5-MeO-DMT Scientific Research with Dr. Joseph Barsuglia

Dr. Joseph Peter Barsuglia is a clinical psychologist focused on bridging ancestral medicines and wisdom with best clinical practices, in order to catalyze personal healing and spiritual awakening. He has worked as Research Director of a psychedelic treatment center which utilized 5-MeO-DMT and ibogaine for the treatment of addiction, as a psychotherapist in the MAPS-sponsored trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, and is an initiate of the African tradition called Bwiti which uses iboga as its sacrament.

In this episode, Dr. Barsuglia discusses what happens to the body when 5-MEO-DMT is consumed. He also discusses the origins and history of 5-MEO-DMT, as well as some of the scientific research being conducted on the molecule. He also shares some research on how he observed the mystical effects 5-MEO-DMT had on patients and some of the consistent experiences patients described.

The increasing popularity of this psychedelic often brings up a discussion on the environmental impact of harvesting Sonoran Desert toads. Dr. Barsuglia uses this to discuss differences between synthetic vs naturally occurring 5-MEO-DMT, and how synthetic developments can help protect the environment and preserve tribal tradition.

In this episode:

The sources of 5-MEO-DMT and how it is used
The historical, cultural, and environmental significance of 5-MEO-DMT
The effects of 5-MEO-DMT on the body and common experiences from participants
Current scientific research on this plant medicine
The differences between natural and synthetic 5-MEO-DMT

Quotes:

“This is one of the oldest psychedelics found in archeology.” [8:30]

“Some kind of basic science studies on cell lines that showed that 5-MEO-DMT does in fact stimulate brain cell growth, antidepressant properties, and might boost the immune system.” [13:24]

“In many psychedelics, you are getting formed visuals, you can kind of interact with what’s happening. This medicine kind of takes you beyond your biography, beyond your memory, beyond form into a very energetic experience.” [16:07]

"80 percent, I think, of people that had this experience said it was profoundly sacred or holy." [28:48]

“I also think that people don't need to be demonized that are using this medicine.” [51:31]

Here are links to the research articles mentioned in the episode:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6292276/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0079612318300931?via%3Dihub

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0269881118769063

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00952990.2018.1545024?journalCode=iada20