Just one dose of DMT may ease depression

A small double-blind trial of 34 adults found a single intravenous dose of DMT given with psychotherapy reduced depressive symptoms compared with placebo, with effects reported through three months; the study found no clear additional benefit from a second dose.

Researchers report a small double-blind trial testing intravenous dimethyltryptamine (DMT) together with psychotherapy in adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The study, published in Nature Medicine, randomly assigned 34 participants to receive DMT or a placebo alongside standard psychological support. Those who received DMT showed earlier and greater reductions in depressive symptoms than the placebo group, and some participants reported benefits lasting three to six months. The trial did not find a clear added benefit from administering a second DMT dose. Key findings: - The trial enrolled 34 adults, with 17 receiving DMT and 17 receiving placebo; all participants also received psychotherapy and follow-up sessions. - The average participant age was 33; 70% were men, about 88% were white, and participants had lived with major depressive disorder for an average of 10.5 years. - Researchers reported an average reduction on the MADRS depression scale of about seven points at two weeks in the DMT group, with some improvement noted after one week. - By three months, participants who received DMT had fewer depressive symptoms than those given placebo, and some individuals reported ongoing benefit up to six months; overall remission at three months was reported for 47% of participants across both groups. - Reported side effects were generally mild and included infusion site pain, nausea and short-lived anxiety. Summary: The trial indicates that a single intravenous DMT dose paired with psychotherapy produced rapid symptom reductions for some participants, though the number of people studied was small and the results are preliminary. The authors note that more research is needed to confirm these findings and to better understand safety and longer-term effects. Undetermined at this time.