Single Dose of Powerful Psychedelic Reduces Depression Symptoms in Clinical Trial

A single dose of the psychedelic compound DMT has shown significant promise in reducing symptoms of major depressive disorder, according to a groundbreaking clinical trial led by researchers at Imperial College London.

The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, found that participants with depression who received dimethyltryptamine (DMT) experienced greater reductions in symptom severity compared to those who took a placebo, with some reporting benefits lasting up to six months after treatment.

DMT is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in various plants and animals, with properties similar to those in “magic mushrooms” and the neurotransmitter serotonin. It’s known for producing intense but brief hallucinations and serves as the psychoactive ingredient in ayahuasca, a traditional brew prepared by combining DMT-containing plants with others that contain monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

“DMT probably works for depression by taking you out of your downhill spiral while at the same time altering brain chemistry in a way to promote the release of hormones, especially serotonin, but also dopamine,” explained Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, who was not involved in the study.

The clinical trial involved 34 patients suffering from moderate to severe depression who had previously failed to respond to at least two different treatment approaches. Half received a single 21.5 mg intravenous dose of DMT over a 10-minute period, while the others received a placebo.

Researchers assessed symptom severity using the standardized Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) before and after treatment. Two weeks following administration, the DMT group showed significantly less severe symptoms compared to the placebo group.

“These results nicely add to the growing body of evidence for great potential of psychedelic therapies in mental health disorders,” said David Erritzoe, PhD, the study’s lead author from Imperial College London.

The research team reported no serious adverse events during the trial, though they acknowledged several limitations to their findings. The study lacked ethnic diversity among participants, and individuals with histories of serious suicide attempts were excluded from participation.

Dr. Siegel noted that DMT does not appear to be addictive, though he expressed concern about unregulated use. “The problem is that many people are microdosing ayahuasca, and I am against that because it has unpredictable responses,” he said.

Researchers also observed that DMT’s effectiveness seems to correlate with the intensity of the psychedelic experience it generates, which can vary significantly between individuals.

“This is a trial that sits in the early phase of specifically developing DMT therapy for depression, so larger trials are required as next steps,” Erritzoe told Fox News Digital, emphasizing that the research, while promising, is still preliminary.

For those currently struggling with treatment-resistant depression, Erritzoe suggested that ketamine-assisted therapy might be a more accessible alternative while DMT and other psychedelic treatments undergo further testing and regulatory review.

“For people who suffer depression and haven’t had sufficient improvements from existing treatments, ketamine-assisted therapy, done in a thoughtful way with good therapists involved, is a great alternative while the next line of treatments are being further tested and considered for regulatory approval,” he said.

Ketamine, initially approved as an anesthetic, has garnered significant attention for its potential in treating depression. However, Dr. Justin Gerstner, psychiatrist and chief medical officer at Ellie Mental Health, has warned that the field lacks standardized protocols.

“The field is wide open, and it’s a little bit like the Wild West,” he previously told Fox News Digital. “This is a really powerful medication, and the way that it’s used can vary quite drastically.”

Ketamine therapy carries its own risks, including elevated blood pressure, breathing difficulties, amnesia, seizures, addiction, impaired coordination, and urinary tract complications. At high doses, it can cause potentially fatal cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological issues.

The DMT study represents an important step forward in the emerging field of psychedelic medicine, offering new hope for the millions suffering from treatment-resistant depression. However, researchers caution that much work remains before such treatments might become widely available clinical options.