N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a potent serotonergic psychedelic whose exogenous administration produces striking effects in humans. DMT and related compounds, along with the enzyme indolethylamine-N-methyltransferase (INMT) that synthesizes DMT from tryptamine, have been found in human and other mammalian tissues. Hypotheses for endogenous DMT's physiological role include immunomodulation and involvement in naturally occurring altered states of consciousness, but no clear relationship has been established from in vivo assays. The authors propose that genetic screening of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in INMT, which may affect DMT synthesis and levels, could overcome limitations of bodily fluid assays and help clarify whether DMT has a physiological role.
Functional neurological disorders (FNDs) are common, disabling neuropsychiatric conditions with limited treatment options. They present with sensory or motor symptoms that mimic other neurological conditions but arise from mechanisms other than identifiable structural neuropathology, often triggered by psychological factors. Preliminary evidence supports psychedelic-assisted therapy for several psychiatric illnesses, including FNDs. This review examines theoretical arguments for and against exploring psychedelic-assisted therapy for FNDs, discusses prior cases of psychedelic use for psychosomatic conditions, and analyzes therapeutic outcomes through recent neuroimaging studies on psychedelics and FNDs.