Chronic, Intermittent Microdoses of the Psychedelic N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Produce Positive Effects on Mood and Anxiety in Rodents

This animal study (n=35) investigated the effects of microdosing DMT (1mg/kg) in rats and found that a chronic (∼2 months), intermittent (every third day) microdosing regimen facilitated fear extinction learning and reduced depressive immobility in the forced swim test without producing the anxiety-like effects characteristic of a high dose.

Abstract of Chronic, Intermittent Microdoses of DMT Produce Positive Effects on Mood and Anxiety in Rodents

“Introduction: Drugs capable of ameliorating symptoms of depression and anxiety while also improving cognitive function and sociability are highly desirable. Anecdotal reports have suggested that serotonergic psychedelics administered in low doses on a chronic, intermittent schedule, so-called “microdosing”, might produce beneficial effects on mood, anxiety, cognition, and social interaction.

Methods: Here, we test this hypothesis by subjecting male and female Sprague Dawley rats to behavioral testing following the chronic, intermittent administration of low doses of the psychedelic N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT).

Results: The behavioral and cellular effects of this dosing regimen were distinct from those induced following a single high dose of the drug. We found that chronic, intermittent, low doses of DMT produced an antidepressant-like phenotype and enhanced fear extinction learning without impacting working memory or social interaction. Additionally, male rats treated with DMT on this schedule gained a significant amount of body weight during the course of the study.

Discussion: Taken together, our results suggest that psychedelic microdosing may alleviate symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders, though the potential hazards of this practice warrant further investigation.”

Authors: Lindsay P. Cameron, Charlie J. Benson, Brian C. DeFelice, Oliver Fiehn & David E. Olson

Summary of Chronic, Intermittent Microdoses of DMT Produce Positive Effects on Mood and Anxiety in Rodents

Mood and anxiety disorders are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, and current treatment strategies are slow-acting and ineffective.

Psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, and DMT have a long history of use as experimental therapeutics, but it is unclear whether hallucinogenic doses are required for them to produce therapeutic effects. Psychedelic microdosing is rapidly gaining popularity.

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Chronic, Intermittent Microdoses of the Psychedelic N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Produce Positive Effects on Mood and Anxiety in Rodents

https://doi.org/10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00692

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Cite this paper (APA)

Cameron, L. P., Benson, C. J., DeFelice, B. C., Fiehn, O., & Olson, D. E. (2019). Chronic, intermittent microdoses of the psychedelic N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) produce positive effects on mood and anxiety in rodents. ACS chemical neuroscience, 10(7), 3261-3270.

Study details

Compounds studied
DMT

Topics studied
Anxiety Microdosing Depression

Study characteristics
Animal Study

Participants
35 Rodents

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