Increased functional connectivity between brain regions involved in social cognition, emotion and affective-value in psychedelic states induced by N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT).
Carla Soares, Gisela Lima, Marta Lapo Pais, Marta Teixeira, Célia Cabral, Miguel Castelo-Branco
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2024 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1454628 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Within-subject pharmacoimaging study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 11 |
| Population | Healthy experienced users |
| Intervention | N |
| Topics | DMT 5-MeO-DMT |
| Keywords | Neuroscience brain science Neural studies Neurology Social understanding Empathy Emotional intelligence Psychoactive substances N,N-Dimethyltryptamine DMT FMRI Functional connectivity Pharmacoimaging Social cognition Psychedelics hallucinogens Entheogens |
| Citations | 13 |
| Key points | DMT increased functional connectivity between the supramarginal gyrus and regions including the precuneus, posterior cingulate gyrus, amygdala, and orbitofrontal cortex, and between the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex. |
Abstract
The modulation of social cognition is suggested as a possible mechanism contributing to the potential clinical efficacy of psychedelics in disorders involving socio-emotional and reward processing deficits. Resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rs-fMRI) can be used to detect changes in brain connectivity during psychedelic-induced states. Thus, this pharmacoimaging study investigates the effects of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) on functional connectivity in brain areas relevant to social cognition, using a within-subject design in eleven healthy experienced users. The study included both an active and a control condition, conducted at different time points. The active condition involved DMT inhalation, while the control condition did not. Seed-based connectivity was measured for the two core regions involved in theory of mind and emotional processing, respectively, the posterior supramarginal gyrus and the amygdala. DMT increased supramarginal gyrus connectivity with the precuneus, posterior cingulate gyrus, amygdala, and orbitofrontal cortex. Additionally, increased connectivity emerged between the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex. These results demonstrate that DMT modulates brain connectivity in socio-emotional and affective-value circuits, advancing our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying the psychedelic experience and its potential therapeutic action.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on 5-MeO-DMT, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short term changes in the proteome of human cerebral organoids induced by 5-MeO-DMT. Human cerebral organoids | 2017 | Experimental study | |
| Bufo alvarius: a potent hallucinogen of animal origin. Bufo alvarius toad venom | 1994 | Experimental study | |
| Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment Volunteers | 2019 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 11 |
| Unmasking of a neonatal somatovesical reflex in adult cats by the serotonin autoreceptor agonist 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine. Adult cats | 1990 | Experimental study | n = 10 |
| Studies on the Mechanism of Action of Monoamine Oxidase: Metabolism of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine and N,N-Dimethyltryptamine-N-Oxide | 1962 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Psychedelic experiences elicited by serotonergic psychedelics: Molecular mechanisms and functional connectivity changes in the brain Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews December 16, 2025
- Meditation, psychedelics, and brain connectivity: A randomized controlled resting-state fMRI study of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmine in a meditation retreat. Imaging Neuroscience September 29, 2025
- The intersection between psychedelics and schizophrenia spectrum disorders: Reevaluating risk and therapeutic potential. Journal of Psychopharmacology June 25, 2026
- Serotonergic psychedelics for Autism spectrum disorder: Neurobiological mechanisms and translational prospects. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry June 20, 2026
- N,N‐Dimethyltryptamine ( DMT ) Acutely Exposed to Mouse Ventral Tegmental Area I h ‐Negative Neurons Alters the Firing Rate and Conductance in a Sex‐Dependent Manner Journal of Neurochemistry May 1, 2026
and 5 more in the library
Cites 30
- Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial Psychological Medicine June 15, 2018
- Increased Global Functional Connectivity Correlates with LSD-Induced Ego Dissolution. Current Biology April 13, 2016
- The default mode network and social understanding of others: what do brain connectivity studies tell us Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2014
- Dose-Response Study of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine in Humans Archives of General Psychiatry February 1, 1994
- Psychedelics reopen the social reward learning critical period Nature June 14, 2023
and 25 more in the library