We have quite a few psychedelics in our range of products, here at Avalon Magic Plants. Magic mushroom grow kits, magic truffles, peyote cacti, LSA seeds… take your pick! One of the more extreme psychedelics, DMT, is found in the Amazonian brew Ayahuasca. But other than causing a life-changing psychedelic experience, DMT might just prove it’s worth in the medical world. Researchers have now begin trialing the use of DMT as a treatment for stroke patients.

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DMT and strokes - what’s the deal?

As we have talked about before, the world’s psychedelic substances have been gaining lots of attention in the medial and scientific field. A former study on rats has shown that DMT might help the brain repair itself following injury. If results are positive, DMT could potentially become a first-line medication for stroke, given to patients while in the ambulance in order to limit the amount of brain damage that occurs.

None other than Dr. Rick Strassman is leading the study. Strassman famously labeled DMT ‘The Spirit Molecule’ and quite literally wrote the book about the substance. His work was later turned into a popular documentary, co-produced by Strassman and narrated by comedian, psychedelics enthusiast and mixed martial arts pundit Joe Rogan. Safe to say Dr. Strassman knows what he is talking about when it comes to DMT, also known as Dimethyltryptamine.

Also read: Man injects magic mushrooms and they continue to grow in his body

Micro-dosing DMT

And while the extreme effects of DMT might not seem like the best choice for stroke victims, Strassman begs to differ, but with a twist. He insists that only “sub-psychedelic doses” will be used for this purpose. “You want to avoid the psychedelic effect because you don’t want a stroke patient tripping,” he told IFLScience, an amazingly interesting and funny website about science. What they basically will be doing is microdosing DMT.

This won’t be the first study on DMT. Former studies have shown that DMT helps to keep brain cells alive when oxygen is cut off, promotes neuroplasticity, and encourages neurogenesis or the formation of new neurons. “So with respect to stroke, it makes perfect sense, because you’d be giving DMT in conditions where you need neuroplasticity, neurogenesis and protection from hypoxia,” says Strassman. In a study conducted last year, rats that had undergone stroke displayed reduced brain injuries and increased motor function after being given DMT.

Also read: UFC’s Dana White looking into psychedelic microdosing for fighters

Improving neuroplasticity without psychedelic effects

It seems like a simple fact: DMT has some amazing effects in the human body. But while this seems to be the case, the psychedelic and hallucinogenic effects can be extreme. This is why Strassman is now hoping to answer the question “whether or not the neuroplastic, neurogenerative and neurotrophic effects of DMT can be attained without the psychedelic effects”. Simply put: can you microdose DMT to actually benefit from it’s effects?

The first part of the study is expected to begin “in the next three to six months”, according to Chris Moreau, whose company Algernon Pharmaceuticals is funding the trial. “We’re looking to start a Phase II in early 2022, but if we get our Phase I started earlier we might even get to a Phase II before the end of this year,” he says.

In the first phase, only healthy participants will be observed to determine the dose of DMT that can be used without producing psychedelic effects. Another important aspect in this phase is monitoring blood pressure while using DMT - something that’s a major concern for stroke victims. To be continued!