DMT models the near-death experience
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Near-death experiences (NDEs) are complex subjective experiences, which have been previously associated with the psychedelic experience and more specifically with the experience induced by the potent serotonergic, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Potential similarities between both subjective states have been noted previously, including the subjective feeling of transcending one’s body and entering an alternative realm, perceiving and communicating with sentient ‘entities’ and themes related to death and dying. In this within-subjects placebo-controled study we aimed to test the similarities between the DMT state and NDEs, by administering DMT and placebo to 13 healthy participants, who then completed a validated and widely used measure of NDEs. Results revealed significant increases in phenomenological features associated with the NDE, following DMT administration compared to placebo. Also, we found significant relationships between the NDE scores and DMT-induced ego-dissolution and mystical-type experiences, as well as a significant association between NDE scores and baseline trait ‘absorption’ and delusional ideation measured at baseline. Furthermore, we found a significant overlap in nearly all of the NDE phenomenological features when comparing DMT-induced NDEs with a matched group of ‘actual’ NDE experiencers. These results reveal a striking similarity between these states that warrants further investigation.
Date Issued
2018-08-15
Date Acceptance
2018-07-20
Citation
Frontiers in Psychology, 2018, 9
ISSN
1664-1078
Publisher
Frontiers Media
Journal / Book Title
Frontiers in Psychology
Volume
9
Copyright Statement
© 2018 Timmermann, Roseman, Williams, Erritzoe, Martial, Cassol, Laureys, Nutt and Carhart-Harris. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use,
distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication
in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication
in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Subjects
Social Sciences
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Psychology
DMT
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine
psychedelic
NDE
near-death experience
phenomenology
absorption
delusional ideation
LIFE-THREATENING CANCER
CHALLENGING EXPERIENCES
HALLUCINOGEN PSILOCYBIN
HEALTHY-VOLUNTEERS
CARDIAC-ARREST
DOSE-RESPONSE
DOUBLE-BLIND
PSYCHEDELICS
LSD
ANXIETY
N
N-Dimethyltryptamine
1701 Psychology
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 1424