A Physician’s Attempt to Self-Medicate Bipolar Depression with N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
Tanida Brown, Wanda Shao, Shehzad Ayub, David Chong, Christian Cornelius
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs August 8, 2017 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2017.1344898 via Elsevier
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA physician with refractory bipolar depression chronically self-medicated with N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) augmented with phenelzine, leading to altered mental status, mania, and psychosis. The case explores DMT's potential therapeutic and recreational uses, its theorized mechanism involving agonist activity at 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2C receptors, and the risks of self-medication, especially among physicians.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A physician with refractory bipolar depression |
| Interventions | DMT phenelzine |
| Citations | 21 |
| Key finding | Chronic self-administration of DMT with phenelzine in a physician with bipolar depression resulted in mania and psychosis. |
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a psychoactive substance that has been gaining popularity in therapeutic and recreational use. This is a case of a physician who chronically took DMT augmented with phenelzine in an attempt to self-medicate refractory bipolar depression. His presentation of altered mental status, mania, and psychosis is examined in regards to his DMT use. This case discusses DMT, the possible uses of DMT, and the theorized mechanism of DMT in psychosis and treatment of depression, particularly involving its agonist activity at 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2C. It is also important to recognize the dangers of self-medication, particularly amongst physicians.