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Studying How DMT Affects the Brain

This study is looking at how the psychedelic substance N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) affects the human brain when given through an IV (into a vein). Researchers want to understand what happens when DMT's effects last longer than usual. You would receive either a low dose (15 mg) or a medium dose (17.5 mg) of synthetic DMT through an IV. The main goal is to see changes in your brain activity using fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), which measures blood flow in the brain. This study is for healthy individuals aged 18 to 65 who can speak English and are not taking certain antidepressant medications. The study is currently unclear on its status and plans to enroll 20 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 20 healthy participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You would have fMRI scans at the beginning and during the DMT administration. The fMRI will be assessed up to 3 months after the study starts.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your brain activity will be assessed using fMRI up to 3 months after the study begins.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07693257

Neural Effects of Intravenous N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT)

Not Yet Recruiting
PHASE1Ages 18–65InterventionalBasic science
Jon Dean
~20 participants
Updated 2026-07-09 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (15 mg)N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (17.5 mg)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
fMRI - Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) Signaling
Measured over Up to 3 months: Assessed at baseline fMRI (Visit 2) and dosing fMRI (Visits 6, 8).

Conditions

Healthy Participants Study

Explore related trials

Healthy Volunteers

NCT07693257

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute

    La Jolla, Californiano site contact published

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Jon Dean, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · UCSD

Who to contact

Yasmeen Esshaki
[email protected]
619-786-0375
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

18 to 65 years of age
Able to fluently communicate in English
Agree to sign the consent and HIPAA authorization
Not taking serotonergic antidepressant medication
Willing to refrain from using any non-prescribed psychoactive drugs, including alcohol, within 24 hours before and after study drug administration
Willing to refrain from consumption of illicit psychoactive substances during the study
Agree not to use any nonprescription medications, herbal medications, or supplements during the week prior to each drug session unless an exception is approved by the study investigators
Willing to refrain from smoking or use of nicotine from 8:00 AM on the morning of drug sessions until discharge at the end of the session
Have used classic serotonergic hallucinogens (e.g., LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca) without untoward/adverse effects and report "liking" psychedelic drugs with no previous adverse reactions to DMT or other psychedelics
Report at least 20 lifetime uses of psychedelics, including at least 5 uses of DMT (any form), at least one via inhalation, at least once within the past 2 years, and not within the past 3 months
Able to remain in an fMRI scanner without sedation and pass fMRI safety screening
Refrain from caffeine use prior to fMRI scanning
Women of childbearing potential must agree to use effective birth control from screening through the final visit
Have a relative or friend available to provide transportation after the drug session
Not taking medications acting as serotonin antagonists (e.g., cyclobenzaprine, ondansetron), dopamine antagonists (e.g., metoclopramide, promethazine, prochlorperazine), dopamine agonists (e.g., levodopa, pramipexole, apomorphine), psychostimulants (e.g., modafinil, armodafinil, solriamfetol, methylphenidate, dexmethylphenidate, atomoxetine, dextroamphetamine, mixed amphetamine salts, lisdexamfetamine), anticholinergics (e.g., benztropine, trihexyphenidyl, scopolamine, hyoscyamine), or NMDA receptor antagonists (e.g., amantadine, memantine, ketamine)

Exclusion

Pregnant or nursing females
Females of childbearing potential who are sexually active but not using birth control
MRI contraindications (e.g., pacemakers, metal implants, spinal cord stimulators)
Current DSM-5 diagnosis of depression or anxiety (or within past 6 months), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorder
First-degree relative with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorder
Suicide risk as determined by clinician assessment and/or C-SSRS
Active substance use disorder (excluding tobacco and caffeine)
Use of serotonergic dietary supplements (e.g., 5-hydroxytryptophan, St. John's wort, SAM-e) if unwilling to discontinue for study duration
Neurological conditions affecting cognition or perception (e.g., dementia, traumatic brain injury, mild cognitive impairment)
Positive urine drug screen for amphetamines, barbiturates, buprenorphine, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, methadone, opiates, or phencyclidine
Use of DMT or another serotonergic hallucinogen within the past 3 months
Concomitant treatment with antipsychotic medications
Concomitant treatment with antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, or serotonin reuptake inhibitors (trazodone ≤50 mg/day for insomnia allowed but not within 48 hours of DMT session)
Severe hearing or visual impairment
History of seizure disorder or epilepsy
History of adverse reactions to rescue medications used in the study (benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, labetalol, nitroglycerin, ondansetron)
Cardiovascular disease or hypertension (SBP \>140 mmHg or DBP \>90 mmHg)
Resting heart rate \>90 bpm
Hypotension (SBP \<90 mmHg or DBP \<60 mmHg)
QTc prolongation (\>0.045 sec for men, \>0.047 sec for women)
History of stroke, angina, clinically significant ECG abnormality, or artificial heart valve
Severe renal impairment (GFR \<30 mL/min/1.73 m²)
Clinically significant laboratory abnormalities
History of syncope
History of vertigo
Myocardial infarction within 12 months
Child-Pugh class B or higher, or with alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase \>2x upper limit of normal
Concomitant medications associated with serotonin syndrome (e.g., carbamazepine, dextromethorphan, lithium, linezolid, buspirone)
Severely compromised hepatic function
Trypanophobia (fear of needles/blood)
Treatment with another investigational drug within 30 days of screening

What this trial measures

  • fMRI - Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) SignalingUp to 3 months: Assessed at baseline fMRI (Visit 2) and dosing fMRI (Visits 6, 8).

    Whole brain BOLD fMRI acquired during the peak subjective effects of IV administration of two separate doses ("low" and "medium") of DMT hemifumarate over a 60 min period for comparison across time, between dose, and versus rest/saline infusion.