Zinger Key Points A study found mystical experiences reported by DMT users are closely linked to specific patterns of heart activity during the experience.
Autonomic nervous system, regulating stress and relaxation, may play a significant role in shaping the psychological effects of psychedelics
A recent study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology sheds new light on how DMT , a powerful psychedelic, could impact both mental and physical well-being. The study found that profound, mystical experiences often reported by DMT users are closely linked to specific patterns of heart activity during the psychedelic experience. As PsyPost reported , these findings suggest that the body’s autonomic nervous system, regulating stress and relaxation, may play a significant role in shaping the unique psychological effects of psychedelics . The Role Of DMT And Autonomic Balance
DMT, or N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, naturally occurs in some plants and animals, including humans. Known for inducing brief but intense states of altered consciousness , DMT often triggers vivid hallucinations and feelings of unity with the universe, which can linger as lasting emotional insights and even improve mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.
Dr. Valérie Bonnelle , a cognitive neuroscience researcher and lead author of the study, first became interested in the connection between the heart and consciousness during a psilocybin trial. "During the experience, it felt as if my awareness was no longer emerging from my brain, but from my heart," Bonnelle shared. "This led me on a journey to explore how the body beyond the brain contributes to consciousness and the quality of our emotional experiences." A Unique State Of “Sympathovagal Coactivation”
In a controlled trial with 17 participants, Bonnelle’s team monitored cardiac activity during and after DMT administration. They found “sympathovagal coactivation,” which is the simultaneous activation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. This unusual balance was linked to mystical experiences, and participants reporting this state showed improved well-being in follow-ups two weeks later.
"DMT-induced ‘mystical’ experiences appear to manifest in the body as an unusual state of coactivation of cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic activity," Bonnelle explained. "This paradoxical physiological state of peaceful […]
Beyond The Brain: Heart Activity May Shape Psychedelic Experiences, Study Finds
