5-MeO-DMT Use in Humans: A Scoping Review of Peer-Reviewed Research
Michael Esposito, Ana M Ortiz Bernal, Alan K. Davis, Rafael Lancelotta
January 8, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/g8phu_v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Scoping review Longitudinal Cross-sectional Qualitative |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 33 |
| Population | Human participants in studies on 5-MeO-DMT |
| Topics | 5-MeO-DMT DMT |
| Keywords | Psychological intervention Dosing Medline Mental health Systematic review Clinical trial Research design Clinical study design Intensive care medicine |
| Key findings | The review identified 33 studies on 5-MeO-DMT in humans, with most interventional studies using inhalation administration and showing large heterogeneity in design, dosing, and support. |
Abstract
Clinical trials using 5-MeO-DMT to treat various mental health conditions are currently underway, however research on 5-MeO-DMT use in humans is limited. To date, no scoping review of the published, peer-reviewed literature exists. The purpose of the present analysis is to examine the extent, range, and nature of peer-reviewed research on the use of 5-MeO-DMT in humans and, ultimately, to inform future scientific efforts on this topic. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a total of 533 studies involving 5-MeO-DMT were identified via the initial search process. Ultimately, 33 studies met eligibility requirements and were included in the present study. Of the 33 studies included in the present analysis, 15 used an interventional design, 13 used a cross-sectional design, 4 were case studies, and 1 was a self-experiment. The majority of the interventional studies (13/15) assessed an inhalation method of administration, although various dosages and dosing regimens were utilized. Common outcomes measured include cognition, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety. Overall, previous studies show large heterogeneity in study design, dosing, and support. Future research can expand the evidence base by further exploring the effects of different routes of administration on various outcomes and including more neuroimaging, qualitative, and longitudinal data.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on 5-MeO-DMT, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuropharmacology of N,N-dimethyltryptamine | 2016 | Review | |
| N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an Endogenous Hallucinogen: Past, Present, and Future Research to Determine Its Role and Function Humans and animals (general) | 2018 | Review | |
| Psychedelic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine: metabolism, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, and pharmacological actions. Humans (pharmacokinetics) | 2010 | Review | |
| Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience:N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) | 2018 | Review | |
| A possibly sigma-1 receptor mediated role of dimethyltryptamine in tissue protection, regeneration, and immunity. | 2013 | Review |