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5-MeO-DMT for post-traumatic stress disorder: a real-world longitudinal case study

Anya Ragnhildstveit, Ryan Khan, Paul Seli, River Jude August, Miriam Kaiyo, Nathaniel Barr, Lisa C. Bass, Laura Jackson, Michael S. Gaffrey, Joseph P Barsuglia, Lynnette A. Averill

Frontiers in Psychiatry November 23, 2023 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1271152 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case study Longitudinal Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 1
Population 23-year-old female with chronic refractory PTSD
Intervention 5-MeO-DMT
Dose 10-15 mg of 5-MeO-DMT (estimated, in vaporized bufotoxin)
Duration 12-month follow-up
Topics 5-MeO-DMT DMT PTSD
Keywords Adverse effect Psychopathology Clinical psychology
Citations 17
Key findings A single dose of 5-MeO-DMT led to clinically significant and sustained improvements in PTSD symptoms, hopelessness, and suicide risk in one patient with chronic refractory PTSD.

Abstract

Psychedelic therapy is, arguably, the next frontier in psychiatry. It offers a radical alternative to longstanding, mainstays of treatment, while exciting a paradigm shift in translational science and drug discovery. There is particular interest in 5-methoxy- N,N -dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT)—a serotonergic psychedelic—as a novel, fast-acting therapeutic. Yet, few studies have directly examined 5-MeO-DMT for trauma- or stress-related psychopathology, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Herein, we present the first longitudinal case study on 5-MeO-DMT for chronic refractory PTSD, in a 23-year-old female. A single dose of vaporized bufotoxin of the Sonoran Desert Toad ( Incilius alvarius ), containing an estimated 10−15 mg of 5-MeO-DMT, led to clinically significant improvements in PTSD, with next-day effects. This was accompanied by marked reductions in hopelessness and related suicide risk. Improvements, across all constructs, were sustained at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-months follow-up, as monitored by a supporting clinician. The subject further endorsed a complete mystical experience, hypothesized to underly 5-MeO-DMT’s therapeutic activity. No drug-related, serious adverse events occurred. Together, results showed that 5-MeO-DMT was generally tolerable, safe to administer, and effective for PTSD; however, this was not without risk. The subject reported acute nausea, overwhelming subjective effects, and late onset of night terrors. Further research is warranted to replicate and extend these findings, which are inherently limited, non-generalizable, and rely on methods not clinically accepted.

Comparable studies

Other case reports and case series on 5-MeO-DMT, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
A fatal intoxication following the ingestion of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in an ayahuasca preparation. 25-year-old white male 2005 Case study n = 1
Combined intoxication with methylone and 5-MeO-MIPT 27-year-old male patient 2006 Case report n = 1
Sudden death associated with intravenous injection of toad extract. A 24-year-old male 2009 Case study n = 1
5-Meo-DALT-induced Cyclic Myoclonus (P3.013) A 29-year-old man with history of heroin and marijuana abuse 2015 Case report n = 1
A case report SPECT study and theoretical rationale for the sequential administration of ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. 31-year-old male military veteran with moderate alcohol use disorder 2018 Case study n = 1

Citations in the library

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Related reading

Explore topics

5-MeO-DMT DMT PTSD Mystical experience Mysticism Psychedelic-assisted therapy Serotonin