A powerful psychedelic drug researchers say can help reset the brain is being used to treat depression for the first time.
DMT – dubbed the ‘Sprit Molecule’ because of the way it alters the human consciousness and produces experiences that have been likened to a spiritual awakening – is one of the main active ingredients in ayahuasca, a potent plant brew consumed in shamanic rituals in the Amazon.
While DMT is a ‘Class A’ drug that is illegal to distribute or possess, it is is a naturally occurring tryptamine that is produced by the human body and is found in many plants and animals.
Its role in the human body is not understood, but the intense psychedelic experiences DMT produces have been compared to near-death experiences.
However, It is now being trialled as a potential cure for depression for the first time – and scientists says it has the potential to offer longer-term relief from symptoms, when used in a therapeutic setting.
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