A Model for the Application of Target-Controlled Intravenous Infusion for a Prolonged Immersive DMT Psychedelic Experience.

Andrew R Gallimore,Rick J Strassman

doi:10.3389/fphar.2016.00211

Abstract

The state of consciousness induced by N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is one of the most extraordinary of any naturally-occurring psychedelic substance. Users consistently report the complete replacement of normal subjective experience with a novel “alternate universe,” often densely populated with a variety of strange objects and other highly complex visual content, including what appear to be sentient “beings.” The phenomenology of the DMT state is of great interest to psychology and calls for rigorous academic enquiry. The extremely short duration of DMT effects—less than 20 min—militates against single dose administration as the ideal model for such enquiry. Using pharmacokinetic modeling and DMT blood sampling data, we demonstrate that the unique pharmacological characteristics of DMT, which also include a rapid onset and lack of acute tolerance to its subjective effects, make it amenable to administration by target-controlled intravenous infusion. This is a technology developed to maintain a stable brain concentration of anesthetic drugs during surgery. Simulations of our model demonstrate that this approach will allow research subjects to be induced into a stable and prolonged DMT experience, making it possible to carefully observe its psychological contents, and provide more extensive accounts for subsequent analyses. This model would also be valuable in performing functional neuroimaging, where subjects are required to remain under the influence of the drug for extended periods. Finally, target-controlled intravenous infusion of DMT may aid the development of unique psychotherapeutic applications of this psychedelic agent.

Highlights

N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) produces some of the most extraordinary changes in consciousness of any naturally-occurring psychedelic substance
Users consistently report the complete replacement of awareness of the normal waking world with a bizarre and complex “alternate universe” filled with a variety of visual objects, including what appear to be sentient, intelligent, and powerful “beings,” many of which actively interact with the individual (Strassman, 2001, 2008; Luke, 2011; Gallimore, 2013)
Target-controlled intravenous infusion is a methodology developed for use in general anesthesia, during which it is essential that the concentration of drug at the target site be established and stably maintained (Kenny and White, 1990; Absalom et al, 2016)

Summary

Introduction

N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) produces some of the most extraordinary changes in consciousness of any naturally-occurring psychedelic substance. This property renders DMT amenable to administration by continuous intravenous infusion, in which the drug is administered at a predetermined rate over a period of time and subjective effects can be prolonged. To establish that the pharmacokinetics of DMT make it suitable for target-controlled infusion, we used DMT plasma concentration data from a previous study (Strassman and Qualls, 1994).

Results

Conclusion