5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety

Mar 2, 2019The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse

5-MeO-DMT use in group settings may be linked to unexpected improvements in depression and anxiety

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Abstract

Of the 362 respondents, 80% reported improvement in depression and 79% in anxiety following 5-MeO-DMT use.

Among those diagnosed with depression, 41% experienced improvement after using 5-MeO-DMT.
For respondents with anxiety, 48% reported similar improvements post-use.
Most participants indicated they were unchanged or worsened in their conditions after use, with only 17% reporting no change in depression and 19% in anxiety.
Greater intensity of mystical experiences was linked to improvements in both depression and anxiety.
No relationship was found between the improvement in these conditions and experiencing challenging physical or psychological effects during the experience.

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BACKGROUND: A recent epidemiological study suggested that 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used for spiritual and recreational reasons is associated with subjective improvement in depression and anxiety. Further exploration of the potential psychotherapeutic effects of 5-MeO-DMT could inform future clinical trials.

OBJECTIVES: We examined self-reported improvement in depression and anxiety among people who use 5-MeO-DMT in a group setting with structured procedures guiding dose and administration of 5-MeO-DMT. Such procedures also include activities for the preparation of, and support during/following sessions, which are similar to procedures used in clinical trials of hallucinogen administration. Next, we examined whether depression or anxiety were improved following use, and whether the acute subjective effects (mystical/challenging) or beliefs about the 5-MeO-DMT experience were associated with improvements in these conditions.

METHODS: Respondents (n = 362; M = 47.7; Male = 55%; White/Caucasian = 84%) completed an anonymous web-based survey. age

RESULTS: Of those reporting having been diagnosed with depression (41%) or anxiety (48%), most reported these conditions were improved (depression = 80%; anxiety = 79%) following 5-MeO-DMT use, and fewer reported they were unchanged (depression = 17%; anxiety = 19%) or worsened (depression = 3%; anxiety = 2%). Improvement in depression/anxiety conditions were associated with greater intensity of mystical experiences and higher ratings of the spiritual significance and personal meaning of the 5-MeO-DMT experience. There were no associations between depression or anxiety improvement and the intensity of acute challenging physical/psychological effects during the 5-MeO-DMT experience.

CONCLUSIONS: Future prospective controlled clinical pharmacology studies should examine the safety and efficacy of 5-MeO-DMT administration for relieving depression and anxiety.

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5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety

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