Vigilance state dissociation induced by 5-MeO-DMT in mice.
Benjamin J. B. Bréant, José Prius-Mengual, Alexander Andrews, Anna Hoerder-Suabedissen, Jasmin Patel, David M. Bannerman, Trevor Sharp, Vladyslav V. Vyazovskiy
Communications Biology January 5, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-025-09412-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adult male mice |
| Intervention | 5-MeO-DMT |
| Dose | a short-acting psychedelic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) |
| Duration | 48 hours post-injection |
| Topics | 5-MeO-DMT DMT |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | 5-MeO-DMT induces a dissociated state in awake, moving mice characterized by cortical slow oscillations and pupil dilation, with initial REM sleep suppression followed by overcompensation and attenuation of sleep deprivation-induced slow-wave rebound. |
Abstract
Psychedelics lead to profound changes in subjective experience and behaviour, which are typically conceptualised in psychological terms rather than corresponding to an altered brain state or a distinct state of vigilance. Here, we performed chronic electrophysiological recordings from the neocortex concomitant with pupillometry in freely moving adult male mice following an injection of a short-acting psychedelic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT). We report an acute induction of a dissociated state, characterised by prominent slow oscillations in the cortex and marked pupil dilation in behaviourally awake, moving animals. REM sleep was initially markedly suppressed, but was overcompensated in the subsequent 48 hours, while administration of 5-MeO-DMT immediately after sleep deprivation attenuated the subsequent rebound of sleep slow-wave activity. We argue that the occurrence of a dissociated state combining features of waking and sleep may fundamentally underpin the known and hypothesised effects of psychedelics - from dream-like hallucinations to reopening of the critical period for plasticity.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on 5-MeO-DMT, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic N,N-dimethyltryptamine and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine modulate innate and adaptive inflammatory responses through the sigma-1 receptor of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Human primary monocyte-derived dendritic cells | 2014 | In vitro study | |
| Effects of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine on Rat Behaviors Relevant to Anxiety and Depression Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats | 2018 | Experimental study | |
| Hallucinogen-like actions of 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine in mice and rats. Mice and rats | 2006 | Preclinical study | |
| Agonist Properties of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine at Serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C Receptors Rats and transfected fibroblasts | 1998 | Experimental study | |
| Subtypes of the 5-HT receptor mediating the behavioural responses to 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in the rat Intact rats and rats depleted of monoamines with reserpine | 1985 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cites 29
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Ketamine and Ketamine Metabolite Pharmacology: Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms Pharmacological Reviews June 26, 2018
- The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs: Past, Present, and Future. Neuropsychopharmacology April 26, 2017
- Validation of the revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire in experimental sessions with psilocybin Journal of Psychopharmacology October 6, 2015
and 24 more in the library