A Physician’s Attempt to Self-Medicate Bipolar Depression with N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
This article (2017) presents a case study of a physician who attempted to self-medicate with DMT in order to treat their bipolar depression (BD). However, the paper goes beyond the case study to discuss DMT in general terms, as well.
Authors
- Brown, T.
- Shao, W.
- Ayub, S.
Published
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a psychoactive substance that has been gaining popularity in therapeutic and recreational use. This is a case of a physician who chronically took DMT augmented with phenelzine in an attempt to self-medicate refractory bipolar depression. His presentation of altered mental status, mania, and psychosis is examined in regards to his DMT use. This case discusses DMT, the possible uses of DMT, and the theorized mechanism of DMT in psychosis and treatment of depression, particularly involving its agonist activity at 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2C. It is also important to recognize the dangers of self-medication, particularly amongst physicians.
Research Summary of 'A Physician’s Attempt to Self-Medicate Bipolar Depression with N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)'
Introduction
DMT (N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is a naturally occurring psychoactive compound found in plants such as Psychotria viridis and is a primary active ingredient in the South American brew ayahuasca. Recent years have seen renewed interest in DMT's potential antidepressant effects and a rise in recreational and therapeutic use, including travel to spiritual retreats. Population survey data cited in the extracted text indicate a relatively high proportion of new users (24%) and a lifetime prevalence of 8.9% for DMT, but the neuropsychiatric effects of chronic use and its utility in treating depression remain speculative and incompletely characterised. Brown and colleagues present a single-patient case report describing a retired 40-year-old psychiatrist with bipolar I disorder who chronically self-administered vaporised DMT, later combined with the monoamine oxidase inhibitor phenelzine, in an attempt to treat refractory depression. The report aims to document his acute presentation of altered mental status, mania, and psychosis, to explore possible mechanisms linking DMT to these neuropsychiatric manifestations, and to highlight the hazards of self-medication, particularly among physicians.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compound
- Topics
- APA Citation
Brown, T., Shao, W., Ayub, S., Chong, D., & Cornelius, C. (2017). A Physician’s Attempt to Self-Medicate Bipolar Depression with N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 49(4), 294-296. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2017.1344898
References (10)
Papers cited by this study that are also in Blossom
Osório, F. L., Sanches, R. F., Macedo, L. et al. · brazilian Journal of Psychiatry (2015)
Domínguez-Clavé, E., Soler, J., Elices, M. et al. · Brain Research Bulletin (2016)
Dos Santos, R. G., Hallak, J. E., Bouso, J. C. · Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology (2017)
Dos Santos, R. G., Osório, F. L., Crippa, J. A. et al. · brazilian Journal of Psychiatry (2016)
Liester, M. B., Prickett, J. I. · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (2012)
Riba, J., Mcilhenny, E. H., Valle, M. et al. · Drug Testing and Analysis (2012)
Sanches, R. F., Osório, F. L., Dos Santos, R. G. et al. · Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology (2016)
Szmulewicz, A. G., Valerio, M. P., Smith, J. M. · International Journal of Bipolar Disorders (2015)
Valle, M., Maqueda, A. E., Rabella, M. et al. · European Neuropsychopharmacology (2016)
Winstock, A. R., Kaar, S., Borschmann, R. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2013)
Cited By (5)
Papers in Blossom that reference this study
DellaCrosse, M., Pleet, M. M., Morton, E. et al. · PLOS ONE (2022)
Dursun, S. M., Kelly, J. R., Gillan, C. M. et al. · Frontiers in Psychiatry (2021)
Corrigan, K., Haran, M., Mccandliss, C. et al. · Irish Journal of Medical Science (2021)
Gard, D. E., Pleet, M. M., Bradley, E. R. et al. · Journal of Affective Disorders (2021)
Nichols, D. E., Walter, H. · Pharmacopsychiatry (2020)
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