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A longitudinal study of urinary excretion of N,N,-dimethyltryptamine in psychotic patients.

S A Checkley, Robin Murray, M C Oon, R Rodnight, J L Birley

The British Journal of Psychiatry September 1980 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.137.3.236 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Longitudinal observational study Peer reviewed
Sample size 9
Population Five patients with schizophrenic illnesses and four patients with rapidly or slowly cycling manic-depressive illness
Topics 5-MeO-DMT DMT
Key findings Urinary DMT excretion was frequently raised during psychosis and usually normal after recovery, yet rapid changes in illness severity or mood state were not accompanied by corresponding changes in DMT excretion. The authors suggest that extracerebral DMT production, as measured by urinary excretion, does not provoke hallucinations in psychotic patients.

Abstract

The excretion of N,N,-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) has been measured in longitudinal studies of five patients with schizophrenic illnesses and in four patients with rapidly or slowly cycling manic-depressive illness. The excretion of DMT was frequently raised in patients when they were psychotic but was usually normal when they had recovered. However, rapid changes in the severity of illness or sudden switches from one mood state to another were not accompanied by changes in the excretion of DMT. These findings contrast with the immediate hallucinogenic effects of an injection of DMT, and suggest that the extracerebral production of DMT (as measured by its urinary excretion) does not provoke the experience of hallucinations in psychotic patients.

Comparable studies

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

Study Year Design Participants
Neural correlates of the DMT experience assessed with multivariate EEG. 6 female, 7 male human participants 2019 Observational cohort n = 13
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
Metabolism and urinary disposition of N,N‐dimethyltryptamine after oral and smoked administration: a comparative study DMT users 2014 Observational cohort n = 6
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

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