Capturing Valuable Insights from 5-MeO-DMT Experiences

The Vision

I’m embarking on a creative writing journey that I believe will be valuable for everyone involved in the field of 5-MeO-DMT. Part research, part personal journey, I imagine a hybrid of Ralph Metzner’s The Toad and the Jaguar, James Oroc’s Tryptamine Palace, and Thomas Metzinger‘s The Elephant and the Blind.

Sound good so far?

Read on!

(5-7 minute read)

The Story

For nearly a decade, I have worked full-time with 5-MeO-DMT, facilitating ~1,400 experiences across diverse contexts (cross-cultural, group/individual, different ROA’s, etc.). Over time, my private practice evolved into a consistent and highly personalised session structure, balancing preparation, administration, and integration. Central to this approach is a strong therapeutic alliance, allowing me to capture the nuances of each individual’s journey in ways that institutional studies simply do not. Once I settled into this structure, I began systematically recording observations from every one-on-one session. Since 2020, this has resulted in over 500 documented sessions—a uniquely detailed and practice-based collection of “qualitative data”.

Unlike clinical trials, which often rely on templated dosing protocols and standardised questionnaires with little personal follow-up to learn from a very small “sample size”, my approach gathers very fine detail about what happens for participants before, during, and after a 5-MeO-DMT experience and that, over time.

Now, I’m diving into the next phase: analysing, synthesising, and creatively sharing these findings with the world.

Why This Matters

The insights gained from this work will serve practitioners, researchers, scientists, and others involved in the use and proliferation of 5-MeO-DMT. While the final form—perhaps a book, presentations, or another resource—remains to be seen, this auto-ethnographic study of my observations as a practitioner will provide practice-based knowledge currently missing from clinical trials, academic discourse and the discourse in the overall community of practice.

I want to ask—and answer—questions such as:

   •   How does the impact of 5-MeO-DMT differ between those who experience a full release and those who do not?

   •   What are the long-term impacts in the lives of those who engage with 5-MeO-DMT regularly over time versus those who have only one or two experiences?

   •   How do different routes of administration (inhalation, intranasal, injection) shape the experience and its therapeutic impact?

   •   What patterns emerge in the impact the experience(s) have in individuals’ lives, and how do different therapeutic methodologies influence outcomes?

   •   How are individual nervous systems taken into consideration when deciding on dosing?

   •   How have experiences--that take place in a psycholytic therapy context--differ from experiences had in other contexts?

… and many more.

Where Your Support Goes

   •   Data Analysis & Research – Reviewing and extracting insights from an extensive caseload, requiring systems and tools to organise the data efficiently.

   •   Content Development – Translating findings into meaningful contributions for the community, whether through published essays, presentations, or a book.

   •   Participant Surveys & Interviews – Developing a structured survey for former and current participants to further refine insights, with follow-up interviews where supportive. This is an excellent example.

   •   Collaborative Support – I can’t do this alone! I will need some support and that will have a cost.

Why I’m Asking for Your Support

My private practice supports me well, and I could fund this project myself. But as I shift away from a full client schedule to make this happen in earnest, I catch myself doing what I usually do: going it alone. Yet, I’m not alone. Creating this fundraiser is my way of leaning into the idea that there’s a web of support, encouragement, peer-ship, and shared investment in each other’s work. If you’re reading this, you might be part of that web—not so much a safety net, but rather an interconnected field of allies who care about 5-MeO-DMT and its place in the world.

Your support uplifts me and helps fuel this project. The result will deepen our collective understanding of the impact of these extraordinary experiences we revere so much.

I thank you in advance for your support.

There will be many stages that will roll out over the next months and I intend on updating my progress here.

with care.

chad

PS

If you haven’t already, check out my blog with essays on many topics related to advanced elements of 5-MeO-DMT facilitation.

PPS

Are you still reading this!? OMGoodness, thank you SO MUCH for your time. For those who donate more than $200, I will be sure to get you an advanced copy of the outcome of this passion project