Beyond the toad's kiss: Mapping acute 5-MeO-DMT effects on brain connectivity across sex and dose using awake rat neuroimaging

Noah Cavallaro; Priya Rai; David Akins; Sima Soltanpour; Md Taufiq Nasseef; Richard J. Ortiz; Dan Madularu; Praveen P Kulkarni; Craig F. Ferris

doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2026.110886

Beyond the toad's kiss: Mapping acute 5-MeO-DMT effects on brain connectivity across sex and dose using awake rat neuroimaging

Noah Cavallaro, Priya Rai, David Akins, Sima Soltanpour, Md Taufiq Nasseef, Richard J. Ortiz, Dan Madularu, Praveen P Kulkarni, Craig F. Ferris

Neuropharmacology March 6, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2026.110886 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract

Characteristics	Observational study Peer reviewed
Intervention	5-MeO-DMT
Topics	5-MeO-DMT DMT
Keywords	Wakefulness Brain mapping Anesthesia Functional connectivity Central nervous system Renin-angiotensin system studies
Citations	1
Key findings	The fMRI characterization of 5-MeO-DMT reveals a previously unreported sex difference in psychedelic response.

Abstract

To our knowledge, this is the first fMRI characterization of 5-MeO-DMT in any species, and it reveals a previously unreported sex difference in psychedelic response. The rapid onset and brief duration of peak effects align with 5-MeO-DMT's unique pharmacological profile and clinical reports.

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 2

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