DMT Models the Near-Death Experience
Christopher Timmermann, Leor Roseman, L. Williams, David Erritzøe, Charlotte Martial, Héléna Cassol, Steven Laureys, David Nutt, Robin Carhart‐Harris
Frontiers in Psychology August 15, 2018 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01424 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractNear-death experiences (NDEs) share striking phenomenological similarities with the effects of the psychedelic drug DMT. In a placebo-controlled, within-subjects study, 13 healthy participants received DMT and placebo, then completed a standard NDE measure. DMT significantly increased NDE-like features compared to placebo. NDE scores were linked to DMT-induced ego-dissolution and mystical experiences, as well as baseline traits of absorption and delusional ideation. Nearly all NDE features overlapped between DMT-induced experiences and a matched group of actual NDE experiencers. These results indicate a remarkable similarity between the DMT state and NDEs, warranting further research.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Within-subjects placebo-controlled study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 13 |
| Population | Healthy participants |
| Intervention | DMT |
| Keywords | Placebo Trait Feeling Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 228 |
| Key finding | DMT administration produced near-death experience phenomenology that significantly overlapped with features of actual NDEs. |
Abstract
Near-death experiences (NDEs) are complex subjective experiences, which have been previously associated with the psychedelic experience and more specifically with the experience induced by the potent serotonergic, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Potential similarities between both subjective states have been noted previously, including the subjective feeling of transcending one's body and entering an alternative realm, perceiving and communicating with sentient 'entities' and themes related to death and dying. In this within-subjects placebo-controled study we aimed to test the similarities between the DMT state and NDEs, by administering DMT and placebo to 13 healthy participants, who then completed a validated and widely used measure of NDEs. Results revealed significant increases in phenomenological features associated with the NDE, following DMT administration compared to placebo. Also, we found significant relationships between the NDE scores and DMT-induced ego-dissolution and mystical-type experiences, as well as a significant association between NDE scores and baseline trait 'absorption' and delusional ideation measured at baseline. Furthermore, we found a significant overlap in nearly all of the NDE phenomenological features when comparing DMT-induced NDEs with a matched group of 'actual' NDE experiencers. These results reveal a striking similarity between these states that warrants further investigation.