Johns Hopkins researchers recently conducted a new survey into the anti-depressant qualities of DMT – a short-acting psychedelic. They reported that it resulted in extraordinarily positive improvements in well-being. The research thus revealed that the use of the synthetic psychedelic 5-methocy-N,-N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) appears to be associated with unintended improvements in self-reported depression and anxiety when given in a ceremonial group setting.
5-MeO-DMT is a psychedelic that is found in the venom of Bufo Alvarius toads, in a variety of plants species, and can be produced synthetically. It is the strongest and most heavily dissociative derivative of DMT. Its duration of action is brief, making it a potentially more useful option in clinical applications, as opposed to longer acting psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD. Often within a minute of being inhaled or injected, DMT is in full effect. The length of the effect can range anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.
Alan Davis, one of the researchers working on the project, said:
“Research has shown that psychedelics given alongside psychotherapy help people with depression and anxiety. However, psychedelic sessions usually require 7—8 hours per session because psychedelics typically have a long duration of action. Because 5-MeO-DMT is short-acting and lasts approximately 30-90 minutes, it could be much easier to use as an adjunct to therapy because current therapies usually involve a 60—90 minute session.”
The Study
- They analyzed reports from an independent group of 5-MeO-DMT users that has been experimenting with this particular psychedelic for over a decade.
- Then, they surveyed 362 adults with the majority (63 percent) reporting having only used 5-MeO-DMT between one and three times.
The Results
- About 80 percent of the participants reported improvements in anxiety and depression after use.
- Improvements were also related to stronger beliefs that the experience contributed to enduring well-being and life satisfaction.
- These results were published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
Conclusion
The psychedelic agent psilocybin was granted Breakthrough Status by the FDA last year because early clinical evidence demonstrated the psychedelic to be extremely promising as a treatment for major depression. This means that the FDA will now assist and expedite subsequent development processes. Perhaps the biggest challenge scientists are facing in turning these psychedelic agents into clinical treatments is the long duration of acute action.
A dose of psilocybin results in acute effects lasting up to eight hours, requiring extensive treatment scenarios to be established allowing for the safe clinical administration of the drug; while DMT offers a much briefer duration of action, allowing for a hypothetical treatment session of less than two hours. Furthermore, a previous study by Davis published in The Journal of Psychopharmacology showed that 5-MeO-DMT had a safe profile of use and low risk for health and legal consequences.
Davis said:
“It is important to examine the short- and long-term effects of 5-MeO-DMT, which may enhance mood in general or may be particularly mood enhancing for those individuals experiencing clinically significant negative mood. Regardless, this research is in its infancy and further investigation is warranted in healthy volunteers.”
