Transformative Psychopharmacology: the Case of 5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine
International Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research January 2, 2019 Jan M. Keppel Hesselink, Jan M. Keppel Hesselink
Since the mid-20th century, neo-shamanic rituals using psychoactive plant and animal extracts have grown popular in Europe and the USA, beginning with ayahuasca, a tea made from two Amazonian plants containing beta-carbolines (harmala alkaloids) and tryptamines. These compounds are examined through transformative psychopharmacology, which studies how psychoactive substances can help achieve healing, transformation, or a new psychological balance. Documented examples include positive effects on drug abuse, addiction, and alcoholism, though these healing aspects are often overlooked. As medicine becomes more personalized and postmodern, understanding why patients and healthy people participate in such rituals is increasingly relevant. The pharmacology, transformative effects, and adverse events of 5-MeO-DMT are presented, along with its potential place in postmodern medicine.