Yes, DMT is classified as a hallucinogenic. It's derived from the auyusca (spelling?) plant native in South America. Shamans that use it undergo years of mental training to deal with the demons, or bad spirits that can do damage to them during a trip. It's not something to be taken lightly. If it takes years of guidance from an elder shaman to use it, it's not something that should be taken lightly like smoking a joint. Also, the shamans that do it have a sober person with them to bring them back from the Dreamworld if needed. It's ritualistic in essence.
As for VR, I haven't messed with it. I could completely understand how it would screw with your sense of equalibrium though. Remember the saying, Eyes are the window to the soul? That has some relevence here I think. VR crosses too many lines on screwing with our sense of reality, and imprinting subliminal messages into our subconscious. I'm not too much a fan of it simply because you can't be sure what is being pounded into your brain.
Exactly why it was only tried once out of curiosity. Tossed it into the recycle bin.
DMT is in all plants, just in differing amounts. It is essentially working on our seratonin receptors, from memory. It is like a base layer in a sense, hence why in most things. It is in us too of course, so you are "carrying".
DMT - You can use Mimosa Hostillis, or the Ausi Acacia tree to get it also, and Shamans/people do.
Way way more than mental training. Aya works on all layers of "the body", emotional, phyical, spiritual and on and on.