Scientists uncover fascinating link between psychedelic experiences and heart activity

A new study reveals a surprising link between mystical experiences induced by the psychedelic compound DMT and specific patterns of heart activity.

DMT (N, N-Dimethyltryptamine ) is a powerful, short-acting psychedelic known for inducing intense, non-ordinary states of consciousness.

Researchers found that a balance between the body’s sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems during the DMT experience was associated with spiritual insights during the “trip”.

DMT-induced mystical' experiences appear to manifest in the body as an unusual state of coactivation of cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic activity.

Those who experienced this coactivation during their DMT session reported higher well-being scores at the follow-up assessment.

Bonnelle was surprised to find that lower sympathetic activation during DMT experiences was linked to more challenging outcomes.

This limits their clinical deployment and wider use for achieving more flourishing human experiences. Thinking outside the brain’ seems to be a promising approach to scientifically address this uncharted territory and help bridge this gap.” The study, “Autonomic nervous system activity correlates with peak experiences induced by DMT and predicts increases in well-being”, was authored by Valerie Bonnelle , Amanda Feilding , Fernando E. Rosas , David J. Nutt , Robin L. Carhart-Harris , and Christopher Timmermann ..