Mindfulness and compassion are crucial skills for mental health, often cultivated through meditation. However, these practices require time, discipline, and motivation – factors that are frequently lacking in individuals struggling with conditions such as depression, anxiety, or addiction. This challenge has fueled growing interest in fast-acting and effective interventions, including the therapeutic use of psychedelic substances.
In a study led by Milan Scheidegger, the research team evaluated the effects of a formulation containing DMT and harmine – compounds inspired by ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew traditionally used by Indigenous peoples of the Amazon in ritual, spiritual, and medicinal contexts. The trial, conducted with 31 healthy volunteers, followed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design.
The results showed significant, though temporary, increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, and compassion for others, particularly among participants more sensitive to the substance. Harmine alone had an effect only on self-compassion. Despite the potential, the effects did not persist after one and four months, suggesting that the absence of an integration context (such as psychotherapy or contemplative practices) may limit long-term benefits.
This research reinforces the value of psychedelics as tools to induce adaptive mental states, pointing toward new therapeutic approaches that combine pharmacology and psychological integration in the treatment of mental health.
This study was published in the scientific journal Journal of Psychopharmacology, in the article Enhancing mindfulness and compassion through an ayahuasca-inspired formulation containing N,N-DMT and harmine: A randomized controlled trial in healthy subjects, as a part of research project 333/20 - Mindfulness and psychedelics: A neurophenomenological approach to the characterization of acute and sustained response to DMT in experienced meditators, supported by the BIAL Foundation.
ABSTRACT
Background:
Mindfulness and compassion are therapeutically relevant and can be increased through different forms of meditation practices. However, meditation practice needs time and commitment. These resources are often limited in patients with mood disorders. Therefore, efficacious remedies that increase mindfulness and compassion could provide therapeutic options. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between psychedelic experiences induced by an ayahuasca-inspired N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT)/harmine formulation on mindfulness and compassion in healthy subjects.
Methods:
This study applies a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled within-subjects design in a laboratory setting with 31 healthy participants. Each subject received a formulation comprising DMT + harmine, harmine + placebo, and placebo only on three different study days. Primary outcomes were mindfulness (MINDSENS) and compassion (SOCS).
Results:
A significant effect of the drug on mindfulness (p < 0.05, F = 3.41), self-compassion (SOCS-S; p < 0.01, F = 7.53), and compassion with others (SOCS-O; p < 0.05, F = 3.37) 1 day post-treatment was found. Significant differences between the high- and low-sensitivity groups were found for mindfulness (p < 0.05, F = 6.54), self-compassion (p < 0.05, F = 4.21), and compassion with others (p < 0.05, F = 4.42).
Conclusions:
In line with previous studies on traditional botanical ayahuasca, our findings support the notion that the DMT/harmine formulation might have therapeutic potential through its ability to acutely enhance mindfulness and compassion. Continuing studies in therapeutic settings are needed to further elucidate the mechanisms of action of ayahuasca-inspired formulations.
