Exploring 5-MeO-DMT as a pharmacological model for deconstructed consciousness.

The psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT can, in its most extreme cases, produce a complete absence of self-experience and other perceptual content while preserving a quality of aroused, waking awareness. In an exploratory observational study in naturalistic ceremonial settings, micro-phenomenological interviews, questionnaires, and EEG recordings revealed a dynamic progression of effects, including variable disruptions of bodily and narrative self, reduced phenomenal distinctions, and visual imagery. EEG showed global alpha and posterior beta power reductions, suggesting inhibition of top-down brain models. The findings indicate 5-MeO-DMT's potential as a pharmacological model for deconstructed consciousness, though retrospective questionnaires have limitations.

Study at a glance

Abstract

5-MeO-DMT is a short-acting psychedelic that is anecdotally reported to induce a radical disruption of the self and a paradoxical quality of aroused, waking awareness that is nevertheless devoid of any specific perceptual contents. Here, we conducted an exploratory observational study of the phenomenological and neuronal effects of this compound. We collected micro-phenomenological interviews, psychometric questionnaires, and electroencephalography (EEG) in naturalistic ceremonial settings where 5-MeO-DMT was ingested. Results revealed that the 5-MeO-DMT experience followed a dynamic progression that-only in the most extreme cases-manifested as a complete absence of self-experience and other phenomenal content with preserved awareness. Furthermore, visual imagery, bodily self-disruption, narrative self-disruption, and reduced phenomenal distinctions occurred in a variable fashion. EEG analyses revealed the 5-MeO-DMT experience was characterised by (global) alpha and (posterior) beta power reductions, implying a mode of brain functioning where top-down models are inhibited. Our preliminary phenomenological findings confirm the potential utility of 5-MeO-DMT as a pharmacological model for deconstructed consciousness while noting the limitations of employing retrospective questionnaires for this purpose. Considering the exploratory nature of this study and its limitations inherent to its naturalistic nature, further research employing real-time experience sampling and phenomenologically trained participants in controlled environments could expand our findings to meaningfully inform the potential of this tool for the scientific study of consciousness.