A groundbreaking new study reveals that the psychedelic compound N,N-dimethyltryptamine—better known as DMT—profoundly changes the brain’s activity by reducing the “control energy” needed to shift between mental states, opening a fresh window into the biological mechanisms of altered consciousness. The findings, recently published in Communications Biology, not only enhance scientific understanding of psychedelics but could hold long-term implications for mental health research in Thailand and around the world (psypost.org).
As interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies grows globally and regionally, including in Thailand’s academic and healthcare circles, this innovative research stands out for mapping the moment-to-moment changes in brain network flexibility experienced under DMT—a compound central to indigenous Amazonian practices and increasingly, to scientific study. In contrast to many other psychedelics, DMT’s extremely short duration—inducing intense hallucinations and altered states for roughly 20 minutes—provides researchers the unique opportunity to capture the entire experience in real time using advanced brain imaging tools.
The scientists involved, primarily from the Penn Lifespan Informatics & Neuroimaging Center at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, recruited 20 healthy adult volunteers. Each participant underwent two sessions, spaced two weeks apart. In one, they received intravenous DMT; in the other, a placebo. Functional MRI and EEG recordings during each 28-minute scan provided high-resolution insight into brain activity, while participants rated the intensity of their experiences on a minute-by-minute basis.
Central to the study was the use of “network control theory”—a mathematical approach used to estimate how much neuronal energy is required for the brain to transition between different patterns of activity. The research revealed that during the DMT session, the brain consistently required less control energy to shift between states compared to placebo. In other words, DMT appeared to lubricate the gears of mental experience, allowing thoughts and perceptions to flow and transform with less biological resistance.
This reduction in control energy correlated closely with two core features of the psychedelic experience: increased signal diversity in brain waves, which is viewed as a marker of expanded consciousness, and the self-reported intensity of the psychedelic state. In brain regions densely populated with serotonin 2a receptors—involved in perception, cognition, and mood—the effect was particularly pronounced. Noteworthy networks in the brain, such as the visual system, frontoparietal network (involved in attention and cognition), and the default mode network (linked to self-reflection), showed the strongest changes. Interestingly, those changes followed different timelines: networks related to self-referential thinking were calmer earlier, while visual processing effects appeared later and lasted longer.
As the study’s lead postdoctoral fellow at PennLINC explained, “There’s a lot happening and we’re still working to understand what it all means.” The research team cross-referenced their brain imaging with PET scans mapping the density of various serotonin receptors, finding that only the 2a subtype was a strong predictor of how DMT shifted brain dynamics. This validated a growing body of evidence, including previous global psychedelic studies, that places serotonin 2a at the heart of profound shifts in conscious awareness (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; nature.com).
The findings are striking not only for their technical precision, but for their implications. By temporarily lowering the threshold for switching between mental states, DMT may facilitate the exploration of a wider spectrum of thoughts, feelings, and perceptual experiences. This may help explain why users, including in traditional contexts such as ayahuasca ceremonies, report not only vivid visions but also deep insights and shifts in personal perspective.
While the research holds clear promise for advancing understanding of the brain under psychedelics, it also carries important caveats. With just 14 participants in the final analysis (after accounting for technical exclusions), the study is limited by its small size. Further, its “single-blind” rather than “double-blind” design leaves some room for expectation effects. Still, by using sophisticated modeling and cross-referencing with established neuroreceptor maps, the authors were able to lend considerable weight to their conclusions.
For Thailand, where interest in both traditional herbal medicine and modern therapies is surging, the research could hold several applications. Scientists at leading Thai universities and psychiatric hospitals have shown increasing curiosity about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, especially for conditions such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety—ailments that often resist conventional treatments (mahidol.ac.th); Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine). Although psychedelics remain strictly regulated in Thailand, international findings such as this may eventually spur further clinical studies under medical supervision, especially as peer nations in Southeast Asia gradually shift their policies toward scientific use.
Thailand’s own cultural history provides additional context. While DMT-rich plants are not native to the kingdom, the ceremonial use of mind-altering substances is deeply woven into local and regional traditions—from kratom leaf (recently decriminalized) to betel nut and ancient Buddhist meditation practices focused on altered consciousness. As Thai society grapples with rapid modernization and the search for mental well-being, such studies highlight the importance of understanding both the biological bases and the cultural meanings of profound mental states.
Looking ahead, the implications stretch far beyond recreational use or even traditional ceremonies. Network control theory as applied in this study could pave the way for entirely new classes of psychiatric treatments—so-called “precision psychedelics”—tailored to individual brain chemistry and receptor profiles. By simulating the effects of drugs like DMT using only structural brain scans and pharmacological models, scientists may one day predict who will benefit most, while also minimizing risks such as adverse reactions or unwanted psychological disturbances.
For Thai researchers or healthcare policymakers considering eventual clinical applications, there remain critical hurdles: robust safety protocols, double-blind larger-scale trials, cultural adaptation of therapy protocols, and strong regulatory guidance. At the same time, the prospect of unlocking new, rapid-acting treatments for persistent mood disorders—particularly ones that integrate the wisdom of global and Thai traditions—offers genuine hope.
For the general Thai public, the practical takeaway is one of curiosity balanced by caution. Psychedelics, including DMT, are powerful substances whose full risks and benefits are just beginning to be mapped by science. Reputable studies point to their potential, but also to the need for careful oversight, professional guidance, and respect for cultural context. As Thai researchers contribute more to the international scientific conversation, new discoveries about the brain’s ability to “loosen the reins” under the right conditions may one day shape the future of mental health care in the kingdom.
For now, Thai readers are encouraged to stay up-to-date with trusted local and global health sources, support evidence-based mental health innovation, and—where personal interest or family history is concerned—consult with licensed medical professionals about any questions regarding psychedelic substances. As both tradition and technology converge, the story of how DMT and other compounds interact with the uniquely human mind is still unfolding—promising deeper understanding, greater compassion, and perhaps new avenues for healing.
Sources:
- Scientists reveal how DMT alters brain activity and consciousness by lowering control energy
- Serotonin and psychedelic drug action in the human brain
- LSD modulates the dynamic exploration of brain states
- Mahidol University: Psychedelic research in Thailand (Thai)
- Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine