This Phase I/II clinical trial investigates the safety, tolerability, and potential therapeutic benefits of a novel sublingual formulation of 5-MeO-DMT. The study uses a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design to evaluate the compound's effects on mood and overall well-being, focusing on participants with elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression. Study Design and Objectives: Participants are divided into four groups: one receiving a placebo and three receiving different doses of 5-MeO-DMT (6 mg, 9 mg, or 12 mg). Each group comprises 10 participants, totaling 40 individuals. The study administers one dose weekly for four weeks, with comprehensive monitoring at baseline and throughout the trial to track changes in emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being. Objectives: Assessing 5-MeO-DMT's impact on anxiety, depression, and emotional well-being. Understanding its pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion). Evaluating its safety profile and identifying potential side effects, both mild and severe. Monitoring and Safety Participant safety is prioritized, with medical professionals conducting regular evaluations of vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure. Detailed tracking of mood, perception, and physical responses ensures any adverse reactions are documented and analyzed. Sublingual Administration The sublingual route is being studied for its rapid absorption into the bloodstream. Researchers will determine how efficiently the body processes 5-MeO-DMT, its duration in the bloodstream, and its influence on daily life. These findings will inform the practicality of this administration method in clinical settings. Significance of the Study This trial aims to establish a robust safety and tolerability profile for 5-MeO-DMT while exploring its effects on anxiety and depression. The results will also provide essential data to guide future studies into its therapeutic potential for improving mental health and overall quality of life. By addressing both the compound's safety and potential benefits, this research lays the groundwork for developing innovative mental health treatments.
This Phase I/II clinical trial employs a rigorous, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of a novel sublingual formulation of 5-MeO-DMT. The trial focuses on understanding the compound's effects in healthy volunteers and those with elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression, aiming to build a comprehensive profile of its potential therapeutic and pharmacological properties. Study Objectives The Phase I component emphasizes: * Safety and Tolerability: Assessing physiological responses, including vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, temperature) and cardiac function (ECGs). Biochemical markers of renal, hepatic, and hematological health will be monitored to detect potential adverse effects. * Pharmacokinetics: Evaluating how 5-MeO-DMT is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated through blood sampling at multiple time points. Key metrics include peak plasma concentration (Cmax), time to peak (Tmax), and overall exposure (AUC). The Phase II component explores the efficacy of 5-MeO-DMT in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression and enhancing emotional well-being. Participants and Dosing Regimen The trial enrolls 40 participants aged 40-80, divided into four groups: one placebo group and three active treatment groups receiving sublingual doses of 6 mg, 9 mg, or 12 mg of 5-MeO-DMT. A single weekly dose is administered over four weeks, enabling the evaluation of immediate and cumulative effects. Recruitment will target healthy volunteers who meet specific anxiety and mood criteria. Notably, participants will be screened to exclude individuals with previous psychedelic experiences involving tryptamines, ergolines, or phenethylamines, those with contraindications to the use of psychedelics, and those currently taking prescribed psychoactive medications. This includes serotonin reuptake inhibitors, benzodiazepines, medications primarily affecting serotonin neurons (e.g., ondansetron), and MAO inhibitors. Neurocognitive and Psychological Assessments Participants undergo validated assessments to evaluate changes in: * Mood and Anxiety: Tools include the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and Suicidal Ideation Scale (SSI). * Cognitive Function: Neurocognitive tests like the Phonological Verbal Fluency Test (FAS), Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), and Digit Span Scale (DSS) assess executive function, working memory, and attention. Validated instruments will be employed to evaluate mood, anxiety levels, cognitive function, and any perceptual or psychological effects experienced by participants. These assessments will be conducted at baseline (Week 0), during each dosing week (Weeks 1-4), and at the end of the study (Week 5). By measuring these parameters, the trial aims to identify the effects of sub-psychedelic doses of 5-MeO-DMT on cognitive processes and emotional states. Safety Protocols The study complies with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and ethical standards, including approval from the CEI of the Ministry of Health of San Juan, Argentina. Informed consent is obtained from all participants, who are screened to exclude individuals with prior psychedelic experiences, contraindications, or concurrent use of psychoactive medications. The trial prioritizes participant safety with continuous monitoring and immediate medical response protocols for any adverse events. Expected Outcomes This study aims to generate a comprehensive dataset on the safety, pharmacokinetics, and potential efficacy of sublingual 5-MeO-DMT, providing a clear and detailed understanding of its safety and tolerability profile under controlled conditions. The findings are expected to inform future research into the therapeutic potential of 5-MeO-DMT for anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders, offering critical insights into its clinical applications. By advancing the understanding of psychedelic compounds, this study represents a pivotal step toward developing innovative, evidence-based treatments for mental health challenges.
Participants will receive a sublingual dose of 5-MeO-DMT once a week for four consecutive weeks. The intervention will be administered in the form of a sublingual tablet. The substance 5-MeO-DMT, a potent tryptamine, is known for its psychoactive properties but will be administered at a dose that does not induce a full psychedelic experience.
EEG is a technique used to monitor brain electrical activity by recording brain waves through electrodes placed on the scalp. This procedure allows the assessment of brain waves such as delta, theta, alpha, and beta, specifically to evaluate the changes in brain activity following sublingual administration of 5-MeO-DMT.
For pharmacokinetic analysis, approximately 6 mL of EDTA blood will be collected to assess the pharmacokinetics of a sublingual dose of 5-MeO-DMT. Samples will be obtained at baseline (pre-dose, 0 minutes) and at the following time points post-dose: 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 120 minutes.
Biochemical determinations will be performed to assess hematological, renal, hepatic, cardiac, and cellular lysis functions. The biochemical markers that will be measured include red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, glycated hemoglobin, white blood cells, microalbuminuria (urine albumin/creatinine ratio), and various serum markers such as cortisol, glucose, urea, serum creatinine, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, AST, ALT, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, and C-reactive protein.
To determine the intensity of the acute effects experienced by subjects, retrospective ratings will be collected 1 hour after 5-MeO-DMT or placebo exposure. Subjective ratings will include the Peak Experience Scale (PES), the Ego Dissolution Inventory (EDI), and the Mystical Experiences Questionnaire (MEQ).
Vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiration rate, body temperature, and electrocardiograms (ECGs), will be monitored over the six weeks of the treatment
Cognitive assessments will evaluate the effects of sublingual 5-MeO-DMT on cognitive functions. Participants will undergo the Phonological Verbal Fluency Test (FAS) to assess executive function, the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) to evaluate processing speed, and the Digit Span Scale (DSS) for attention span and working memory. These tests will be administered at baseline, during treatment, and post-treatment to assess any cognitive changes in response to the different doses of 5-MeO-DMT (6 mg, 9 mg, 12 mg) or placebo, helping to determine how the intervention may influence cognitive processing, memory, and attention.
Psychiatric evaluations will be conducted to assess the emotional and psychological effects of sublingual 5-MeO-DMT. Participants will complete the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI II) to measure mood and depressive symptoms, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to evaluate state anxiety, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to assess stress levels. Additionally, the Suicidal Ideation Scale (SSI) will be used to monitor any changes in suicidal ideation throughout the study. These psychiatric assessments will be administered at multiple time points during the study to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of 5-MeO-DMT in improving mood, anxiety, and overall psychological well-being.
San Juan, Rivadavia, Argentina