2-Minute Neuroscience: DMT

DMT is naturally produced in a variety of plants and animals (including humans) and is also a potent psychoactive drug known for its ability to cause intense hallucinations and psychedelic experiences. In this video, I discuss how DMT might act in the brain to produce its unique effects.

TRANSCRIPT:
DMT is a substance that’s produced naturally in a variety of plants and animals, including humans. The functions of naturally-produced DMT are unclear, but DMT is also a potent psychoactive drug known for its ability to produce intense but relatively short-lived hallucinations and psychedelic experiences. When used recreationally, DMT is typically smoked, but it’s also the main psychoactive ingredient in ayahuasca, a brewed drink that produces longer-lasting psychedelic effects. Although orally administered DMT is rapidly degraded by an enzyme called monoamine oxidase, ayahuasca is brewed with plants that contain inhibitors of this enzyme, enabling the DMT in ayahuasca to remain active even though it’s administered orally.

The pharmacology of DMT is not well understood. The drug has actions at a variety of receptors in the nervous system, but its best characterized effects are its ability to stimulate a wide range of serotonin receptor subtypes. Studies suggest that DMT’s action at the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor is especially important for producing its characteristically intense visual hallucinations. At the same time, stimulation of the 5-HT2A receptor alone does not seem to be sufficient to cause the hallucinations experienced by DMT users. Thus, it’s thought that other serotonin receptor subtypes might be involved in these effects, and some evidence suggests that receptors for the neurotransmitter glutamate may play a role as well. It’s also possible that DMT’s actions at other receptors, such as sigma-1 receptors and trace amine-associated receptors, may contribute to the drug’s effects, but more research is needed to elucidate DMT’s full mechanism of action.

DMT, like many other psychedelic drugs, is now gaining attention for its therapeutic potential. Studies with ayahuasca have found the drink to have beneficial effects in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and addiction, and studies are currently underway to investigate the possibility of DMT alone offering some of the same benefits.

REFERENCES:

Cameron LP, Olson DE. Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT). ACS Chem Neurosci. 2018 Oct 17;9(10):2344-2357. doi: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00101. Epub 2018 Jul 23. PMID: 30036036.

CREDITS:

[Mellow_Flow]

Calling the effects of DMT “hallucinations” is an understatement

[emredemir]

I still can't understand why DMT produce that much intense effect on humans, obviously current literature can't explain it. There are lots of immersive stories about DMT and it makes me so interested about this molecule.

[AleX-fsww]

DMT is incredible. No amount of preparation could’ve prepared me for what I experienced after smoking DMT.

[teehee]

Changa (DMT) is absolutely the most intense substance I have ever tried. Life changing. Great video.

[blaiseandthebambina]

2-Minute Neuroscience but my dumb ass has to watch it 10 times to understand the topic! 😂 Thank you for your videos!

[thorb]

I recently got a book on amazon called "Light on dmt: A Beginner's handbook"... really amazing stuff

[eggheadusa]

Sucks that bots ruin the discourse.

Every comment is rampant on any video talking about psychedelics

[aamirrazak]

Thanks for posting this! I learn something new whenever I watch your videos! That’s interesting that DMT may have some health benefit

[AlopexArctos]

I want to know more about dmt's everyday function in the brain. Any sources?

[figrollin]

I'd love to see you cover GABA; the pams, the agonists, the subunits etc

[EarningLifetimeshyerBazer]

How is the DMT drug made?‌ who is the study of medical science experiment

[JohnStone-ldpt]

Has anyone experienced not being able to feel DMT?

[oldlifter]

At a time when science is exploring the impact of light eg.. the loss of infrared in lighting, impact of lack of exposure to sunlight and the increased use of media devices on mental health. Perhaps getting out to watch the sunrise and sunset, reintroducing infrared and ultra violet to LEDs, and putting a blue light filter on media devices. May be a lower risk positive impact on mental health ? Investigation of the properties of DMT is very important but medication is always used incorrectly by someone.

[aaronp]

I’m not a stranger of psychedelics done mushrooms about a dozen times, Acid a few times, salvia half a dozen times… Still have tried DMT though before and been thinkin i should at Least once…Is it as life changing as people Say it is?

[itaygev]

I'M ADDICTED TO YOUR VIDDEOSSSS! Thanks for sharing information in a simplistic way. (please pin <3)

[WhoThisMonkey]

I recommend untapping your own DMT through regular meditative breathing sessions.

Because after you do DMT that experience will never be the same again.

[Throatpuncher]

I have never tried DMT in my life, but I have been thinking about it. I'm seriously tempted to just go full send. Like as many rips as I can before I'm immobile. What's the worst that could happen? Wouldn't it be beneficial to get the worst part over with first? Plus I imagine it would be one hell of a funny story to tell.

[HT.]

pretty sure it acts on MDMA receptors as well

[SingularityFe]

No, not really. I had a couple people in my life do it and they were never the same.

[fettuccinerecords]

DMT created by breathing exercises is best