A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF RESEARCH ON N,N-DIMETHYLTRYPTAMINE
Scripta Scientifica Vox Studentium January 1, 2017 Denitsa M. Hristova, M. Zhelyazkova-Savova
The effects and medical significance of the endogenous hallucinogen N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) are poorly understood. A review of published articles from 1964 to the present found that early research (1964-1987) focused on chemical and biochemical properties such as metabolites, tolerance, distribution, and toxicity. A broad study from 1990-1994 by Rick Strassman renewed interest in DMT psychopharmacology, but subsequent research on therapeutic potential yielded inconclusive results, leading to calls for further study. Findings contradicted established knowledge, particularly regarding the sigma-1 receptor, for which DMT is the only direct agonist. Needed research should examine correlations with psychiatric diseases, the purpose of endogenous DMT production, and its therapeutic importance.