research & development
We are working on several groundbreaking projects involving psychedelics. Our research focuses on the synthesis, extraction, purification, and characterization of DMT from the Mimosa tenuiflora (Jurema-Preta) tree. We explore DMT's function, its safety and tolerability, its effects on cognition, biochemistry, and brain activity, as well as the antidepressant properties of both DMT and ketamine. Our goal is to enhance the understanding and application of psychedelics in mental health, ensuring optimal efficacy while minimizing risk and cost.
WHAT ARE PSYCHEDELICS?
Psychedelics, such as LSD, psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms), and DMT (found in ayahuasca and jurema), are substances capable of inducing experiences of altered consciousness, often profound and intense from an emotional and mental perspective. They can cause intense changes in visual and auditory perception, ego dissolution, and mystical or spiritual experiences. Hence their name: psychedelic means "mind manifestation." Psychedelics mainly work by stimulating the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor in the brain
PSYCHEDELICS
PSYCHEDELICS
PSYCHEDELICS
PSYCHEDELICS
PSYCHEDELICS
PSYCHEDELICS
PSYCHEDELICS
PSYCHEDELICS
PSYCHEDELICS
Our
projects
Obtaining and characterizing DMT
The Mimosa tenuiflora tree, also known as Jurema Preta, occurs naturally in the drylands of the Brazilian Northeast. Its roots and bark contain fairly large amounts of DMT. This series of studies involve understanding the functions of DMT, its biosynthesis, and optimization of its synthesis, extraction, and purification using a green chemistry.
Pre-clinical studies with DMT
We develop new tools, techniques and compounds that must be evaluated by pre-clinical studies to test safety and toxicity of DMT in animal models. This unit also want to expand our knowledge about the underlining mechanisms by which the DMT exert its therapeutic effects, by different tools including genes, behavior, and electrophysiology.
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DMT safety
and tolerability
We investigate the safety and tolerability of DMT by inspecting the DMT dose range, subjective experiences (intensity, valence, and phenomenology), physiological effects (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, body temperature), biochemical markers (liver, kidney, and metabolic functions), and adverse events during the acute and post-acute effects of DMT.
DMT, cognition
the brain
We evaluate the acute and subacute effects of vaporized DMT on the cognition, biochemistry, and brain activity. We are using electroencephalography (EEG) to record the brain activity, questionnaires and language processing for cognition, and biochemistry changes. This allows the understand of the acute and subacute effects of DMT in different processes and systems.
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DMT for depression
We investigate the antidepressant effects of vaporized DMT. Our preliminary evidence suggests that our non-invasive DMT route of administration is safe, well tolerated, with significant and rapid antidepressant effects even in patients with treatment-resistant depression. We are now increasing the number of patients and also explores changes in a panel of molecular biomarkers.
Ketamine for depression
Ketamine is an anesthetic that acts as a rapid antidepressant, with effects within about 24 hours. Since 2021, we have been studying subcutaneous esketamine for depression. Our data showed a 52% response rate and 30% remission rate. The ongoing second phase includes ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, aiming to improve outcomes. Our research also explores changes in molecular biomarkers.
