Banca de DEFESA: MELANIE MOURA MEDINA GURGEL

Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : MELANIE MOURA MEDINA GURGEL
DATE: 27/08/2025
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: Videoconferência
TITLE:

EXPLORING THE BIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS INDUCED BY VAPORIZED DMT IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

KEY WORDS:

biomarker, depression, DMT, psychedelic

PAGES: 111
BIG AREA: Ciências Humanas
AREA: Psicologia
SUBÁREA: Psicologia Fisiológica
SPECIALTY: Psicobiologia
SUMMARY:

N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) has been tested as a potential fast-acting antidepressant, and studies have speculated on the importance of the psychedelic experience in the clinical response to these new types of treatment. However, it is still unclear whether the psychedelic effects are related to physiological changes in pathways associated with depression. The present study investigated the relationships between DMT use and a panel of potential blood biomarkers of depression/mood in a group of healthy individuals, seeking to understand whether molecular changes are associated with the intensity and nature of DMT-induced altered states of consciousness. This is a cross-sectional, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. All participants received one dose of the active substance and one dose of placebo in random order within a controlled environment. Blood samples were collected before and after the use of each substance, and the Hallucinogen Rating Scale (HRS) and Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ) were applied to assess altered states of consciousness. The molecules investigated were C-reactive protein (CRP), cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Although no significant changes in CRP levels were observed, reductions in this marker correlate with higher scores on the cognitive dimension in one of the subjective assessment scales (HRS). DMT induced acute increases in cortisol and the cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio without significantly altering DHEA(S), and increases in cortisol and the cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio were positively associated with specific cognitive and mystical aspects of the psychedelic experience (HRS and MEQ). An important finding was that the increase in cortisol occurred only when DMT was administered in the first session. A lower initial dose (placebo) reduces anticipatory anxiety and may facilitate the patient's adaptation to psychedelic-assisted therapy. Therefore, this study suggests that DMT does not act only at the subjective level, but has effects that integrate experiential and biological dimensions, in which the intensity and qualitative aspects of the psychedelic experience are associated with acute hormonal responses and inflammatory markers. Considering the scarcity of studies in this area, these results contribute to the advancement of this emerging field and to a broader understanding of the potential mechanisms of DMT, in order to provide support for the development of interventions that integrate subjective and physiological aspects as part of the therapeutic process.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Interno - 1216466 - JOHN FONTENELE ARAUJO
Interna - 1718518 - NICOLE LEITE GALVAO COELHO
Externo à Instituição - LEANDRO JOSE BERTOGLIO - UFSC