The potential of 5‐methoxy‐N,N‐dimethyltryptamine in the treatment of alcohol use disorder: A first look at therapeutic mechanisms of action
Addiction Biology April 1, 2024 Stephan C Tap 12 citations
Alcohol use disorder remains a prevalent psychiatric condition with limited treatment options and high relapse rates. Psychedelic-assisted therapy with psilocybin and LSD shows promise but requires lengthy therapist sessions. The short-acting psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT may offer advantages. This review suggests 5-MeO-DMT can induce mystical experiences and ego-dissolution while increasing psychological flexibility and mindfulness, potentially alleviating mood-related comorbidities that drive alcohol use through negative reinforcement. Preliminary evidence indicates 5-MeO-DMT modulates neural oscillations—increases in gamma linked to ego-dissolution, increases in theta linked to psychological flexibility, and increased coherence across frequencies that may reorganize executive control networks. Animal studies show neuroplasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, 5-HT2A receptor agonism, and downregulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5, with implications for alcohol use disorder and comorbid mood conditions.