Can psychedelics be the quick fix for depression? It’s certainly looking that way, according to the first major study that’s putting DMT (N-dimethyltryptamine) — the active, hallucinogenic ingredient found in ayahuasca — at the forefront of early trials.
The clinical trial by UK-based biotech company Small Pharma explored the benefits of using DMT to treat major depressive disorder, through a short IV infusion of DMT in 34 patients. In addition to supportive psychotherapy, participants — all of whom were diagnosed with moderate to severe depression — were given a one-time dose of 21.5mg, which resulted in a 20- to 30-minute hallucinogenic experience. Each participant’s level of depression symptoms, post-session, was assessed using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).
