A study from the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London has shown that extended DMT IV infusions are safe and well tolerated.
There has been a sharp rise in research into psychedelic compounds such as DMT for mental health conditions, however, this study aimed to uncover the effects of DMT on the body.
Investigating the psychological and physiological effects of extended DMT infusions, the study has been published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.
The single-blind, placebo-controlled study utilised a novel method of DMT administration which took the form of a bolus injection paired with a constant-rate infusion – providing more precise control over dosing.
DMT is a short-acting but intense psychedelic, with experiences lasting around five to 20 minutes. The study’s extended administration of DMT intended to prolong the DMT experience over 30 minutes.
The authors suggest that the development of a prolonged DMT experience “would be an important step towards allowing for a closer study of its phenomenology and neurobiological effects, and would make it possible to control the length, intensity, and dynamics of the DMT experience, with the potential for real-time adjustment.”
They write: “This could make extended DMT a valuable tool in conjunction with therapy, to tailor the psychedelic effects to the individual needs of each patient and their clinical condition, as well as for consciousness research, whereby the intensity of the DMT experience can be adjusted according to specific hypotheses and research questions.”
A total of 11 healthy volunteers were administered different doses of bolus plus slow-rate infusions of DMT over 30 minutes, with dosing sessions separated by two weeks or more. During dosing sessions, participants underwent blood tests, EEG measurements and interviews.
The finding showed that subjective effects from DMT administration began after one minute following injection, with a peak at two minutes then settling down until resolving around 20 minutes following the end of the administration.
The authors say that the findings demonstrate that the method is effective for safely extending the DMT experience, and that “subjective effects were maintained over the period of active infusion, anxiety ratings remained low and heart rate habituated within 15 minutes”, showing that extended DMT administration is both psychologically and physiologically safe.
The authors write: “…these findings demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of continuous IV DMT administration, laying the groundwork for the further development of this method of administration for basic and clinical research.”
To read the full, open access study click here.
