Enhancing mindfulness and compassion through an ayahuasca-inspired formulation containing N,N-DMT and harmine: A randomized controlled trial in healthy subjects
In a randomised, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled within‑subjects trial in 31 healthy volunteers, an ayahuasca‑inspired N,N‑DMT plus harmine formulation produced acute increases in mindfulness and both self‑ and other‑directed compassion one day after dosing compared with harmine or placebo, with larger effects in high‑sensitivity individuals. These findings suggest the formulation may have therapeutic potential similar to traditional ayahuasca and warrant further clinical investigation.
Authors
- Milan Scheidegger
- Dominik Dornbierer
- Anne Aicher
Published
Abstract
Background
Mindfulness and compassion are therapeutically relevant and can be increased through different forms of meditation practices. However, meditation practice needs time and commitment. These resources are often limited in patients with mood disorders. Therefore, efficacious remedies that increase mindfulness and compassion could provide therapeutic options. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between psychedelic experiences induced by an ayahuasca-inspired N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT)/harmine formulation on mindfulness and compassion in healthy subjects.
Methods
This study applies a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled within-subjects design in a laboratory setting with 31 healthy participants. Each subject received a formulation comprising DMT + harmine, harmine + placebo, and placebo only on three different study days. Primary outcomes were mindfulness (MINDSENS) and compassion (SOCS).
Results
A significant effect of the drug on mindfulness ( p < 0.05, F = 3.41), self-compassion (SOCS-S; p < 0.01, F = 7.53), and compassion with others (SOCS-O; p < 0.05, F = 3.37) 1 day post-treatment was found. Significant differences between the high- and low-sensitivity groups were found for mindfulness ( p < 0.05, F = 6.54), self-compassion ( p < 0.05, F = 4.21), and compassion with others ( p < 0.05, F = 4.42).
Conclusions
In line with previous studies on traditional botanical ayahuasca, our findings support the notion that the DMT/harmine formulation might have therapeutic potential through its ability to acutely enhance mindfulness and compassion. Continuing studies in therapeutic settings are needed to further elucidate the mechanisms of action of ayahuasca-inspired formulations.
Research Summary of 'Enhancing mindfulness and compassion through an ayahuasca-inspired formulation containing N,N-DMT and harmine: A randomized controlled trial in healthy subjects'
Introduction
Aicher and colleagues frame the study against evidence that mindfulness and compassion training improve psychological well-being but require time and practice that some patients with mood disorders cannot sustain. Previous studies report that serotonergic psychedelics and traditional ayahuasca can rapidly improve mood and increase mindfulness-related capacities and prosocial behaviour; however, the mechanisms by which ayahuasca's principal components—N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) together with MAO-A inhibiting beta-carbolines such as harmine—affect mindfulness and compassion remain unclear. This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled within-subject trial tested whether an ayahuasca-inspired formulation combining intranasal DMT with sublingual/orodispersible harmine (DMT/HAR) acutely increases mindfulness (MINDSENS Composite Index, MCI) and compassion (Self and Others Compassion Scales, SOCS-S and SOCS-O) in healthy volunteers, compared with harmine alone (HAR) and placebo (PLA). The authors hypothesised greater increases in mindfulness and compassion after DMT/HAR than after HAR or PLA, and stronger effects in participants classified as high versus low sensitivity to the drug.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compounds
- Topics
- Authors
- APA Citation
Aicher, H. D., Wicki, I. A., Meling, D., Mueller, M. J., Dornbierer, D. A., & Scheidegger, M. (2025). Enhancing mindfulness and compassion through an ayahuasca-inspired formulation containing N,N-DMT and harmine: A randomized controlled trial in healthy subjects. Journal of Psychopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811251344689
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