The psychedelic DMT reduces depression symptoms after just one dose

DMT Breakthrough: One Dose of Psychedelic Drug Shows Rapid and Lasting Relief for Depression in Groundbreaking Study

In a landmark development that could reshape the future of mental health treatment, a single dose of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in rapidly alleviating depression symptoms—with effects lasting for months.

The psychedelic compound, found naturally in numerous plants worldwide and long classified as having “no medical use” under international law, is now emerging as a potential game-changer for people suffering from treatment-resistant depression.

Revolutionary Results from Imperial College London

Researchers at Imperial College London conducted a rigorous clinical trial involving 34 adults who had battled moderate to severe depression for an average of 10 years. All participants had previously tried at least two conventional treatments without success—placing them in the notoriously difficult category of treatment-resistant depression.

Half the participants received a 21.5-microgram intravenous dose of DMT over 10 minutes, while the other half received a placebo infusion. The results were striking: two weeks after treatment, the DMT group showed depression-rating scores that were 7.4 points lower on average compared to the placebo group. Critically, these improvements weren’t fleeting—they persisted for at least three months, with some participants maintaining benefits for up to six months.

“The implications are profound,” explains lead researcher Dr. David Erritzoe. “We’ve demonstrated that a single DMT experience, lasting only about 25 minutes, can be safe, well-tolerated, and associated with meaningful, sustained improvements in depression.”

Mystical Experiences Correlate with Therapeutic Benefits

Perhaps most intriguingly, the intensity of mystical-type experiences reported by participants correlated strongly with their degree of improvement. About 25 minutes after receiving DMT, participants who reported profound feelings of unity, positive emotional shifts, altered perceptions of time and space, and experiences so profound they were difficult to describe showed the most significant therapeutic benefits.

This connection between mystical experiences and mental health improvement aligns with growing evidence that psychedelics may work by temporarily increasing neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new neural connections. Some researchers also suggest psychedelics may reduce inflammation associated with poor mental health outcomes.

Safety Profile and Practical Advantages

The study found DMT to be remarkably safe, with side effects limited to mild, temporary anxiety, nausea, and pain at the infusion site. This favorable safety profile, combined with the drug’s extremely short duration of action (25 minutes versus several hours for other psychedelics like psilocybin), could make DMT-based treatments more practical and cost-effective than alternatives.

“The brevity of the DMT experience is a significant advantage,” notes Dr. Erritzoe. “Shorter psychedelic sessions could reduce treatment costs and make the therapy more accessible to a broader range of patients.”

Building on a Growing Body of Evidence

This research builds upon earlier studies and comes as the field of psychedelic medicine rapidly advances. A similar molecule, 5-MeO-DMT, is already in advanced testing stages for depression treatment. AtaiBeckley, a New York-based firm, recently announced promising results with their candidate for treatment-resistant depression, potentially accelerating US regulatory approval.

However, researchers caution that the unblinded nature of psychedelic studies—where participants can typically tell whether they received the active drug—means some benefits may stem from expectation effects alongside the pharmacological action.

Expert Perspectives and Future Directions

Rick Strassman, a pioneering researcher in the field, emphasizes both the promise and the need for caution. “While the DMT experience is briefer than psilocybin and LSD, it can be significantly more disorienting than longer-acting psychedelics and requires careful preparation, monitoring, and follow-up.”

The Imperial College team’s findings are already informing the development of HLP004, a modified form of DMT being tested for anxiety by Helus Pharma. As regulatory frameworks evolve and more clinical data accumulates, DMT and related compounds may soon transition from controlled substances to legitimate medical treatments.

For the millions worldwide suffering from depression—particularly those who haven’t responded to conventional therapies—this research offers a glimmer of hope that relief might come not from years of medication or therapy, but from a single, carefully administered psychedelic experience.

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