Mapping the phenomenology of intranasal 5-MeO-DMT in psychedelic-naïve healthy adults.
Anna O. Ermakova, Fiona Dunbar, Mathieu Seynaeve, Raphaël Millière
Scientific Reports November 6, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-22620-z (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 1 trial Randomized Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 32 |
| Population | Psychedelic-naïve healthy participants |
| Intervention | intranasal 5-MeO-DMT (BPL-003) |
| Topics | Ego dissolution Mystical experience 5-MeO-DMT DMT Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | 5-MEO-DMT Study Hallucinogen research Psychoactive drug study Clinical psychedelic research Subjective experience Altered perception Consciousness Emotional release Unity Mental health Psychological benefits Emotional well-being Therapeutic potential |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | 5-MeO-DMT has a distinctive subjective profile with rapid onset, short duration, strong emotional and bodily experiences, and potential for therapeutic insights. |
Abstract
5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a naturally occurring psychedelic tryptamine. Plants containing 5-MeO-DMT have been used throughout history, and in recent years both synthetic and toad-derived 5-MeO-DMT use is being increasingly reported in naturalistic settings as well as clinical research. However, its subjective effects are not well characterised, and no qualitative research studies have been published to date. In this study, 32 psychedelic-naïve healthy participants from a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 1 trial of the escalating doses of a proprietary formulation of intranasal 5-MeO-DMT (BPL-003) were interviewed using the microphenomenology method shortly after dosing sessions. Microphenomenology is a qualitative research method well-suited to elucidating how subjective effects of this short-acting psychedelic unfold over time. Detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of interview transcripts revealed a generic time-course of subjective effects, with rapid onset peaking at 8-15 min and gradual return to baseline over 45-60 min. The overall intensity of effects increased with dose and the doses tested were generally well tolerated. 5-MeO-DMT has a distinctive profile of subjective effects relative to published reports of other psychedelics, with a short duration of action, relative lack of visual effects, strong emotional or bodily experiences and the potential to elicit therapeutically relevant content, such as emotional breakthroughs and personal insights. These findings inform therapeutic applications, participant preparation, and future research on 5-MeO-DMT.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on 5-MeO-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 |
| 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 |
| Pharmacokinetics of N,N-dimethyltryptamine in Humans. Healthy adults | 2023 | Phase I component of a phase I/IIa randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-escalation trial | n = 24 |
| Prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex and its attentional modulation in the human S-ketamine and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) models of psychosis Healthy volunteers | 2007 | Double-blind crossover study | n = 15 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- 5‐Methoxy‐ N , N ‐dimethyltryptamine (5‐MeO‐DMT) for alcohol use disorder: An open‐label, phase 2, proof‐of‐concept, clinical trial Addiction December 10, 2025
- Psychological change processes in alcohol use disorder: A qualitative study of 5‐methoxy‐ N , N ‐dimethyltryptamine (5‐MeO‐DMT) with cognitive behavioural therapy Addiction August 3, 2026
- Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians—5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine American Journal of Therapeutics February 20, 2026
- PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF PTSD WITH PSYCHEDELICS: A FUTURE OUTLOOK International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science December 24, 2025
- Measuring the contents of hallucinations from psychedelics and stroboscopic light: the Six-Dimensional Visual Hallucination Questionnaire Royal Society Open Science September 2, 2026
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