Universität Zürich, ZORA
June 1, 2026
Klemens Egger, Robert Bozsak, Helena Aicher et al.
Classical psychedelics such as N,N -dimethyltryptamine (DMT) modulate consciousness via serotonergic receptor agonism, and are increasingly investigated for their psychotherapeutic potential. When combined with the monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitor harmine—mimicking the pharmacological profile of ayahuasca—oral DMT induces a psychedelic experience lasting 4–5 h. While some neuroimaging...
Journal of cerebral blood flow and metabolism : official journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism
June 1, 2026
Klemens Egger, Robert Bozsak, Helena Aicher et al.
Classical psychedelics such as N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) modulate consciousness via serotonergic receptor agonism, and are increasingly investigated for their psychotherapeutic potential. When combined with the monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitor harmine-mimicking the pharmacological profile of ayahuasca-oral DMT induces a psychedelic experience lasting 4-5 h. While some neuroimaging...
Open Access CRIS of the University of Bern
February 9, 2026
Mikael Palner, Elisabeth Kolesnik, Christina Baun et al.
Mammalian brain may contain an endogenous pool of the psychedelic substance N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which may act as a co-transmitter with serotonin (5-HT). We tested the joint hypotheses. We tested the joint hypotheses that endogenous DMT would accumulate in rat brain after inhibiting monoamine oxidase with pargyline, whereas its acidic metabolite 3-indoleacetic acid (3-IAA) would...
Neuropharmacology
February 9, 2026
Mikael Palner, Elisabeth Kolesnik, Christina Baun et al.
Mammalian brain may contain an endogenous pool of the psychedelic substance N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which may act as a co-transmitter with serotonin (5-HT). We tested the joint hypotheses. We tested the joint hypotheses that endogenous DMT would accumulate in rat brain after inhibiting monoamine oxidase with pargyline, whereas its acidic metabolite 3-indoleacetic acid (3-IAA) would...
Repository for Publications and Research Data (ETH Zurich)
2026
Klemens Egger, Robert Bozsak, Helena Aicher et al.
Classical psychedelics such as N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) modulate consciousness via serotonergic receptor agonism, and are increasingly investigated for their psychotherapeutic potential. When combined with the monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitor harmine—mimicking the pharmacological profile of ayahuasca—oral DMT induces a psychedelic experience lasting 4–5 h. While some neuroimaging...
Research Square
July 27, 2025
Klemens Egger, Robert Bozsak, Helena Aicher et al.
1 citation
Global Increases in Brain Glucose Metabolism Following Acute N,N-Dimethyltryptamine and Harmine Administration in Healthy Volunteers: An [¹⁸F]FDG-PET Study
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
December 28, 2024
Michael J Mueller, Helena Aicher, Dario Dornbierer et al.
10 citations
Recent interest in the clinical use of psychedelics has highlighted plant-derived medicines like ayahuasca showing rapid-acting and sustainable therapeutic effects in various psychiatric conditions. This traditional Amazonian plant decoction contains N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and β-carboline alkaloids such as harmine. However, its use is often accompanied by distressing effects like nausea,...
Frontiers in Pharmacology
2023
Klemens Egger, Frederik Gudmundsen, Naja Støckel Jessen et al.
17 citations
Rationale: The psychedelic effects of the traditional Amazonian botanical decoction known as ayahuasca are often attributed to agonism at brain serotonin 5-HT2A receptors by N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). To reduce first pass metabolism of oral DMT, ayahuasca preparations additionally contain reversible monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitors, namely β-carboline alkaloids such as harmine....