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Transient destabilization of whole brain dynamics induced by DMT

Juan Ignacio Piccinini, Yonatan Sanz Perl, Carla Pallavicini, Gustavo Deco, Morten L. Kringelbach, David Nutt, Robin Carhart-Harris, Christopher Timmermann, Enzo Tagliazucchi

bioRxiv January 29, 2024 preprint DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.26.577435 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational cohort with computational modeling
Sample size 15
Population Human volunteers
Interventions N N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
Dose 20 mg intravenous
Topics Altered states of consciousness DMT
Keywords Psychedelics Hallucinogens Entheogens Brain dynamics Neural activity Brain states Brain function Brain patterns Brain flexibility Consciousness States of mind Perception Reality Brain research Neuroimaging Cognitive science
Key findings The brain under DMT enters a transient state of heightened reactivity near a critical point, concentrated in fronto-parietal regions and visual cortices, which correlates with serotonin 5HT2a receptor density.

Abstract

Abstract The transition towards the brain state induced by psychedelic drugs is frequently neglected in favor of a static description of their acute effects. We used a time-dependent whole-brain model to reproduce large-scale brain dynamics measured with fMRI from 15 volunteers under 20 mg intravenous N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a short-acting psychedelic. To capture its transient effects, we parametrized the proximity to a global bifurcation using a pharmacokinetic equation. Simulated perturbations revealed a transient of heightened reactivity concentrated in fronto-parietal regions and visual cortices, correlated with serotonin 5HT2a receptor density, the primary target of psychedelics. These advances suggest a mechanism to explain key features of the psychedelic state and also predicts that the temporal evolution of these features aligns with pharmacokinetics. Our results contribute to understanding how psychedelics introduce a transient where minimal perturbations can achieve a maximal effect, shedding light on how short psychedelic episodes may extend an overarching influence over time.

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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Altered states of consciousness DMT 5-MeO-DMT Addiction Serotonin