Phase 1 Trial to experiment with dosing methods to better understand how humans react to DMT, setting stage for future potential Phase 2a proof of concept trials
BASEL, Switzerland, June 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — MindMed will now pursue N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), the principally active ingredient in Ayahuasca, as part of its R&D collaboration with the University Hospital Basel’s Liechti Lab. MindMed is providing startup funding for a Phase 1 clinical trial testing various intravenous dosing regimens of DMT, expected to begin in Q4 of 2020.
DMT is a naturally-occurring psychedelic substance and is the active ingredient used in Ayahuasca ceremonies by indigenous Amazonian shamanic practitioners. DMT causes a rapid onset and offset of action compared to similar psychedelic substances such as psilocybin or LSD. When administered as an Ayahuasca brew, natural substances are mixed with DMT to prolong its experiential effects and slow the metabolism in the human body.
MindMed Co-Founder & Co-CEO JR Rahn said: “There is a growing trend in Western society to use Ayahuasca and DMT to facilitate a healing process for one’s mind. However, there is very limited safety data and clinical trials evaluating DMT as a potential medicine so we are going to double down on understanding the therapeutic opportunity and more effective ways to administer DMT in a controlled setting to achieve this healing process.”
Through this Phase 1 clinical trial, MindMed and the Liechti Lab are exploring how DMT can achieve experiential effects similar to Ayahuasca by testing a more
controlled intravenous dosing method.
There is non-clinical, anecdotal evidence which suggests DMT and Ayahuasca’s experiential effects are powerful healing tools for addiction disorders. The human safety data and associated knowhow gathered in this Phase 1 clinical trial will better enable MindMed’s clinical team to design future potential commercial drug development programs based on DMT sessions.