Overview
Chris Cantelmo provides a detailed, step-by-step guide to extracting and purifying DMT from Mimosa hostilis root bark, emphasizing safety, simplicity, and environmental considerations. The process includes bark preparation, acid and base treatments, organic extraction, and safe handling/disposal practices.
Initial Preparation and Acid Extraction
- Use 100g of powdered Mimosa hostilis in a crock pot.
- Add enough water to fully wet the bark (about 2–3 cups for 100g).
- Optionally add ~1 cup distilled white vinegar to acidify and help break down cell walls.
- Stir thoroughly and heat on low for three hours, then optionally let sit overnight.
Base Addition and Solvent Extraction
- After acidification and heating, pour the mixture into a mason jar.
- Slowly add sodium hydroxide (approx. 80g per liter of solution) to raise pH above 12, stirring gradually to avoid overheating.
- Carefully handle the exothermic reaction; bases can cause burns similar to acids.
- Once pH is above 12, add naphtha solvent on top.
- Allow layers to separate; DMT migrates into the naphtha layer after several hours.
Separation and Purification
- Use a turkey baster to transfer only the naphtha (top) layer to a glass dish, avoiding the lower aqueous layer.
- Place the dish in the freezer overnight to precipitate DMT crystals.
- Pour off the naphtha, leaving crystals behind.
- Use paper towels to absorb residual naphtha from crystals; tilt the dish for drainage.
- Repeat extraction ("pulls") with fresh naphtha to maximize yield.
Alternative Technique: Freeze/Thaw Cell Disruption
- Skip the initial vinegar step to reduce chemical usage.
- Cover bark with water and freeze; then heat for eight hours in crock pot, cool, re-freeze, and blend to disrupt cell walls.
- Repeat heat/freeze cycles to optimize DMT release.
- Use less base for pH adjustment if vinegar is omitted, reducing environmental impact.
Safety and Environmental Considerations
- Handle naphtha and sodium hydroxide with extreme care; both are hazardous.
- Avoid open flames; naphtha is highly flammable.
- Neutralize waste base solution with vinegar before disposal.
- Preferably dispose of waste by drying and adding to compost or trash, minimizing environmental harm.
Key Takeaways and Best Practices
- Extraction and purification are straightforward but require attention to safety.
- Measurements do not need to be extremely precise except for reaching pH >12.
- Freeze/thaw cycles improve yield and reduce chemical usage.
- Always neutralize and responsibly dispose of chemical waste.
Recommendations / Advice
- Always wear gloves and eye protection when handling caustic or flammable substances.
- Perform solvent handling in well-ventilated areas, preferably outdoors or in a garage.
- Avoid performing extractions near children or in inappropriate indoor spaces.
- Use minimal chemicals to reduce cost and environmental footprint.