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Written Out Version of GordoTEK DMT extraction TEK (heptane variants included) & VIDEO
1st published on Sept 12, 2018
Special thanks to Dane for contributing the first draft of this write up. And shout out to Q21Q21 for inspiration, like most TEKs worth using, there is always a long lineage of contributions of knowledge from one generation to the next, I have added my own modifications learned from experience, and others will undoubtedly add theirs and further improve things over time.
Things that separate this TEK from others - no lab equipment is needed, NO harsh chemicals like sodium hydroxide (LYE) are used, there are no high temperature reactions, no chance for emulsions, no need to measure pH, only grocery store, food grade items are used for the acid and base. Work effort is minimal, yields and purity are high, and it’s easy to do. Before asking a question check the FAQ.
UPDATE: A new vendor reached out to me offering a sample of their bark. I personally evaluated their product and it was very good. They set up an affiliate link for me and created a coupon code "Gordo" that should give you a nice discount, see: https://mimosajungle.com/organic-dye-powdered-premium-quality/?ref=gordotek
These guys ship from within the US which is exactly what you want if you live in the US and they offer competitive pricing and they are one of the only vendors that currently takes credit cards (this means it is impossible for them to rip anyone off since you could reverse the charge if they did). The sample I evaluated was 1.44% alkaloid content but with a newer shipment people have reported over 3% which is about as good as you will ever find.
Members have been sending me very positive feedback about this vendor, top yields and extremely high purity, when you can get bark like this stock up:
GordoTEK DMT Extraction
A visual aid for this TEK is quite valuable to avoid mistakes and build confidence, here is a detailed step by step video of the extraction:
Backups of this vid exist in three places, see: DMT Extraction Vid on Odysee or on Google Drive: GordoTEK DMT Extraction Video (tap or click link) should work for both streaming and to download the video, also may support playback speed change as on YouTube (on some phones you may need to install the "Google Drive" app to play it). I could not put the full video on YouTube due to the censorship there (hopefully people will still be able to find it here, feel free to share the link to this post on other sites). Finally here is a low quality backup on vimeo as last resort only.
Below is a written reference guide for after you have thoroughly watched the video:
ALWAYS PUT SAFETY FIRST, read the DMT-Nexus Health & Safety Wiki & Stickies:
https://wiki.dmt-nexus.me/DMT-Nexus_Wiki:Health_and_Safety
https://www.dmt-nexus.me/forum/default.aspx?g=topics&f=25
If you intend to vape the DMT you will need some tool to do that, the most popular method these days seems to be the eMesh vaporizers but some people have also had success with less expensive vape pens like the Yocan Evolve Plus XL. You can also make simple glassware based vaporizors like the one I show here but that is sort of obsolete now. I think GeekVape is the top choice these days and they have some really affordable models with precise temp control, a patron recently recommended this one: https://store.geekvape.com/products/geekvape-h45-classic-aegis-hero-2-classic-pod-kit-1400mah-4ml Some people also use glass bangers but this is a little more dangerous if you are solo. Regardless of which option you choose, you want to put the tool down immediately after taking the breakthrough hit and surround yourself with some pillows or do it on a bed or recliner chair, always on an empty stomach (fasting) and propped up not laying flat (use pillows). Even though it's rare to lose consciousness on DMT, it can happen, also rare to vomit, but again it is possible.
This TEK is my attempt to share the techniques developed through years of underground research, with an emphasis on safety and best practices. Things that separate this TEK from others - no lab equipment is needed, NO harsh chemicals like sodium hydroxide (LYE) are used, there are no high temperature reactions, no chance for emulsions, no need to measure pH, only grocery store, food grade items are used for the acid and base. Work effort is minimal, yields and purity are high, and it’s easy to do (every step is shown in the video).
It costs you NOTHING to support this work, just click any link below to amazon and I’ll get a small “tip” if you buy anything.
Here is every item you will need for this project, if you use any of my Amazon links it supports the channel! (“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”)
Cheap round crock pot
Good value stand mixer
The actual brand mixer used in the video
Gem Scale (best value)
Kitchen Scale (great reviews, inexpensive)
Good value blender
My Blender
Stainless Steel Funnel
https://amzn.to/3DGO6HZ
Lens Paper
https://amzn.to/3DCbJRT
Nitrile Gloves
https://amzn.to/4h1MSFF
Razor Scrapers
Milligram Measuring Spoons (very helpful to have)
Microscope Slides (optional for solvent evap test)
[You can get solvent cheaper from a local hardware store, art supply store, or tractor supply, you only need one small can (400ml total)]
Bestine (Heptane)
VM&P Naphtha (customer reviews say it leaves no residue)
https://amzn.to/41WFZkw
[You could get the rest from Walmart or a grocery store]
Silicone Spatula
Stainless Steel Spoon (DollarTree has these)
Glass Pie Plates (you need two, this is a two pack, Walmart has these too)
Cling Wrap
Distilled White Vinegar
Pickling Lime (also search for calcium hydroxide, it can be found on Amazon International sites but should be sold locally for pickling)
Coffee Filters
https://amzn.to/4gYj4tw
Finally, the bark, do your own research here and buy from within your country (so it doesn't have to go through customs).
The bark vendors come and go but there has always been at least one available supplier continously for decades. Some sites I've heard of include MimosaJungle (use coupon code 'Gordo'), PrimeBark, ExoticEarthSeeds, Wakingherbs, MayanMagicSoaps and MimosaRoot. Except for MimosaJungle, none of these others are affiliates and I have no particular endorsement of any vendor except MimosaJungle because I know they ship within the US, take cards, and have very high quality bark and favorable feedback from patrons.
Some international ideas & reviews: https://www.mimosahostilisbark.com/category/reviews/
Additional notes: While you could let the excess solvent evaporate on its own at room temp, this can take hours and leaves your work subject to contamination from the air, plus you are more likely to accidentally let it completely evaporate which is something you are trying to avoid. Heating these solvents with a warm water bath is standard laboratory procedure (good ventilation is always required).
If you end up with yellow/brown/reddish colors in your final product, you’ve got plant oil issues. You can add solvent, stir, and then remove and discard the solvent BEFORE adding the lime, this is called “defatting” and it will remove oils without removing any DMT because at that stage the DMT is in its salt form and is not soluble in naphtha or heptane. You can also clean this up after the fact with a recrystalization as described in the video. A defatting step is often required with acacia root bark (ACRB) however some varieties of ACRB work just like mimosa and do not require a defat (Acacia Acuminata Typical).
Also Note: Heptane evaporates MUCH faster than naphtha, so you need to use more for your pulls (150 instead of 100g) reduce the stir time (5 mins instead of 10) and greatly reduce the reduction time, just keep an eye on it, its going to reduce fast. Use good ventilation. Heptane variants are described in the written version of the TEK.
THE TEK
[Keep all open flames or heating elements well away from your solvent at all times, use proper ventilation when working with solvents (fan to outside) or work outside or in an open garage]
[Note that in this TEK most liquids are weighed, hence grams and not milliliters due to the fact that many people will have a scale but not necessarily have proper volumetric lab glassware]
1) Put 100 grams Mimosa bark, powdered or shredded fine (blend with strong blender if need be) in a mixer with mixing paddle or wire wisk attachment.
2) Add 100g (or 100 ml) Distilled White Vinegar plus 1/2 cup (approx 120ml) of boiling hot water to the mixer. Use a silicon spatula (or metal spoon or fork) to scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically to make sure everything is well mixed and not sticking to the sides of the mixer bowl.
3) Use a timer and mix everything for 40 minutes on a slow setting. If mixing by hand, you do not need to mix continuously, but the total time should remain 40 minutes (with periodic hand mixing every 5-10 minutes).
[Note: At this point (before step 4), you can optionally add what is called a "defatting" step to help remove plant oils - this is recommended if you are using acacia root bark (ACRB) but generally unnecessary if you are using a quality mimosa root bark. To remove plant oils you would mix about 50g of solvent (naphtha would be better than heptane at this stage) with the acidified bark/water solution, then separate the layers by letting it sit until they naturally separate (using long/tall glassware - flask/beaker/graduated cylinder is ideal, but you can get by using a drinking glass). The solvent will move to the top layer and can be removed using a large pipette, some people use a turkey baster, syringe or siphon to remove the solvent. Another option is to filter it all, the solvent with plant oils should pass through the filter while the bark mass is left behind, or a separatory funnel could be used but the bark mass may clog it. The solvent will dissolve the plant oils but not the DMT at this stage, so you want to then remove and discard this solvent. You can repeat this procedure to be sure most of the plant oils are removed, if the solvent is still yellow, do another round.]
4) Now add 80g of Calcium Hydroxide (often sold as 'pickling lime' just verify CaOH is the only ingredient if you buy it this way) or Sodium Carbonate (sold as 'washing soda' but it is a weaker base and calcium hydroxide is preferred).
5) Continue mixing for 10 more minutes, scraping down sides of mixing bowl to insure all lime is mixed well.
6) Place the bark mix in one of your glass pie dishes and spread it out evenly, with a stainless steel or silicon instrument. Cover the bark with cling wrap, careful not to make contact between the cling wrap and the bark. Then let the bark sit for 1-36 hours, based on what's convenient for you.
7) Verify the purity of your solvent by placing one drop on a warm clear sheet of glass to make sure it leaves no residue on the glass after it fully evaporates. Any oily or gritty residue is a problem, such solvent should be avoided, but it is normal to see very minor "watermark" type patterns like you would see if you evaporated a drop of tap water (that solvent is fine to use).
8) When you are ready to do a pull, put 500ml (2 cups) of very hot water (you can microwave it for 3 minutes) in a crock pot with the crock pot setting on high (this should either be outdoors in a well-ventilated area or right under a kitchen vent on high fan that vents to the outside).
9) Put 100g of naphtha (150g of Heptane) in a mason jar with the lid on very loosely (do not tighten). [Note: Some prefer to use as much as 50% less solvent here and just eliminate or greatly shorten the reduction step later which may have some advantages including saving time and solvent, but this is more difficult for a beginner.]
10) Place the mason jar with the solvent into the crockpot. Then place the pie dish containing the mimosa bark on top of the crockpot so it serves as the lid and the bark mix can warm up. Leave both to warm for 10 minutes. You can also optionally microwave the bark mix first, for 2 minutes, to warm it up, this will likely improve results.
11) Remove the pie plate from the top of the crock pot, wipe the bottom dry with a towel, and set it down.
12) Add the pre-warmed solvent to the bark mix in the pie plate then place the pie plate back on the top of the crock pot to keep it warm during the pull.
13) Stir, slice through and move the bark around slowly with a stainless steel spoon so that the solvent has the chance to make contact with all areas of the bark. It is a good idea to use one hand to hold the edge of the pie plate while using the other hand to slowly stir the bark mix and solvent.
The solvent should remain clear. Stir for about 10 minutes if using naphtha, 5 minutes if using heptane (because it rapidly evaporates). Toward the end of this stir period, push the bark mix together and create an empty space in the pie plate for the solvent to flow to.
14) Put a coffee filter into a funnel, pick the bark mix pie plate up, dry the bottom of the plate with a towel, then slowly pour all of the solvent into the funnel, which is placed over the mason jar so that the now DMT rich solvent is back in the mason jar without any of the bark particles falling in with it.
15) Now place a clean/dry pie plate on top of your crock pot and pour the DMT rich solvent into it. Do not cover this pie plate, this should still be done outside or with kitchen vent on maximum. Watch this very carefully until it is reduced to 10-25 grams (1 to 2 tablespoons). With heptane this will generally only require a few minutes, with naphtha it may take about 30 minutes (if you used less solvent to begin with, the reduction will take less time). [Tip: If you pre-weigh your pie plate and wipe the bottom of the pie plate before weighing again on your kitchen scale you can easily determine when you've hit the target 10-25g range]. Optionally place cheese cloth over the pie plate or put some barrier around it to prevent dust from falling into your solvent.
16) Dry the bottom of the pie dish and cover it tightly with cling wrap, then put the pie dish, tilted at a slight angle, into the freezer set to the coldest setting.
17) Leave in freezer for at least 2-4 hours (it's OK to leave it overnight). It will initially turn cloudy, you will know it is ready when the solvent goes clear again after crystal formation. You should see white crystals at the bottom, try not to disturb the dish while they are forming.
18) It is highly recommended (but optional) that you rotate the pie plate after the crystals are done forming so that the DMT is out of the solvent, but leave it in the freezer, still tightly covered, for several more hours or overnight- this will pre-dry the DMT.
19) Take the pie dish out of the freezer, and pour all the solvent left in the pie dish into the mason jar, using the stainless steel funnel. Place a lid on this solvent jar and tighten. This solvent could be reused, but it likely contains plant oils and possibly other contaminants so it is preferable to discard it as it will not contain much if any DMT at this point.
20) The DMT crystals should all be in one small area of the pie dish because you put the pie dish in the freezer on an angle.
21) Let the pie dish dry for about two hours in an area where it will not be disturbed. If your room temp is high (above 80), it is better to let it dry in a refrigerator. Using a gentle fan pointed at the DMT is optional any may speed the drying.
22) Scrape the DMT off of the pie plate with a razor.
23) Scrape it onto your photo/lens paper.
24) Weigh the extracted DMT on a milligram scale to determine your yield (tare the scale with a sheet of lens paper on it first for an accurate measurement).
25) Repeat the "pulling process" of extracting DMT from the bark roughly 48 hours from start time, a week from start day, and two weeks from start day. To do this repeat these instructions from step 8. Always store the bark mix tightly covered, at room temperature, but a cool place like a basement is fine (do not refrigerate it). Don't be disappointed if your don't get very much on the first pull. Also you don't need to scrape that first pull dish, you can just reuse the same dish for subsequent pulls, then scrape only once at the very end. Its up to you though, can do it either way, same output regardless. Sometimes the 2nd or 3rd pulls are much better than the initial one. Also note that you can microwave the entire mud pie for 2 minutes right before doing a pull, this extra warmth improves results. If the mud pie ever dries out, you can add a little boiling hot water to it at any time to restore the thick mud consistency (it should look slightly wet and not absorb much solvent).
[NOTE: Pure DMT should be white (crystals can also be clear). With this TEK, yellow, brown, orange or reddish colors are signs of contamination, which is typically from plant oils or using the wrong solvent. These can be removed with recrystallization, or just accepted and used as is (some people seem to prefer contaminated DMT, possibly because it's not as strong). If you vape at a low temperature with the right kind of device, plant oils will generally be left behind and not inhaled. Otherwise, they can result in harsh vapor and lower potency by weight (because the oils are heavy) making dosing more difficult to determine.]
Watch additional GordoTEK videos to learn more about how to use the DMT:
GordoTEK: Low Dose Mystical Experiences with DMT
GordoTEK DMT Vaping Technique and DIY Vape Tool (Effective No Smoke Method)
GordoTEK Pharmahuasca & Pharmachanga (DMT with harmalas/MAOI/ß-carbolines)
Harmala's: I trust this seller, quality product at reasonable price: https://www.harmalas.com/products/harmine-harmaline-hydrochloride or combine equal parts (20-40mg each) harmine and THH and take sublingually.
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Special thanks to Broccoli Samurai and Bass Physics for granting permission to use their music in the video:
Art by:
MIT FREE online chemistry courses:
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/chemistry/
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Links to all of my TEKs, Videos, Trip music, and frequently asked questions with answers can be found here: https://gordotek.org/faq (everything is made available for FREE, I do not use pay walls, support the work only if you feel like you've benefited from it and you are able to do so). People have told me my work has helped them overcome depression, addictions, PTSD, relationship issues, direction in life, and to have important, meaningful, sometimes life changing mystical experiences. I feel honored and blessed to play a small role in this. That is my reward.
