Notes on DMT and Brain Function

Parietal Temporal Occipital Cortex (PTO)

Role of PTO: Integrates sensory information for spatial awareness
- Visual Information: From occipital cortex
- Auditory Information: From temporal cortex
- Somato-sensory Information: From parietal cortex
Part of the Transmodal Dissociation Cortex: Multiple brain regions working together for complex sensory processing.

Setup: 20 healthy participants received 20mg of DMT via IV
Objective: Study the connectivity of the PTO and other brain regions during the psychedelic experience.
Measurements: EEG and fMRI before, during, and after the trip.

Definition: NN dimethyl tryptamine, a powerful psychedelic compound found in nature.
Endogenous DMT: Found in human blood, urine, and cerebral spinal fluid.
Speculation: Pineal gland may produce DMT, but evidence is limited.
Exogenous DMT: Can be synthesized or extracted; methods of consumption include vaporization, smoking, injection, and oral ingestion (with MAO inhibitor).
Duration: DMT experience lasts approximately 10-15 minutes.

Findings: Networks, including PTO, showed decreased cohesion; boundaries between networks became less distinct.
Increased Connectivity: Notable increases in functional connectivity of:
- Salience Network: Attention and awareness
- Frontoparietal Network: Decision-making
- Default Mode Network: Self-referential processing.
Implication: DMT may disrupt established networks while enhancing connectivity related to attention and self-relevant information processing.

Alpha Power Decrease: Indicative of less brain idling (normal resting state).
Increased Delta and Gamma Waves:
- Delta Waves: Associated with sleep; increased in the frontal regions during DMT experience.
- Gamma Waves: Associated with high focus; increased in occipital regions.
Conclusion: DMT creates a unique brainwave state that aligns with user experiences of chaotic visual patterns.

Serotonin: A monoamine neurotransmitter involved in various body functions (mood, sleep, appetite).
5HT2A Receptors: High density in areas most affected by DMT; critical for the psychedelic experience.
Relevance to Disorders: Implicated in depression, psychosis, and schizophrenia.

Psychedelics and Neuroplasticity: DMT's potential for managing traumatic experiences and emotional connections.
Growing Research: Institutions like Yale and Johns Hopkins are investigating therapeutic uses of psychedelics.

DMT as a Controlled Substance: Schedule I drug in the US; important to approach with caution and responsibility.
Mental State and Set & Setting: Impact the user experience significantly; mindful use is critical.

Exciting Future: Ongoing research can uncover aspects of Consciousness and potential treatments that are non-addictive.