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The epidemiology of 5-methoxy- N, N -dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) use: Benefits, consequences, patterns of use, subjective effects, and reasons for consumption

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Davis, Alan K, Barsuglia, Joseph P, Lancelotta, Rafael, Grant, Robert M, Renn, Elise·2018·Journal of Psychopharmacology

Abstract

Background/aim: 5-Methoxy- N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a psychoactive compound found in several plants and in high concentrations in Bufo alvarius toad venom. Synthetic, toad, and plant-sourced 5-MeO-DMT are used for spiritual and recreational purposes and may have psychotherapeutic effects. However, the use of 5-MeO-DMT is not well understood. Therefore, we examined patterns of use, motivations for consumption, subjective effects, and potential benefits and consequences associated with 5-MeO-DMT use. Methods: Using internet-based advertisements, 515 respondents ( M age =35.4. SD=11.7; male=79%; White/Caucasian=86%; United States resident=42%) completed a web-based survey. Results: Most respondents consumed 5-MeO-DMT infrequently (<once/year), for spiritual exploration, and had used less than four times in their lifetime. The majority (average of 90%) reported moderate-to-strong mystical-type experiences ( M intensity =3.64, SD=1.11; range 0–5; e.g., ineffability, timelessness, awe/amazement, experience of pure being/awareness), and relatively fewer (average of 37%) experienced very slight challenging experiences ( M intensity =0.95, SD=0.91; range 0–5; e.g., anxiousness, fear). Less than half (39%) reported repeated consumption during the same session, and very few reported drug craving/desire (8%), or legal (1%), medical (1%), or psychiatric (1%) problems related to use. Furthermore, of those who reported being diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, the majority reported improvements in symptoms following 5-MeO-DMT use, including improvements related to post-traumatic stress disorder (79%), depression (77%), anxiety (69%), and alcoholism (66%) or drug use disorder (60%). Conclusion: Findings suggest that 5-MeO-DMT is used infrequently, predominantly for spiritual exploration, has low potential for addiction, and might have psychotherapeutic effects. Future research should examine the safety and pharmacokinetics of 5-MeO-DMT administration in humans using rigorous experimental designs.

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Crossref · 10.1177/0269881118769063

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  • 5-MeO-DMT has an acceptable physiological safety profile in naturalistic settings.

    “it appears that 5-MeO-DMT has an acceptable physiological safety profile in naturalistic settings (Davis et al. 2018; Davis et al. 2019)”

    From Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment (2020) · cites this paper as Davis et al. 2018

    The Discussion describes a relatively good safety profile in spiritual and recreational settings and reports low rates of medical complications. The Results on medical functioning also report that worsening was uncommon. These self-reported findings support an apparent safety profile in naturalistic use, but the paper does not establish a specifically physiological safety profile through physiological measurements. (LLM, conf=0.81)

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  • People who reported having had a psychiatric condition experienced improvement in depression (77%), anxiety (69%), PTSD (79%), and substance use disorders (60%) following the use of 5-MeO-DMT.

    “people who reported having had a psychiatric condition described that following the use of 5-MeO-DMT, they experienced improvement in depression (77%), anxiety (69%), post-traumatic stress disorder (79%), and substance use disorders (60%) (Davis et al. 2018).”

    From Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment (2020) · cites this paper as Davis et al. 2018

    The Results section reports self-reported improvement following 5-MeO-DMT use for depression (77%), anxiety (69%), and PTSD (79%) among respondents with those conditions. It reports approximately 63% for substance use problems overall, rather than 60%; the 60% figure refers specifically to drug use disorder, while alcoholism or hazardous drinking is reported separately at 66%. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • 5-MeO-DMT has become popular in naturalistic settings for spiritual exploration, recreation, or to improve affect or relieve mental health problems.

    “At the present time, 5-MeO-DMT has become popular in naturalistic settings as a means for spiritual exploration, recreation, or as a way to increase affect or relieve problems associated with mental health (Davis et al. 2018).”

    From Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment (2020) · cites this paper as Davis et al. 2018

    The Introduction describes use in ceremonial and other nonclinical settings for spiritual exploration, recreation, and self-treatment of psychiatric symptoms. The Results section on motivations reports those three reasons among respondents, and the section on subjective effects reports positive mood experiences. However, the paper does not establish that use has become popular or that improving affect was a reason for use. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • 5-MeO-DMT has low addiction liability.

    “as well as a low addiction liability (Davis et al. 2018)”

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Barsuglia J, Davis A, Palmer R, (2017) Characterization of Mystical Experiences Occasioned by 5-MeO-DMT-Containing Toad Bufotoxin and Comparison with Prior Psilocybin Studies. In: 23 April 2017. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.26984.26883. · DOI
  2. Gjolaj N and MacDonald DA (2011) Confirmatory Factor Analysis of a Revised Death Transcendence Scale. Archive for the Psychology of Religion 33(1): 79– 91. DOI: 10.1163/157361211X564620. · DOI
  3. Shulgin A, Shulgin A (1997) TiHKAL the continuation. Transform Press, Berkeley

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Authors
Davis, A. K., Barsuglia, J. P., Lancelotta, R., Grant, R. M., & Renn, E.
Affiliations
  • Johns Hopkins University (US)
  • Crossroads Treatment Center, Rosarito, Mexico
  • University of Wyoming (US)
  • University of California, San Francisco (US)
Corresponding author
Davis, Alan K
Venue
Journal of Psychopharmacology
Published
2018-04-30
Volume
32
Issue
7
Pages
779-792
ISSN
  • 0269-8811 (ISSN-L)
  • 1461-7285
OpenAlex
W2802902398
Cited by
140
References
40
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 4
FWCI
12.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (AA007747)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA07209)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Toxicology › Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmacology › Alkaloids: synthesis and pharmacology
Keywords
5-MeO-DMT, tryptamine, psychedelic drug use, usage patterns, subjective effects, spiritual journey, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, alcoholism, drug craving, addiction potential
MeSH terms
Adult, Female, Hallucinogens, Humans, Male, Methoxydimethyltryptamines, Middle Aged, Motivation, Psychotropic Drugs, Surveys and Questionnaires, Substance-Related Disorders, Internet, Young Adult

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