DET 105
Drawbacks.If persons want to stay in control of what happens to them,
they may become upset if they are unable to stop DET’s effects. One group
of volunteers found DET unpleasant, and some said the experience was so
negative that they would depart the research center if a repeat performance
was expected. These were unemployed laborers who had no particular interest
in the drug. Some users in another study compared the experience to delirium
caused by typhus or pneumonia. DET typically raises blood pressure, causes
dizziness and perspiration, and may cause tremors and burning sensations.
Rapid heartbeat has been reported. In addition to those symptoms, schizo-
phrenics have routinely experienced shakiness, nausea, and vomiting. Some
persons feel agitated and have a need to move around. The drug makes people
more open to suggestion and therefore more susceptible to exploitation. In a
research environment, normal subjects often become suspicious of persons
managing the experiment. Performance declines on tests of reaction time and
intelligence. A technically accomplished artist drew with less proficiency dur-
ing DET intoxication, but at the time she seemed unaware of decline in per-
formance. After the drug has worn off, users may feel a little depressed and
suffer from headache; they may be tired but have difficulty sleeping. These
problems clear up in a day’s time.
Abuse factors.Not enough scientific information to report about tolerance,
dependence, withdrawal, or addiction.
Drug interactions.Not enough scientific information to report.
Cancer.Not enough scientific information to report.
Pregnancy.Not enough scientific information to report.
Additional scientific information may be found in:
Bo ̈ szo ̈ rme ́nyi, Z. “Creative Urge as an After Effect of Model Psychoses.”Confina Psy-
chiatrica3 (1960): 177–26.
Bo ̈ szo ̈ rme ́nyi, Z., P. De ́r, and T. Nagy. “Observations on the Psychotogenic Effect of
N-N Diethyltryptamine, a New Tryptamine Derivative.”Journal of Mental Science
105 (1959): 171–81.
Sza ́ ra, S. “The Comparison of the Psychotic Effect of Tryptamine Derivatives with the
Effects of Mescaline and LSD-25 in Self-Experiments.” InPsychotropic Drugs, ed.
S. Garattini and V. Ghetti. New York: Elsevier, 1957. 460–67. Sza ́ ra refers to DET
as T-9.
Sza ́ ra, S., et al. “Psychological Effects and Metabolism of N,N-Diethyltryptamine in
Man.”Archives of General Psychiatry15 (1966): 320–29.