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Autonomic nervous system activity correlates with peak experiences induced by DMT and predicts increases in well-being.

Valerie Bonnelle, Amanda Feilding, Fernando E. Rosas, David Nutt, Robin Carhart-Harris, Christopher Timmermann

Journal of Psychopharmacology October 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1177/02698811241276788 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational cohort Peer reviewed
Sample size 17
Population 11 males, mean age 33.8 years
Interventions N N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
Duration 2-week follow-up
Topics Mystical experience DMT
Keywords Transcendent states Psychedelics hallucinogens Entheogens Spiritual insights Profound experiences Sympathetic nervous Autonomic nervous system Heart rate variability Sympathovagal balance Sympathovagal coactivation Psychoactive substances
Citations 16
Key findings Sympathovagal coactivation during DMT experience is positively related to spiritual experience and insightfulness, and pre-injection sympathovagal balance predicts insightfulness.

Abstract

Non-ordinary states of consciousness induced by psychedelics can be accompanied by so-called "peak experiences," characterized at the emotional level by their intensity and positive valence. These experiences are strong predictors of positive outcomes following psychedelic-assisted therapy, and it is therefore important to better understand their biology. Despite growing evidence that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays an important role in mediating emotional experiences, its involvement in the psychedelic experience is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent changes in the relative influence of the sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous systems (PNS) over cardiac activity may reflect the subjective experience induced by the short-acting psychedelic N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT). We derived measures of SNS and PNS activity from the electrocardiograms of 17 participants (11 males, mean age = 33.8 years, SD = 8.3) while they received either DMT or placebo. Results show that the joint influence of SNS and PNS ("sympathovagal coactivation") over cardiac activity was positively related to participants' ratings of "Spiritual Experience" and "Insightfulness" during the DMT experience, while also being related to improved well-being scores 2 weeks after the session. In addition, we found that the state of balance between the two ANS branches ("sympathovagal balance") before DMT injection predicted scores of "Insightfulness" during the DMT experience, as well as subsequent sympathovagal coactivation. These findings demonstrate the involvement of the ANS in psychedelic-induced peak experiences and may pave the way to the development of biofeedback-based tools to enhance psychedelic therapy.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on DMT, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Neural correlates of the DMT experience assessed with multivariate EEG. 6 female, 7 male human participants 2019 Observational cohort n = 13
A single inhalation of vapor from dried toad secretion containing 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) in a naturalistic setting is related to sustained enhancement of satisfaction with life, mindfulness-related capacities, and a decrement of psychopathological symptoms. Volunteers who inhaled vapor from dried toad secretion at several European locations 2019 Observational cohort n = 42
Metabolism and urinary disposition of N,N‐dimethyltryptamine after oral and smoked administration: a comparative study DMT users 2014 Observational cohort n = 6
Intensity of Mystical Experiences Occasioned by 5-MeO-DMT and Comparison With a Prior Psilocybin Study Individuals at a psychospiritual retreat in Mexico 2018 Observational cohort n = 20
Neural and subjective effects of inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine in natural settings. Healthy and experienced participants 2021 Observational field study n = 35

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Explore topics

Mystical experience DMT 5-MeO-DMT Altered states of consciousness Philosophy of mind Psychedelic-assisted therapy