Reactivations Associated with the Use of 5-MeO-DMT Among Spanish-Speaking Individuals: Prevalence, Predictors, and Emotional Valence.
A.M. Ortiz Bernal, C.L. Raison, R.L. Lancelotta, C Timmermann, N.D Sepeda, A.K Davis
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 23, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2025.2577305 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 90 |
| Population | Spanish-speaking individuals who used 5-MeO-DMT |
| Intervention | 5-MeO-DMT |
| Topics | 5-MeO-DMT DMT |
| Keywords | Psychedelic Entheogen Psychoactive substance Reactivations Flashbacks Spontaneous re-experiences Residual effects Dose-related User experience Emotional impact Well-being Psychological effects Subjective effects Post-use effects Positive effects Neutral effects Non-distressing Survey findings Research results Prevalence study User reports Questionnaire data Predictors |
| Key findings | Sixty-nine percent of respondents reported reactivations after 5-MeO-DMT use, with 97% describing them as positive or neutral. Longer time planned ahead and decreases in cognitive fusion predicted reactivations; challenging experiences were associated with a lower likelihood of positive perception, while psychological insight was linked to a higher likelihood of positive perception. |
Abstract
5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a psychedelic gaining interest as a potential mental health treatment. However, a poorly characterized phenomenon termed reactivation (similar to "flashbacks") is commonly reported with 5-MeO-DMT use and merits investigation. This study examined the prevalence, predictors, and emotional valence of reactivations among Spanish-speaking individuals. Specifically, we investigated whether gender, time planned ahead, intensity of acute effects, and the meaningfulness attributed to the experience predicted reactivation events. We also explored whether decreases in cognitive fusion were associated with reactivations, and whether these variables influenced the emotional valence of those experiences. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted with 90 respondents. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the aims. Sixty-nine percent of respondents reported reactivations, with 97% indicating the experience was positive or neutral. In the multivariable logistic regression model, longer time planned ahead and decreases in cognitive fusion significantly predicted reactivations. Challenging experiences were associated with a lower likelihood of reactivations being perceived as positive, while psychological insight was linked to a higher likelihood of positive perceptions. Reactivations among this sample appear to be common and predominately perceived as positive or neutral. Their association with cognitive fusion decreases suggests potential clinical relevance worth further investigation.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on 5-MeO-DMT, most cited first.
Citations in the library
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