Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a psychedelic compound of the tryptamine family. It is found in many plants and animals and can be synthesized from tryptophan. When ingested, DMT produces short-lived hallucinations similar to those induced by LSD or psilocybin mushrooms. DMT has been used in traditional medicine for centuries in South America. More recently, it has been studied as a potential treatment for mental health conditions such as depression and addiction. DMT is not currently approved for medical use in the United States or Canada, but research into its therapeutic potential is ongoing.