Ayahuasca-Inspired DMT/HAR Formulation Reduces Brain Differentiation Between Self and Other Faces

A psychedelic formulation combining DMT and harmine, inspired by ayahuasca, blurs the brain's distinction between self and other faces. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment with 31 healthy men, the DMT/harmine combination increased early visual brain responses (P1 amplitude) and disrupted the structural encoding of faces (reduced N170 amplitude) for all face types. It also specifically reduced the brain's later response (P300) to one's own face, making the neural reaction to self-faces more similar to that for familiar or unknown faces. Harmine alone did not produce these effects. The findings suggest psychedelics may reduce attentional focus on self-referential information, potentially explaining feelings of unity and enhanced empathy.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Background Psychedelics are known to profoundly alter perception and self-referential processing, yet their specific effects on face recognition—a key aspect of social cognition—remain underexplored. Objective This study investigates the effects of an ayahuasca-inspired novel DMT/HAR (N,N-dimethyltryptamine/Harmine) formulation and Harmine alone on face recognition and self-referential processing, as measured by event-related potentials (ERPs). Methods In a within-subject, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 31 healthy male participants underwent EEG recording during a visual oddball task involving Self, Familiar, and Unknown Faces. The study compared the effects of a DMT/HAR formulation, harmine alone, and placebo on key visual ERP components: P1, N170, and P300. Results DMT/HAR increased P1 amplitude and decreased N170 amplitude across all face categories, indicating enhanced early visual processing and disrupted face structural encoding. DMT/HAR also reduced P300 amplitude specifically for self-faces, diminishing neural differentiation between self and other faces. Conclusion The DMT/HAR formulation significantly blurs the neural distinction between self and other faces, suggesting a potential mechanism by which psychedelics diminish attentional focus on self-referential information, thereby enhancing empathy and unity. These insights into serotonergic modulation of face recognition could inform therapeutic strategies for disorders characterized by altered self-processing.