Meditation, psychedelics, and brain connectivity: A randomized controlled resting-state fMRI study of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmine in a meditation retreat.
Klemens Egger, Daniel Meling, Firuze Polat, Erich Seifritz, Mihai Avram, Milan Scheidegger
Imaging Neuroscience September 29, 2025 DOI: 10.1162/imag.a.907 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adult participants in a meditation retreat |
| Interventions | N N-dimethyltryptamine harmine |
| Topics | 5-MeO-DMT Meditation Neuroplasticity DMT |
| Keywords | Psychedelics Harmine Psychoactive compounds Entheogens Brain connectivity Neural networks Brain communication Brain imaging Brain reorganization Meditative experiences Contemplative practices Spiritual retreats Cognitive enhancement Mental flexibility Psychological benefits Well-being Brain health |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | DMT and harmine administered during a meditation retreat altered resting-state functional connectivity in brain networks associated with self-referential thought and sensory integration, correlating with improved psychological well-being. |
Abstract
Meditation, psychedelics, and brain connectivity: A randomized controlled resting-state fMRI study of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmine in a meditation retreat.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on DMT, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dose-Response Study of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine in Humans Experienced hallucinogen users | 1994 | Double-blind, saline placebo-controlled, randomized study | n = 12 |
| DMT Models the Near-Death Experience Healthy participants | 2018 | Within-subjects placebo-controlled study | n = 13 |
| Human brain effects of DMT assessed via EEG-fMRI. Healthy volunteers | 2023 | Within-subjects, placebo-controlled design | n = 20 |
| Psychological Effects of (S)-Ketamine and N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): A Double-Blind, Cross-Over Study in Healthy Volunteers Healthy volunteers | 2005 | Double-blind crossover study | n = 9 |
| Differential tolerance to biological and subjective effects of four closely spaced doses of N,N-dimethyltryptamine in humans Experienced hallucinogen users | 1996 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 13 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Tripping Toward the Real: Inducing Liminal Sensory Experiences through Psychoactive Substances in Buddhist Contemplative Practice Journal of the American Academy of Religion July 11, 2026
- Mixed-methods analysis on psychedelic-augmented meditation experiences from a randomized controlled mindfulness retreat Scientific Reports March 18, 2026
Cites 53
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
- The toronto mindfulness scale: Development and validation Journal of Clinical Psychology 2006
- Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 23, 2011
- The entropic brain: a theory of conscious states informed by neuroimaging research with psychedelic drugs Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2014
- Validation of the revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire in experimental sessions with psilocybin Journal of Psychopharmacology October 6, 2015
and 48 more in the library