To start with the basics, DMT is short for N,N-Dimethyltryptamine. DMT has been found in many plants and animals—from underwater coral-like organisms all the way to mammals. It appears that humans make it in our own bodies. DMT has a long history of shamanic use in traditional ayahuasca brews, which combine DMT-containing root bark with other plants that contain a type of chemical called an MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor, for the truly curious) — the MAOI makes DMT last much longer in our bodies, extending the psychedelic experience for hours.