DMT Takes Center Stage in Groundbreaking Alcohol Addiction Trial

Exciting news in the world of psychedelic research! Scientists at University College London (UCL) are diving into a revolutionary study to see if a single dose of DMT—a powerful psychedelic found in the Amazonian brew Ayahuasca—can help people cut back on problematic alcohol consumption.

Why DMT? Traditional treatments for alcohol addiction haven’t seen major innovation in over 70 years, and relapse rates remain high. Enter DMT: known for its vivid, out-of-body experiences, the drug may help “rewire” the brain’s reward system that alcohol hijacks.

Here’s how the trial works:

• Volunteers, aged 21-65, receive a one-off intravenous dose of DMT or a placebo.
• While under the effects of DMT (which last about 15 minutes), participants undergo procedures designed to “reactivate” alcohol-related memories.
• The goal? To disrupt those memories and reduce drinking habits.

Participants also have their brains scanned while watching films featuring alcohol (think Withnail and I). Researchers are tracking their progress for up to nine months to see how effective the treatment is.

The trial is the largest of its kind for psychedelic brain imaging, involving 120 participants. If successful, it could pave the way for bigger studies and, eventually, a game-changing treatment for alcohol addiction.

While the buzz around psychedelics is growing, the team cautions against DIY approaches: “Effects outside a clinical setting may be wildly different,” says lead researcher Prof. Ravi Das.

Stay tuned—this is one psychedelic journey we’re excited to follow!

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Source: The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jan/17/psychedelic-drug-dmt-trialled-patients-treat-alcohol-addiction