At this point, we already know that DMT can be found in a variety of plants, animals, and even the human body. The “god molecule” is a hallucinogenic tryptamine that offers a short-lasting but often very intense and deeply visual high. But DMT and its cousin, 5-MeO-DMT (or bufotenin) aren’t the deepest you can go with it. Some lesser-known forms of DMT can be found in the strange lives and bodies of underwater animals and creatures. Don’t be shy– let’s dive deeper into the weird and mysterious world of 5-Bromo-DMT.
What is 5-Bromo-DMT?
5-Bromo-DMT is a naturally occurring psychedelic alkaloid found in a handful of sea sponges. As far as we know, it was first synthesized in 2013, when a researcher found DMT presence in some sea sponge samples he collected and decided to try it on himself, afterwards sending the trip report to psychedelic storyteller and experimenter Hamilton Morris, who covered it for Vice.
According to the researcher, “in 1997 Alexander Shulgin wrote of marine tryptamines, “5-Bromo-DMT and 5,6-dibromo-DMT are found in the sponges Smenospongia aurea and S. echina resp. I have no idea if they are active by smoking (the 5-Br-DMT just might be)…” and, almost 20 years later, we still don’t know much about it.
Despite the lack of information on sea DMT, though, there are still some factual tidbits out there. For one, it’s generally considered to be a very “mild” form of DMT. It’s only confirmed to be found in three types of sea sponges: Smenospongia aurea, Smenospongia echina, Verongula rigida, and, uh, nobody knows why they make it, or even if they make it at all, as sponges are pretty absorbent. It’s also been found in an algae called Bryopsis.
How is it used?
Like other forms of DMT, 5-Bromo-DMT can be smoked and snorted, although snorting DMT isn’t generally recommended– it can be very painful and you tend to need more substance to get the effects you’re looking for. Speaking of seeking more effects, someone on Reddit claims they’ve boofed the 5-Bromo-DMT to get more intensity, but unfortunately didn’t get what they were looking for.
5-Bromo-DMT can be smoked at 15 mg, although effects don’t appear to take place until closer to 40 or 50 mg. There have been reports of people taking it orally and feeling the effects at 100 mg. Other reports suggest smoking the freebase is the best way to start to feel the trip.
How does it feel?
Unlike its related forms, 5-Bromo-DMT is considered to be a very mild form of DMT, and trip reports on Reddit suggest that the hallucinogenic effects only start after consuming at least 45 mg through smoking or 100 mg orally. The trips, if they can be called that, usually seem to last around 10 to 15 minutes. Users report an extremely relaxed state, a bit of body buzz and skin tingling, little, if any visuals at lower levels of consumption, and a deeply sedative and peaceful experience.
“This is not a breakthrough intensity experience like plain DMT or 5-MeO-DMT,” says one user. To them, it’s more comparable to a low dose of mushrooms.
Of course, it’s entirely possible that people just haven’t ventured deep enough into the world of this marine psychedelic. Perhaps the true trip starts after smoking 100 mg or more, but no evidence has been found of anyone going this far. If you’ve done this, do the world of psychedelic explorers a favour and share what you’ve discovered – what underwater mysteries lie in the deep?
Since no studies of 5-Bromo-DMT exist, all the information that can be found has to be pieced together through stories, anecdotes, and generally unverified trip reports on Reddit or psychonaut forums. On top of that, buying, sourcing, or making 5-Bromo-DMT can be a challenge, making these reports few and far between.
Give me a chemical breakdown
5-Br-DMT is the 5-bromo derivative of DMT. Bromine is a chemical element, found at number 35 on the periodic table. It’s known to be smelly and somewhat pungent, and its properties lie between those of iodine and chlorine. “In chemistry, a derivative is a compound that is derived from a similar compound by a chemical reaction.”
Is it legal?
In Singapore, 5-Bromo-DMT is a controlled substance, and in the UK it is considered a Class A controlled substance. It’s not listed as a banned substance in Canada, Australia, and the US, or most other countries as it’s generally quite unknown. That said, the US has laws that ban related compounds and substances, which might make 5-Bromo-DMT illegal by default.
TL;DR
5-Bromo-DMT is a naturally occurring psychedelic alkaloid found in a handful of sea sponges. It’s a fairly obscure and somewhat unknown psychedelic, and most people haven’t heard of it, making trip reports rare and unverified. The most legitimate coverage appears to be from a report sent from a researcher to Hamilton Morris, who discovered DMT presence in some sea sponge samples, synthesized it, and tried it on himself. 5-Bromo-DMT can be smoked, snorted, or taken orally, and effects seem to be very mild, especially when compared to its better known and more intense cousins, 5-MeO-DMT and N,N-DMT. While 5-Bromo-DMT isn’t banned in most countries outright, DMT and its compounds are often illegal. 5-Bromo-DMT can be a challenge to procure, and though effects are reportedly chill and relaxing, the lack of information around this substance makes consuming it carry an inherent risk. If you’re on the hunt, take a visit to the Caribbean – that’s where the magic Smenospongia aurea sponge can be found.
