Sleep-like state during wakefulness induced by psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT in mice
Benjamin J. B. Bréant, José Prius-Mengual, David M. Bannerman, Trevor Sharp, Vladyslav V. Vyazovskiy, Trevor Sharp
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) December 11, 2022 preprint DOI: 10.1101/2022.12.11.519886 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study |
|---|---|
| Population | Adult male mice |
| Interventions | 5-methoxy-N N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) |
| Topics | Serotonin 5-MeO-DMT DMT |
| Keywords | Wakefulness Vigilance psychology Slow-wave sleep Electrophysiology Electroencephalography |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | 5-MeO-DMT induces a dissociated state of arousal with sleep-like cortical slow waves and pupil dilation in awake, moving mice, while suppressing REM sleep. |
Abstract
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 arousal. Here, we performed chronic electrophysiological recordings from the cortex 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 observed an acute induction of a dissociated state of arousal, characterised by prominent sleep-like slow waves in the cortex and marked pupil dilation in behaviourally awake, moving animals. REM sleep was markedly suppressed, similar to the effect of conventional antidepressants. We argue that the occurrence of a dissociated brain 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
Cited by 3
- What is sleep exactly? Global and local modulations of sleep oscillations all around the clock. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews December 1, 2023
- Complex slow waves in the human brain under 5-MeO-DMT. Cell Reports July 22, 2025
- Complex slow waves radically reorganise human brain dynamics under 5-MeO-DMT bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) October 7, 2024
Cites 34
- 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
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs: Past, Present, and Future. Neuropsychopharmacology April 26, 2017
and 29 more in the library