Tracing the Path of DMT Science in Brazil: Historical Roots and Future Directions

This panel will share the 19-year journey of our research into N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Draulio Araujo will begin by discussing our initial studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore the neural bases of ayahuasca’s acute effects. Fernanda Palhano-Fontes will then present the results from our phase I, IIa, and IIb clinical trials investigating the safety, tolerability, and antidepressant effects of ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression. To streamline and optimize potential clinical applications, our team further explored the feasibility of inhaled DMT. Marcelo Falchi will discuss our research on the safety and tolerability of vaporized DMT in healthy humans and present findings from an open-label clinical trial on its antidepressant effects in patients with major depression. Lastly, Nicole Galvão-Coelho will detail our findings on the impact of DMT on various biomarkers associated with major depressive disorder, integrating results from across our studies. Draulio Araujo will conclude with a discussion on the future directions of our research.