Monday, June 16, 2025
Sunstone is pleased to begin enrollment of two clinical studies exploring the therapeutic potential of DMT (N,N-dimethyltryptamine) and its analogs.
What is DMT?
DMT, or N,N-dimethyltryptamine, is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in various plants and animals, including the human body in trace amounts. Structurally, DMT is similar to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in mood, sleep, and perception.
How Does DMT Work?
DMT primarily interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor, which is believed to be a key mediator of its psychedelic effects. By engaging with these receptors, DMT can temporarily alter brain activity, leading to shifts in perception, thought, and emotion. This can manifest as:
- Intense Visual and Auditory Hallucinations: Patients often report vivid, immersive visual patterns, geometric shapes, and complex scenes, along with altered auditory perceptions.
- Altered Sense of Time and Space: The experience can profoundly distort the perception of time, making minutes feel like hours, and alter one’s sense of their physical body and surroundings.
- Emotional and Spiritual Experiences: Many individuals report feelings of euphoria, profound introspection, self-reflection, and even spiritual or mystical insights, sometimes leading to a sense of ego dissolution or encounters with entities.
The exact mechanisms by which DMT exerts its therapeutic effects are still being researched, but it’s hypothesized that these intense experiences, when coupled with therapeutic support, may offer new perspectives, break negative thought patterns, and facilitate emotional processing.
Duration of Effects
One of the most distinctive features of DMT is its remarkably short duration of action. The onset of effects can be almost immediate, within seconds to minutes, and the peak experience typically lasts only 15 to 30 minutes, with the entire experience generally resolving within 30 to 45 minutes.
Sunstone’s Research with DMT
Sunstone is currently enrolling for the following studies:
- A Study to Assess the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of VLS-01 Buccal Film, Compared to Placebo in Patients With Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD)
- A Study of CYB004 (N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Analog) in Participants with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
These studies represent a critical step in understanding how DMT and its related compounds can be safely and effectively utilized as potential new treatments for challenging mental health conditions. Sunstone is committed to rigorous scientific inquiry and patient safety as we explore these promising avenues.
