A Model for the Application of Target-Controlled Intravenous Infusion for a Prolonged Immersive DMT Psychedelic Experience.
Andrew R. Gallimore, Rick J. Strassman
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2016 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00211 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or methodological paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | target-controlled intravenous infusion of DMT |
| Topics | Ayahuasca DMT |
| Keywords | Consciousness Hallucinations Intravenous infusion Pharmacokinetic modeling Psychedelic drugs Psychedelic research DMT Experience |
| Citations | 51 |
| Key points | Proposes that target-controlled intravenous infusion can maintain a stable and prolonged DMT experience, enabling extended observation and neuroimaging. |
Abstract
The state of consciousness induced by N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is one of the most extraordinary of any naturally-occurring psychedelic substance. Users consistently report the complete replacement of normal subjective experience with a novel "alternate universe," often densely populated with a variety of strange objects and other highly complex visual content, including what appear to be sentient "beings." The phenomenology of the DMT state is of great interest to psychology and calls for rigorous academic enquiry. The extremely short duration of DMT effects-less than 20 min-militates against single dose administration as the ideal model for such enquiry. Using pharmacokinetic modeling and DMT blood sampling data, we demonstrate that the unique pharmacological characteristics of DMT, which also include a rapid onset and lack of acute tolerance to its subjective effects, make it amenable to administration by target-controlled intravenous infusion. This is a technology developed to maintain a stable brain concentration of anesthetic drugs during surgery. Simulations of our model demonstrate that this approach will allow research subjects to be induced into a stable and prolonged DMT experience, making it possible to carefully observe its psychological contents, and provide more extensive accounts for subsequent analyses. This model would also be valuable in performing functional neuroimaging, where subjects are required to remain under the influence of the drug for extended periods. Finally, target-controlled intravenous infusion of DMT may aid the development of unique psychotherapeutic applications of this psychedelic agent.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on DMT, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| When the Endogenous Hallucinogenic Trace AmineN,N-Dimethyltryptamine Meets the Sigma-1 Receptor | 2009 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): a biochemical Swiss Army knife in neuroinflammation and neuroprotection? | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Dimethyltryptamine Experiments with Psychotics | 1958 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Enlightening the "Spirit Molecule": Photomodulation of the 5-HT2A Receptor by a Light-Controllable N,N-Dimethyltryptamine Derivative. | 2022 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Conformational, spectroscopic and nonlinear optical properties of biologically active N,N-dimethyltryptamine molecule: a theoretical study. | 2014 | Theoretical or computational study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 35
- N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an Endogenous Hallucinogen: Past, Present, and Future Research to Determine Its Role and Function Frontiers in Neuroscience August 6, 2018
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Healthy Subjects Clinical Pharmacokinetics February 14, 2017
- A phase 1/2 trial to assess safety and efficacy of a vaporized 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine formulation (GH001) in patients with treatment-resistant depression Frontiers in Psychiatry June 20, 2023
- Acute effects of intravenous DMT in a randomized placebo-controlled study in healthy participants. Translational Psychiatry May 23, 2023
- The Psychedelic Future of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Current Neuropharmacology January 5, 2024
and 30 more in the library
Cites 35
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
- Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 23, 2012
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- Neural correlates of the LSD experience revealed by multimodal neuroimaging. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences April 11, 2016
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for alcoholism: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Journal of Psychopharmacology March 8, 2012
and 30 more in the library