A Model for the Application of Target-Controlled Intravenous Infusion for a Prolonged Immersive DMT Psychedelic Experience.

The state of consciousness induced by DMT is extraordinary, with users reporting a complete replacement of normal experience by a novel alternate universe filled with complex visual content and sentient beings. The short duration of DMT effects (under 20 minutes) limits single-dose studies. Using pharmacokinetic modeling and blood sampling data, the authors demonstrate that DMT's rapid onset and lack of acute tolerance make it suitable for target-controlled intravenous infusion, a technology used to maintain stable anesthetic levels during surgery. Simulations show this approach can induce a stable, prolonged DMT experience, enabling careful observation of psychological contents, extended accounts, functional neuroimaging, and potential psychotherapeutic applications.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The state of consciousness induced by N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is one of the most extraordinary of any naturally-occurring psychedelic substance. Users consistently report the complete replacement of normal subjective experience with a novel "alternate universe," often densely populated with a variety of strange objects and other highly complex visual content, including what appear to be sentient "beings." The phenomenology of the DMT state is of great interest to psychology and calls for rigorous academic enquiry. The extremely short duration of DMT effects-less than 20 min-militates against single dose administration as the ideal model for such enquiry. Using pharmacokinetic modeling and DMT blood sampling data, we demonstrate that the unique pharmacological characteristics of DMT, which also include a rapid onset and lack of acute tolerance to its subjective effects, make it amenable to administration by target-controlled intravenous infusion. This is a technology developed to maintain a stable brain concentration of anesthetic drugs during surgery. Simulations of our model demonstrate that this approach will allow research subjects to be induced into a stable and prolonged DMT experience, making it possible to carefully observe its psychological contents, and provide more extensive accounts for subsequent analyses. This model would also be valuable in performing functional neuroimaging, where subjects are required to remain under the influence of the drug for extended periods. Finally, target-controlled intravenous infusion of DMT may aid the development of unique psychotherapeutic applications of this psychedelic agent.