Subjective effects and neurophysiological correlates of inhaled consumption of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in an urban natural environment.

CAVANNA, FEDERICO; PALLAVICINI, CARLA; ZAMBERLAN, FEDERICO; TAGLIAZUCCHI, ENZO

Villa Carlos Paz

Congreso; XXV Congress of the Argentine Society for Research in Neuroscience; 2019

Sociedad Argentina de Neurociencias

Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists are known for their ability to induce profound and transient changes in the user´s consciousness. An example of these compounds is the classic serotonergic psychedelic N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) which is frequently consumed both orally ?ayahuasca? or via inhalation of free base vapor. In recent years human research using psychotropic substances has been revitalized, yet most of the published experiments were carried out in an isolated experimentation environment. This can modify both the mental state a person brings to the experience, like thoughts, mood and expectations (?set?) and the physical and social environment (´setting´). The objective of this work is to investigate the consumption of DMT in an urban natural environment; that is, in the context chosen by the users to carry out their experience. Using a minimally invasive experimental design, a series of psychometric scales are administered before and after the experience, during which we record changes in cortical oscillations associated with different stages of the acute effect of consumption, measured with a portable electroencephalograph (EEG). Preliminary results show a reduction in the alpha band spectral power, as reported in previous studies on DMT and other psychedelics, and suggest correlations between personality traits, changes in mood and anxiety scores and the overall effects of the reported experience.