'Breakthrough' DMT treatment helps people with severe depression
A single dose of the psychedelic drug DMT, paired with therapy, helped people with hard-to-treat depression feel better for months, according to a new study from Imperial College London.
The trial involved 34 patients whose depression hadn't improved with regular meds.
How the trial unfolded
Participants got either a 21.5mg IV dose of DMT or a placebo, plus therapy.
Those who received DMT had a short, intense psychedelic experience (about 20-30 minutes) and saw their depression scores drop significantly after just two weeks compared to the placebo group.
Results lasted for months
The benefits stuck around for up to three months, and some people still felt better at six months.
Giving everyone a second dose later didn't boost results further.
The big deal? This approach could help folks who haven't had luck with standard treatments.
Why DMT is special
DMT's psychedelic effects are short—typically lasting around 20-30 minutes—which might make it more practical than other psychedelics that linger for hours.
Dr. David Erritzoe noted that DMT clears rapidly compared with hours-long psilocybin.
That quick turnaround could mean less disruption for anyone trying this kind of therapy.