New Hope on the Horizon: DMT Treatment Shows Promise for Alcohol Addiction

Have you ever wondered if there might be a different way to tackle alcohol problems? Maybe you've tried traditional treatments, or know someone who has, and found the results disappointing. Well, there's some exciting news coming from researchers in London that might change how we think about treating alcohol addiction. Scientists at University College London (UCL) are testing something that sounds like it comes straight from a science fiction novel – a powerful psychedelic drug called DMT that might help people reduce their drinking. And the best part? It might work after just one dose.

What is DMT and Where Does it Come From?

DMT (which stands for dimethyltryptamine) isn't some new lab-created chemical. It's actually been around for thousands of years. Indigenous groups in the Amazon rainforest have long used it in a brew called ayahuasca during healing ceremonies. "DMT is one of the most powerful psychoactive substances found in nature," explains Dr. Greg Cooper, a research fellow working on the UCL study. When people take it, they often experience what he describes as "total out-of-body experiences, fully immersive hallucinations, and entering colorful geometric landscapes. "That might sound scary to some folks, but these intense experiences might be exactly what makes DMT potentially helpful for breaking addiction patterns.

Why We Need New Approaches for Alcohol Problems

Let's face it – alcohol addiction is incredibly tough to overcome, and current treatments often fall short. Professor Ravi Das, who's co-leading the trial at UCL with Professor Jeremy Skipper, puts it bluntly: "For alcohol addiction, 50% of people relapse within three months and around 60-70% within three years. "Even more concerning, Professor Das points out that "treatment itself hasn't changed fundamentally in 70 years." That's right – we're still using approaches from the 1950s to treat one of our most common and destructive addictions. With alcohol problems continuing to rise globally (despite the impression that younger generations drink less), there's a desperate need for fresh ideas and new treatment options.

How the UCL Study Works

The UCL trial is breaking new ground as the largest psychedelic brain imaging study ever conducted. Here's how it works: Participants receive a single dose of DMT through an IV (intravenous line). Unlike ayahuasca, which can last for hours, pure DMT's effects only last about 15 minutes. Some participants get DMT, while others receive either a placebo or a non-hallucinogenic medication for comparison. The researchers use a special procedure to activate participants' alcohol-related reward memories. Then they assess whether DMT can interfere with these memories and reduce drinking urges. "Excessive drinking is partly driven by alcohol hijacking the brain's built-in motivation and reward system," explains Professor Das. "We are seeking to counteract that with our treatment. "During the study, volunteers get MRI brain scans while watching movie clips featuring alcohol (including scenes from films like "Withnail and I" and "The Trip"). Researchers then track participants for up to nine months to see if and how the treatment affects their drinking habits.

How Might DMT Help with Alcohol Problems?

There are a couple of theories about how DMT might help people drink less:

1. Brain Rewiring: One idea is that DMT makes the brain more flexible and open to new connections at the cellular level – what scientists call "neuroplasticity." This might help break entrenched drinking patterns.
2. Meaningful Experience: The intense, novel experience itself might serve as a powerful marker in someone's recovery journey. Professor Das explains: "They've already come into this study motivated to reduce their drinking and this novel experience may be like a way-marker in their journey that cements their commitment to drinking less."

The UCL team previously showed that ketamine (another substance with psychedelic properties) could help disrupt harmful behavior patterns. DMT might work in similar ways, but with some advantages – it's considered safer and its effects don't last as long, making it potentially more practical to use in treatment settings.

Early Results and Safety Considerations

While the study is still ongoing, a few volunteers have already begun the trial, which will eventually include 120 participants. Dr. Cooper notes that "people seem to find the experience rewarding but not necessarily something they'd want to do recreationally. "It's important to understand that this research is being conducted under careful medical supervision. The researchers strongly caution against trying to self-medicate with psychedelics at home. "I would strongly caution against attempting to self-medicate with psychedelics at home," warns Professor Das. "With DMT – and all the psychedelics research coming out – it's milligram doses we're talking about, and effects outside of a clinical setting may be wildly different."

What This Could Mean for the Future

If the UCL study shows promising results, it could pave the way for a larger phase 3 clinical trial – the final step before a treatment might become widely available. This research represents a bold new direction in addiction treatment. Rather than requiring daily medication or years of therapy, it suggests the possibility that a single, powerful experience might help reset problematic drinking patterns. For the millions of people worldwide struggling with alcohol problems, this innovative approach offers something that's been in short supply: hope for a different way forward.

Want to Learn More?

The UCL study is currently recruiting volunteers who are regular drinkers aged 21 to 65 and don't have a formal diagnosis of alcohol disorder. If you're interested in learning more about psychedelic research for addiction, the UCL team's work represents just one of several promising studies happening around the world. As our understanding of the brain and addiction continues to evolve, treatments like DMT might eventually become important tools in helping people overcome alcohol problems and reclaim their lives.*This article is based on research from University College London's ongoing clinical trial of DMT for alcohol addiction. 

Source: The Guardian