Why People Smoke Toad Venom: Understanding 5-MeO-DMT & Its Effects

May 3, 2022

People are smoking toad venom, specifically 5-methoxy-N, N-Diemethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) derived from the Sonoran Desert Toad, primarily because new research suggests it might be a useful future medication for various psychological concerns. This substance is being re-examined as part of a broader trend in psychiatric and psychotherapeutic communities seeking more effective treatments for trauma, addiction, major depressive disorder, and anxiety. The appeal lies in its ability to induce transformative psychedelic experiences, characterized by ego-dissolution and a deepened spiritual connectedness, which appears to bring healing by combating isolation and nihilism. Furthermore, 5-MeO-DMT experiences are notably shorter (3-5 hours) compared to other psychedelics like psilocybin (6-12 hours) or MDMA (6-8 hours), making it potentially more practical for medical or therapeutic settings. Research indicates it produces spiritual experiences as intense as psilocybin in a shorter timeframe and has shown encouraging results in stimulating neurogenesis in laboratory experiments, which may aid in treating depression and PTSD. However, it is a powerful substance with risks, and its use should be approached with caution, especially for individuals with certain health conditions or personality disorders, and there are environmental concerns regarding toad harvesting.