, seizures, and life-threatening complications.

How Substance Use Can Turn Into a Disorder

While DMT is not physically addictive, with repeated use, individuals can develop a psychological dependence on the drug. Young adults might start turning to DMT or other hallucinogens as a primary way to cope with stress, anxiety, or unresolved trauma.

While frequent use is uncommon, reliance on DMT can begin to pull them away from their goals, their relationships, and their sense of stability. Signs of disordered use can include craving DMT, neglecting responsibilities, withdrawing from loved ones, and continuing to self-medicate despite negative consequences.

Red Flags of DMT Addiction

Red flags of substance use disorders can look like sudden changes in behavior, secrecy about social activities, or noticeable shifts in mood and motivation. Other signs of potential problematic use or addiction include:

• Using DMT more frequently or in higher doses to recreate the same effects
• Feeling preoccupied with the idea of the next trip or craving the experience
• Prioritizing DMT use over school, work, or relationships
• Withdrawing from friends or family who don’t share their interest in the drug
• Using DMT in unsafe settings or combining it with other drugs to intensify effects
• Experiencing lasting anxiety, confusion, flatness, or mood swings after the trip ends
• Continuing to use DMT despite negative effects on mental health or daily functioning

With early detection and comprehensive and compassionate treatment, young adults can address underlying mental health concerns and build healthier ways of coping.

Addiction Treatment at Newport Institute

If you or a young adult in your life is struggling with substance use, whether with DMT, other psychedelic drugs, or club drugs, professional support can make a life-changing difference.

At Newport Institute, we provide young adult addiction treatment tailored to the unique challenges of college students and emerging adults. Our approach is trauma-informed and person-centered. We meet each client with unconditional support, no matter where they are in their healing journey or what they’re experiencing, 

Our residential and outpatient treatment for substance use disorder includes:

• Individual and group therapy to address underlying mental health concerns
• Family therapy to strengthen relationships and communication
• Comprehensive experiential modalities that integrate the body and mind, including mindfulness, horticulture, art, music, and more
• Recovery skills and relapse prevention strategies with licensed substance use treatment professionals
• Career development and life skills support to help young adults rebuild balance and purpose

If you’re noticing signs of addiction in your young adult child, we’re here to support your family in safe, effective, and tailored treatment. Get in touch with us to schedule a no-cost mental health assessment and learn about your next steps.

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