Skip to content

Complex slow waves in the human brain under 5-MeO-DMT.

George Blackburne, Rosalind McAlpine, Marco S. Fabus, Alberto Liardi, Sunjeev K. Kamboj, Pedro A. M. Mediano, Jeremy I Skipper

Cell Reports July 22, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116040 (opens in new tab)

Read Full Text
Relevant Not relevant

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational cohort Peer reviewed
Sample size 29
Population Healthy individuals
Intervention 5-MeO-DMT
Dose 12 mg
Topics 5-MeO-DMT DMT
Keywords Cp: neuroscience Complex dynamics Manifold Slow waves Spatiotemporal Psychedelic neuroscience Brain dynamics Consciousness research
Citations 10
Key findings 5-MeO-DMT radically reorganizes low-frequency neural flows, making them heterogeneous, viscous, and nonrecurring, and increases the stability and low-dimensional behavior of broadband activity.

Abstract

5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a psychedelic drug known for its uniquely profound effects on consciousness; however, it remains unknown how it affects the brain. We collected electroencephalography (EEG) data of 29 healthy individuals before and after inhaling a high dose (12-mg) of vaporized synthetic 5-MeO-DMT. We replicate results from rodents showing amplified low-frequency oscillations but extend these findings by characterizing the complex organization of spatiotemporal fields of neural activity. We find that 5-MeO-DMT radically reorganizes low-frequency flows, causing them to become heterogeneous, viscous, and nonrecurring and to cease their travel forward and backward across the cortex. Further, we find a consequence of this reorganization in broadband activity, which exhibits more stable low-dimensional behavior with increased energy barriers for rapid global shifts. These findings provide a detailed empirical account of how 5-MeO-DMT sculpts human brain dynamics, revealing a set of atypical cortical slow-wave behaviors with significant implications for neuroscientific models of serotonergic psychedelics.

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 12

and 7 more in the library

Cites 43

and 38 more in the library

Related reading

Explore topics

5-MeO-DMT DMT Serotonin