Dimethyltryptamine: Endogenous Role and Therapeutic Potential

N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is an indole alkaloid found in plants and animals, including humans, with psychoactive effects first described in 1956 but used for centuries by South American indigenous populations in ayahuasca. This review assesses the state of knowledge on endogenous DMT and potential clinical uses of ayahuasca and DMT. The role of endogenous DMT remains unclear, but ayahuasca shows promising results for anxiety, depression, and substance dependence. Given ayahuasca's good safety profile, further research is crucial to develop new psychiatric treatments.

Study at a glance

Abstract

N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is an indole alkaloid produced by a number of plants and animals, including humans. Its psychoactive effects were first described in 1956 by Stephen Szára, but have been exploited for centuries by South American indigenous populations in the form of ayahuasca. In the present review, we assess the state of the art regarding a putative role for endogenous DMT and potential clinical applications of ayahuasca and DMT. A review assessing the pharmacological profile of DMT and its clinical effects in humans was performed using the PubMed data base until 5 August 2018 with the words: ayahuasca and N,N-dimethyltryptamine. While the role of endogenous DMT remains unclear, ayahuasca has promising results in anxiety, depression and substance dependence. Since ayahuasca has a good safety profile, it is crucial to conduct further research aimed at developing new treatments for psychiatric disorders.