Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians—5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT)

Background: 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), also officially known as Mebufotenin, is a naturally occurring serotonergic psychedelic alkaloid found in the venom of the Sonoran Desert toad (Incilius alvarius) and various plant species. Areas of Uncertainty: Trace levels of 5-MeO-DMT may be produced endogenously in humans, but its physiological role remains unclear. Safety profiles indicate low risk in controlled settings, though longer-term follow-ups with human subjects may be needed. Phenomenological overlaps with near-death experiences (NDEs) are noted but debated.Therapeutic Advances: Clinical trials have demonstrated rapid antidepressant effects. Top-line data from a recent Phase 2b trial showed that 57.5% of participants remitted from treatment-resistant depression (TRD) within eight days.1 Other Phase 2a and 2b trials have provided further, though still preliminary, evidence that 5-MeO-DMT may reduce depressive symptoms more than existing pharmacological treatments, like SSRIs.2–6Limitations: Most studies are early-phase with small samples (n ≤ 193). Only two double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCT) have been conducted in clinical populations, and long-term effects require further investigation.Conclusions: Emerging evidence supports 5-MeO-DMT as a promising, ultra-short-acting psychedelic for TRD and other psychiatric conditions, warranting larger RCTs.