Neural Effects of Intravenous N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT)

Conditions

• Healthy Participants Study

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

ALL

Age

18 Years - 65 Years

Healthy Volunteers

Accepted

Interventions

• N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (15 mg) — DRUG
  Participants will receive one "low" dose (15 mg for 1 min + 1.5 mg/min for 59 min) of synthetic DMT (hemifumarate) via IV injection.
• N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (17.5 mg) — DRUG
  Participants will receive one "medium" dose (17.5 mg for 1 min + 1.75 mg/min for 59 min) of synthetic DMT (hemifumarate) via IV injection.

Study Details

This study examines how the psychedelic substance DMT affects the human brain when administered by the intravenous (IV) route. DMT is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that is thought to help improve mood when ingested in a continuously monitored medical setting. Previous research has shown that a single IV injection of DMT can be given safely, but its effects, which include changes in perception, emotions, and thinking, usually wear off within 15-20 minutes. To better understand what happens when DMT's effects last longer, researchers have developed a method to give DMT slowly and continuously through an IV, which safely extends its effects for up to an hour or more. In this study, healthy volunteers who have prior experience using DMT will receive low and medium doses of DMT in this extended manner through an IV for 1 hour while undergoing a brain scanning technique known as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). These scans allow researchers to see changes in brain activity and blood flow in real time. Participants will complete psychological assessments before and after receiving DMT, and additional brain scans without DMT will be used for comparison. The researchers will also use advanced computer techniques to help identify brain patterns linked to the visual experiences people report during DMT. Overall, the goal of the study is to better understand how DMT affects the brain during an extended experience and to learn more about the biological processes behind its psychological effects.

Key Dates

First listed

Jul 9, 2026

Start date

Sep 1, 2026

Status verified

Jul 2026

Primary completion

Sep 1, 2028

Completion

Sep 1, 2029

Study Design

Enrollment

20 participants (estimated)

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

CROSSOVER

Primary purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Arms

• Experimental: DMT hemifumarate "low" dose
  Participants will be randomized to receive, in a double-blinded, counter-balanced, and crossover design, two doses of IV DMT during fMRI scanning delivered within two weeks apart under the care of a study physician.
• Experimental: DMT hemifumarate "medium" dose
  Participants will be randomized to receive, in a double-blinded, counter-balanced, and crossover design, two doses of IV DMT during fMRI scanning delivered within two weeks apart under the care of a study physician.

Primary Outcome Measure

fMRI - Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) Signaling [ Time Frame: Up to 3 months: Assessed at baseline fMRI (Visit 2) and dosing fMRI (Visits 6, 8). ]

Central Contacts

• Yasmeen Esshaki
  619-786-0375
  [email protected]

Locations (1)

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