Source: Fox News
Summary
A new study led by researchers at Imperial College London found that a single dose of the psychedelic dimethyltryptamine (DMT) significantly reduced symptoms in people with major depressive disorder. The clinical trial involved 34 patients with moderate to severe depression who received either a 21.5 mg dose of DMT or a placebo. Two weeks after the initial dose, the DMT group showed less severity of symptoms compared to the placebo group, and some participants reported that the antidepressant effects were still present six months later.
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The advice sounds familiar. Psychedelics have been studied for their potential therapeutic benefits for depression, and this new study adds to the growing body of evidence. DMT, a naturally occurring psychedelic, has been found to produce brief and intense hallucinations and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The study’s lead author, David Erritzoe, notes that larger trials are required as next steps, and it’s currently difficult to access DMT treatments outside of trials.
The study’s findings are not surprising, given the growing interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health disorders. However, it’s worth noting that the study had limitations, including a lack of ethnic diversity and the exclusion of participants with a history of serious suicide attempts. Additionally, the researchers noted that DMT’s efficacy seems to be dependent on the intensity of the actual psychedelic experience it generates, which varies from person to person.
Author: Evan Null
