In the study, 34 adults received either intravenous DMT or a placebo. After two weeks, 35% of participants who received DMT had halved their depression symptoms, compared to 12% in the placebo group. " The study's observation time for the placebo group is short, and it remains unknown how long the therapeutic effects of DMT last beyond two weeks.
Intravenous DMT provides a much shorter psychedelic experience than psilocybin, lasting minutes instead of hours, which could make it easier to manage and administer in healthcare settings. In psilocybin studies, patients need to stay at the clinic for a full day. Several studies have shown positive effects with psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression.
Exciting results.
Mikael Tiger welcomed studies on treatments aimed at people with treatment-resistant depression, stating, "Many are helped by psychotherapy or medication, but not all. " A challenge with studies of psychedelic substances is that it becomes clear who receives a placebo, as it is difficult to create a 'fake high'. In the current study, all participants were offered to take DMT two weeks after the first dose.
Mikael Tiger noted, "It is understandable from an ethical perspective to do this because patients are often disappointed if they get a placebo, but it ruins the scientific comparison over time. " Researchers write that more and larger studies are needed to further investigate the effect, and the long-term safety and side effects of DMT treatment for depression are not yet known.
After two weeks, there is better effect with DMT than placebo, but one would like to know how long the difference lasts.
Many are helped by psychotherapy or medication, but not all. For them, several alternatives are needed.
It is understandable from an ethical perspective to do this because patients are often disappointed if they get a placebo, but it ruins the scientific comparison over time. I would have liked to see waiting at least six weeks before all participants were offered DMT.