The epidemiology of 5-methoxy- N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) use: Benefits, consequences, patterns of use, subjective effects, and reasons for consumption
In an online survey of 515 respondents, 5‑MeO‑DMT was used infrequently and primarily for spiritual exploration, producing strong self‑reported mystical-type experiences with relatively few challenging effects and low indicators of addiction or adverse legal/medical outcomes. Many users with psychiatric diagnoses reported self‑perceived improvements (e.g. PTSD, depression, anxiety), suggesting potential psychotherapeutic effects that warrant rigorous human safety and pharmacokinetic studies.
Authors
- Alan Davis
- Rafaelle Lancelotta
- Joseph Barsuglia
Published
Abstract
Background/aim: 5-Methoxy- N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a psychoactive compound found in several plants and in high concentrations in Bufo alvarius toad venom. Synthetic, toad, and plant-sourced 5-MeO-DMT are used for spiritual and recreational purposes and may have psychotherapeutic effects. However, the use of 5-MeO-DMT is not well understood. Therefore, we examined patterns of use, motivations for consumption, subjective effects, and potential benefits and consequences associated with 5-MeO-DMT use.
Methods: Using internet-based advertisements, 515 respondents ( Mage=35.4. SD=11.7; male=79%; White/Caucasian=86%; United States resident=42%) completed a web-based survey.
Results: Most respondents consumed 5-MeO-DMT infrequently (<once/year), for spiritual exploration, and had used less than four times in their lifetime. The majority (average of 90%) reported moderate-to-strong mystical-type experiences ( Mintensity=3.64, SD=1.11; range 0–5; e.g., ineffability, timelessness, awe/amazement, experience of pure being/awareness), and relatively fewer (average of 37%) experienced very slight challenging experiences ( Mintensity=0.95, SD=0.91; range 0–5; e.g., anxiousness, fear). Less than half (39%) reported repeated consumption during the same session, and very few reported drug craving/desire (8%), or legal (1%), medical (1%), or psychiatric (1%) problems related to use. Furthermore, of those who reported being diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, the majority reported improvements in symptoms following 5-MeO-DMT use, including improvements related to post-traumatic stress disorder (79%), depression (77%), anxiety (69%), and alcoholism (66%) or drug use disorder (60%).
Conclusion: Findings suggest that 5-MeO-DMT is used infrequently, predominantly for spiritual exploration, has low potential for addiction, and might have psychotherapeutic effects. Future research should examine the safety and pharmacokinetics of 5-MeO-DMT administration in humans using rigorous experimental designs.
Research Summary of 'The epidemiology of 5-methoxy- N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) use: Benefits, consequences, patterns of use, subjective effects, and reasons for consumption'
Introduction
5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a naturally occurring, fast-acting indolealkylamine found in several plants and in particularly high concentrations in Bufo alvarius toad venom. Earlier pharmacological work and case reports indicate that 5-MeO-DMT acts as a serotonergic agonist (notably at 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors), produces intense but short-lived perceptual and emotional effects, and has been used in spiritual and recreational contexts; nevertheless, prevalence, patterns of use, subjective effects, and potential harms or therapeutic benefits are poorly characterised because most national surveys do not query this substance specifically. Legal restrictions (for example, Schedule I status in the USA) further complicate systematic study, and available information has largely been limited to self-experiments, anecdotal reports, and animal data. Davis and colleagues set out to fill that gap by conducting an epidemiological survey of English-speaking adults who have used 5-MeO-DMT at least once. The primary aim was to describe patterns of use, motivations, and subjective effects; secondary aims were to document perceived changes in medical and psychiatric functioning following use, and to compare patterns and effects across reported source types (synthetic, toad venom, and plant extracts/yopo). The investigators framed the study as an initial descriptive effort to inform safety understanding and guide future clinical research.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compound
- Topics
- Authors
- APA Citation
Davis, A. K., Barsuglia, J. P., Lancelotta, R., Grant, R. M., & Renn, E. (2018). The epidemiology of 5-methoxy- N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) use: Benefits, consequences, patterns of use, subjective effects, and reasons for consumption. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 32(7), 779-792. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881118769063
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