This re-analysis of a single-blind study (n=17) investigates the role of the autonomic nervous system in DMT-induced peak experiences (20mg, iv). It finds that balanced activity between the “fight-or-flight” and “rest-and-digest” systems (sympathovagal coactivation) is linked to stronger feelings of spirituality and insight during DMT sessions and improved well-being two weeks later. The study also notes that a person’s nervous system (sympathovagal) balance before taking DMT can predict how insightful their experience will be.
Abstract of Autonomic nervous system activity correlates with peak experiences induced by DMT and predicts increases in well-being
“Background: Non-ordinary states of consciousness induced by psychedelics can be accompanied by so-called “peak experiences,” characterized at the emotional level by their intensity and positive valence. These experiences are strong predictors of positive outcomes following psychedelic-assisted therapy, and it is therefore important to better understand their biology. Despite growing evidence that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays an important role in mediating emotional experiences, its involvement in the psychedelic experience is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent changes in the relative influence of the sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous systems (PNS) over cardiac activity may reflect the subjective experience induced by the short-acting psychedelic N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT).
Methods: We derived measures of SNS and PNS activity from the electrocardiograms of 17 participants (11 males, mean age = 33.8 years, SD = 8.3) while they received either DMT or placebo.
Results: Results show that the joint influence of SNS and PNS (“sympathovagal coactivation”) over cardiac activity was positively related to participants’ ratings of “Spiritual Experience” and “Insightfulness” during the DMT experience, while also being related to improved well-being scores 2 weeks after the session. In addition, we found that the state of balance between the two ANS branches (“sympathovagal balance”) before DMT injection predicted scores of “Insightfulness” during the DMT experience, as well as subsequent sympathovagal coactivation.
Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the involvement of the ANS in psychedelic-induced peak experiences and may pave the way to the development of biofeedback-based tools to enhance psychedelic therapy.”
Authors: Valerie Bonnelle, Amanda Feilding, Fernando E. Rosas, David J. Nutt, Robin L. Carhart-Harris & Christopher Timmermann
Summary of Autonomic nervous system activity correlates with peak experiences induced by DMT and predicts increases in well-being
Psychedelic substances have been shown to induce profound alterations in perception, cognition, and emotional processing. These substances can lead to intense positive experiences, often referred to as “peak experiences,” which are characterised by their emotional intensity and positive valence. Research has demonstrated that these peak experiences are strong predictors of positive outcomes following psychedelic-assisted therapy, making it crucial to better understand their underlying biology.
While much research has focused on the effects of psychedelics on the central nervous system, the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in mediating these experiences has been largely overlooked. The ANS, which consists of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), plays a significant role in regulating emotional experiences. The SNS is associated with the “fight-or-flight” response and emotional arousal, while the PNS is involved in rest, recovery, and regulation of bodily functions.
The researchers hypothesised that peak experiences induced by psychedelics may be associated with a state of balanced activation between the SNS and PNS, which they refer to as “sympatho-vagal coactivation.” They also proposed that starting the psychedelic experience from a state of greater sympatho-vagal balance might be conducive to peak experiences.
Methods
Participants and Experimental Procedures
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https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811241276788
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Cite this paper (APA)
Bonnelle, V., Feilding, A., Rosas, F. E., Nutt, D. J., Carhart-Harris, R. L., & Timmermann, C. (2024). Autonomic nervous system activity correlates with peak experiences induced by DMT and predicts increases in well-being. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 02698811241276788.
Study details
Compounds studied
DMT
Topics studied
Healthy Subjects
Neuroscience
Study characteristics
Original Re-analysis
Placebo-Controlled
Single-Blind
Within-Subject
Re-analysis
Participants
17
Humans
Institutes
Institutes associated with this publication
Imperial College LondonThe Centre for Psychedelic Research studies the action (in the brain) and clinical use of psychedelics, with a focus on depression.
Compound Details
The psychedelics given at which dose and how many times
DMT 20 mg | 2xLinked Research Papers
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