Abstract

Introduction

DMT is a psychedelic that induces changes in consciousness which in intensity surpass most other categories of psychoactive drugs. Users consistently experience vivid visual imagery accompanying what is frequently described as a sense of “breaking through” into another world or dimension. These experiences are often deemed profound and have the potential to challenge beliefs about the nature of reality and consciousness. DMT has overwhelmingly rapid, short‐acting effects: when administered intravenously through a bolus injection, subjective and physical effects peak within two minutes of administration and quickly subside thereafter, fully resolving after 20‐30 minutes.
Repeated psychedelic doses of IV bolus DMT injections have been found not to produce any psychological tolerance. This plus the short time‐course of its action makes DMT unique among classic serotonergic psychedelics, and suitable for continuous IV administration.

Methods

In a single‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot study, up to 4 different doses of bolus + slow‐rate IV infusions of DMT over 30 minutes will be administered to each of 6 healthy participants. Time‐series blood sampling data will be collected to model the
pharmacokinetic effects of these extended infusions of DMT. Resting‐state brain activity will be measured using high‐density EEG, and subjective effects will be assessed through real‐time experience sampling.
This poster will present the methodology of this pilot study.

Results

The pilot study will be completed in July 2021. Preliminary results will be discussed.

Discussion

A successful application of a continuous IV infusion of DMT may address a number of research questions. Using this method, it will be possible to maintain individuals at chosen, stable levels of DMT intoxication. It may further be possible to gradually move individuals into greater levels of immersion than what has previously been possible with IV bolus injections. Both possibilities could potentially aid the phenomenological analysis of the unique DMT state. Studies of the neurobiology of DMT and the psychedelic state could also benefit from this methodology, as neuroimaging techniques usually require high‐quality data gathered over extended periods of time. Finally, as clinical psychedelic drug research is expanding and demonstrating the benefits of psychedelic drug‐assisted psychotherapy, there are potential clinical applications of a continuous IV infusion of DMT. Compared to the substantially longer effects of other psychedelic substances, DMT offers more discrete and therefore more easily manageable experiences. In conjunction with continuous target‐controlled infusions, the DMT experience could be “titrated” both in terms of duration and intensity, adjusting these levels to accommodate the specific needs of different individuals and indications.