Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
September 4, 2018
Rafael Vitor Lima Da Cruz, Thiago C. Moulin, Lyvia Lintzmaier Petiz et al.
86 citations
A single injection of the psychedelic compound 5-MeO-DMT into the brain's fluid-filled spaces increased the production of new neurons in the dentate gyrus of adult mice. Treated mice had more newborn granule cells, and these cells developed more complex branch-like structures. The new neurons also showed shorter afterhyperpolarization potentials and higher action potential thresholds, indicating altered electrical properties. These effects on neurogenesis may help explain the potential antidepressant actions of DMT-like compounds.
Experimental Neurology
April 1, 2020
Jessica Winne, Barbara C Boerner, Thawann Malfatti et al.
34 citations
Salicylate intoxication, which causes tinnitus and anxiety in humans, induces anxiety-like behavior and a specific brain oscillation called type 2 theta (theta2) in the hippocampus of young mice with normal hearing, but not in older mice. A single dose of the hallucinogenic compound 5-MeO-DMT prevents both the anxiety-like behavior and the increase in theta2 and slow gamma oscillations in the ventral hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex after salicylate injection. These findings suggest that the anxiety triggered by salicylate depends on normal hearing and that hallucinogenic compounds may be effective for treating tinnitus-related anxiety.
Molecular Psychiatry
January 1, 2025
Margareth Nogueira, Daiane C Ferreira Golbert, Richardson Menezes et al.
18 citations
A single dose of the short-acting psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT alters expression of genes related to plasticity and neuronal activity in specific brain regions of mice, including the anterior cingulate cortex, basolateral amygdala, and ventral hippocampus. Immediate early genes Arc and Zif268 changed within hours, while TRIP8b, a modulator of neuronal activity, increased in the ventral hippocampus after five days. Behaviorally, 5-MeO-DMT produced mixed anxiety-reducing and anxiety-increasing effects in standard tests, but mice pre-treated with the compound and then exposed to acute stress showed lower corticosterone levels and strong anxiety-reducing effects. The findings suggest molecular pathways through which 5-MeO-DMT may produce anxiolytic effects.
Mol Med
December 19, 2024
Rafael V Lima Da Cruz, Richardson N. Leão, Thiago C. Moulin
13 citations
New neurons continue to be generated in the mammalian brain throughout life, a process called adult neurogenesis that is linked to stress regulation and mood disorders. Psychedelic compounds—including phenethylamines, tryptamines, cannabinoids, and others—have emerged as potential treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders, with many reports connecting their effects to increased adult neurogenesis. This systematic review examined studies on neurogenesis and related brain plasticity after psychedelic interventions, searching PubMed and Science Direct for articles published up to January 31, 2023. The authors analyzed experimental studies using in vivo or in vitro models and human studies, categorizing findings into five psychedelic classes: CB1 agonists, NMDA antagonists, harmala alkaloids, tryptamines, and entactogens. The review describes how different psychedelics may affect the birth of new neurons and brain plasticity, offering insights for future therapeutic strategies.
Scientific Reports
May 17, 2024
Annie C. Souza, Bryan C. Souza, Arthur França et al.
7 citations
The psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT alters brain activity in rats by increasing delta waves and decreasing theta waves in the hippocampus, changes that are not explained by movement. It also reduces slow and mid gamma power and disrupts theta phase modulation. The overall brain state resembles patterns seen during slow-wave sleep and REM sleep, suggesting that the drug's effects involve mixing waking behavior with sleep-like neural oscillations.
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
April 4, 2019
Rafael Vitor Lima Da Cruz, Thiago C. Moulin, Lyvia Lintzmaier Petiz et al.
4 citations
correction
This is a correction notice for a previously published article. It does not present new findings or arguments. The notice corrects errors in the original paper, specifically in the Materials and Methods section regarding the number of animals used per group and in the Results section regarding the number of animals per group for behavioral tests.
Translational Psychiatry
January 29, 2026
Rafael V Lima Da Cruz, Rêmullo B. G. De Miranda Costa, Gabriel M. De Queiroz et al.
2 citations
A single dose of the psychedelic DMT reversed depression-like behavior and restored cognitive performance in male mice exposed to chronic stress, outperforming chronic fluoxetine across most measures. When given during the stress period, DMT reduced anhedonia but did not rescue cognitive deficits, indicating domain-specific long-lasting effects. All DMT regimens increased the integration of adult-born granule cells and reduced abnormally integrated cells in the brain, suggesting structural circuit repair. The role of the psychedelic experience remains uncertain because isoflurane anesthesia may have confounded results.
bioRxiv Preprint Server
April 26, 2025
Rafael V Lima Da Cruz, Rêmullo B. G. De Miranda Costa, Gabriel M. De Queiroz et al.
2 citations
preprint
A single dose of the psychedelic DMT reversed depression-like behaviors and cognitive impairments in mice exposed to chronic stress, outperforming the standard antidepressant fluoxetine. When given during stress, DMT prevented anhedonia but not cognitive deficits. DMT remained effective even under anesthesia, suggesting its therapeutic action does not require the psychedelic experience. All DMT regimens increased the integration of adult-born granule cells in the brain and reduced abnormal cell integration. The findings position DMT as a promising rapid-acting antidepressant that works through structural brain repair.
Research Square
December 28, 2023
Margareth Nogueira, Daiane C Ferreira Golbert, Richardson Menezes et al.
2 citations
A single high dose of the short-acting psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT alters gene expression in specific brain regions of mice, including the anterior cingulate cortex, basolateral amygdala, ventral hippocampus CA1 region, and dentate gyrus. The compound changed mRNA levels of immediate early genes Arc and Zif268 in several regions and increased TRIP8b expression in the ventral hippocampus after five days. Behaviorally, treated mice showed mixed anxiety-reducing and anxiety-increasing effects in standard tests. However, when pre-treated mice were subjected to acute stress, they had lower corticosterone levels and robust anxiety-reducing effects. These findings suggest molecular actions of 5-MeO-DMT related to its potential anxiolytic effects.
Scientific Reports
July 14, 2024
Annie C. Souza, Bryan C. Souza, Arthur França et al.
1 citation
No Summary
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
July 20, 2023
Rafael V Lima Da Cruz, Richardson N. Leão, Thiago C. Moulin
preprint
New neurons continue to be generated in the mammalian brain throughout life, a process linked to the HPA axis and mood disorders. Psychedelic compounds—including phenethylamines, tryptamines, cannabinoids, and others—have emerged as potential treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders, with evidence suggesting they increase adult neurogenesis. This systematic review examined 68 studies from a total of 205 articles, covering CB1 agonists, NMDA antagonists, harmala alkaloids, tryptamines, and entactogens. The findings describe how different psychedelics affect the birth of new neurons and brain plasticity, providing a comprehensive picture that may inform future therapeutic strategies for neuropsychiatric disorders.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
June 5, 2023
Annie Da Costa Souza, Bryan Da Costa Souza, Arthur França et al.
preprint
The psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT increases delta power and decreases theta power in the hippocampus of freely moving rats, effects not explained by changes in locomotion. It also dose-dependently reduces slow and mid gamma power and theta phase modulation. The overall spectral profile of awake behavior after 5-MeO-DMT resembles electrophysiological states seen during slow-wave sleep and REM sleep. These findings suggest that classical psychedelics may integrate waking behaviors with sleep-like neural activity patterns.