Scientists discover psychedelic drug 5-MeO-DMT induces a state of "paradoxical wake"
PsyPost • • health
Key Points:
- A study published in Communications Biology found that the psychedelic drug 5-MeO-DMT induces a unique brain state in awake mice, characterized by brain waves typically seen in deep sleep alongside high physical arousal, suggesting a hybrid state dubbed "Paradoxical Wake."
- The research, led by Benjamin Bréantunder at the University of Oxford, showed that 5-MeO-DMT causes slow-wave brain activity and neuronal OFF-periods usually associated with non-REM sleep, even as mice remain active and alert with dilated pupils.
- Blocking specific serotonin receptors prevented some effects of the drug, indicating different chemical pathways control aspects of the psychedelic experience; localized brain injections failed to replicate effects, implying the state requires global brain network activation.
- Behavior
