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A Physician's Attempt to Self-Medicate Bipolar Depression with N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
Journal article   Peer reviewed

A Physician's Attempt to Self-Medicate Bipolar Depression with N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)

Tanida Brown, Wanda Shao, Shehzad Ayub, David Chong and Christian Cornelius
Journal of psychoactive drugs, Vol.49(4), pp.294-296
09/2017
PMID: 28686543

Abstract

Life Sciences & Biomedicine Psychology Psychology, Clinical Science & Technology Social Sciences Substance Abuse
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a psychoactive substance that has been gaining popularity in therapeutic and recreational use. This is a case of a physician who chronically took DMT augmented with phenelzine in an attempt to self-medicate refractory bipolar depression. His presentation of altered mental status, mania, and psychosis is examined in regards to his DMT use. This case discusses DMT, the possible uses of DMT, and the theorized mechanism of DMT in psychosis and treatment of depression, particularly involving its agonist activity at 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2C. It is also important to recognize the dangers of self-medication, particularly amongst physicians.

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