Skip to content

N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)-Occasioned Familiarity and the Sense of Familiarity Questionnaire (SOF-Q).

David Wyndham Lawrence, Alex P DiBattista, Christopher Timmermann

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2024 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2230568 (opens in new tab)

Read Full Text
Relevant Not relevant

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational study Peer reviewed
Sample size 227
Population Naturalistic inhaled-DMT experiences reporting a sense of familiarity
Intervention inhaled DMT
Topics DMT Philosophy of mind 5-MeO-DMT
Keywords Familiarity Psychedelics hallucinogens Entheogens Mind science Cognitive science Phenomenology lived experience Subjective experience Qualia
Citations 3
Key findings The sense of familiarity during DMT experiences is non-referential to a previous psychedelic experience and is associated with mystical features, ego-dissolution, and a sense of death.

Abstract

This study investigated the sense of familiarity attributed to N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) experiences. 227 naturalistic inhaled-DMT experiences reporting a sense of familiarity were included. No experiences referenced a previous DMT or psychedelic experience as the source of the familiarity. A high prevalence of concomitant features discordant from ordinary consciousness were identified: features of a mystical experience (97.4%), ego-dissolution (16.3%), and a "profound experience of death" (11.0%). The Sense of Familiarity Questionnaire (SOF-Q) was developed assessing 19 features of familiarity across 5 themes: (1) Familiarity with the Feeling, Emotion, or Knowledge Gained; (2) Familiarity with the Place, Space, State, or Environment; (3) Familiarity with the Act of Going Through the Experience; (4) Familiarity with Transcendent Features; and (5) Familiarity Imparted by an Entity Encounter. Bayesian latent class modeling yielded two stable classes of participants who shared similar SOF-Q responses. Class 1 participants responded, "yes" more often for items within "Familiarity Imparted by an Entity Encounter" and "Familiarity with the Feeling, Emotion, or Knowledge Gained." Results catalogued features of the sense of familiarity imparted by DMT, which appears to be non-referential to a previous psychedelic experience. Findings provide insights into the unique and enigmatic familiarity reported during DMT experiences and offer a foundation for further exploration into this intriguing phenomenon.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on 5-MeO-DMT, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
A single inhalation of vapor from dried toad secretion containing 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) in a naturalistic setting is related to sustained enhancement of satisfaction with life, mindfulness-related capacities, and a decrement of psychopathological symptoms. Volunteers who inhaled vapor from dried toad secretion at several European locations 2019 Observational cohort n = 42
Intensity of Mystical Experiences Occasioned by 5-MeO-DMT and Comparison With a Prior Psilocybin Study Individuals at a psychospiritual retreat in Mexico 2018 Observational cohort n = 20
Neural and subjective effects of inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine in natural settings. Healthy and experienced participants 2021 Observational field study n = 35
A Phase 1, Dose-Ranging Study to Assess Safety and Psychoactive Effects of a Vaporized 5-Methoxy-N, N-Dimethyltryptamine Formulation (GH001) in Healthy Volunteers. Healthy volunteers 2021 Prospective dose-finding study n = 22
Open-label study of consecutive ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT assisted-therapy for trauma-exposed male Special Operations Forces Veterans: prospective data from a clinical program in Mexico. Trauma-exposed Special Operations Forces Veterans 2023 Prospective clinical program evaluation n = 86

Citations in the library

Cited by 3

Cites 54

and 49 more in the library

Related reading

Explore topics

DMT Philosophy of mind 5-MeO-DMT Ego dissolution Mystical experience Mysticism