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A psychedelic surprise: DMT helps the brain heal after stroke
- Date:
- Source:
- HUN-REN Szegedi Biológiai Kutatóközpont
- Summary:
- Scientists have discovered that DMT, a natural compound found in plants and even the human brain, can dramatically reduce brain damage caused by stroke. The psychoactive molecule, long known for its hallucinogenic effects, restored the blood-brain barrier and reduced inflammation in animal and cell studies. These findings suggest that DMT could complement existing stroke treatments, potentially transforming recovery outcomes.
FULL STORY
DMT, or dimethyltryptamine is a natural psychoactive molecule found in many plants and mammals. According to an article published in Science Advances, researchers from the HUN-REN BRC Institute of Biophysics and Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Centre found that DMT reduces the harmful effects of stroke in animal models and cell culture experiments.
A solution from nature in the spotlight
DMT is also present in the human brain, and it is currently undergoing clinical trials to aid recovery of brain function after stroke. However, its exact mechanism of action had not been fully understood until now. "It is amazing how we can always turn to Nature to find ingenious solutions for health problems" says co-lead author Mária Deli from the HUN-REN BRC.
The blood-brain barrier as a therapeutic target
"We found that DMT significantly reduced infarct volume and edema formation in a rat stroke model," explains co-first author Marcell László. In both animal experiments and cell culture models, the authors showed that DMT treatment restored the structure and function of the damaged blood-brain barrier and improved the function of astroglial cells. This psychoactive compound also inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines in brain endothelial cells and peripheral immune cells, while reduced the activation of brain microglia cells through Sigma-1 receptors.
DMT could serve as therapeutic adjuvant to existing stroke treatments
"The therapeutic options currently available for stroke are very limited. The dual action of DMT, protecting the blood-brain barrier while reducing brain inflammation, offers a novel, complex approach that could complement existing treatments," says Judit Vigh, co-first author of the work.
Since current stroke therapies do not always result in full recovery, a DMT-based treatment may represent a promising new alternative, mainly in combination with existing methods. The recent findings from researchers in Szeged and Budapest, Hungary, support the development of a therapy that goes beyond the limitations of conventional stroke treatment. Clinical trials on the use of DMT and investigation on its long-term effects are currently ongoing.
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Materials provided by HUN-REN Szegedi Biológiai Kutatóközpont. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Marcell J. László, Judit P. Vigh, Anna E. Kocsis, Gergő Porkoláb, Zsófia Hoyk, Tamás Polgár, Fruzsina R. Walter, Attila Szabó, Srdjan Djurovic, Béla Merkely, Alán Alpár, Ede Frecska, Zoltán Nagy, Mária A. Deli, Sándor Nardai. N , N -dimethyltryptamine mitigates experimental stroke by stabilizing the blood-brain barrier and reducing neuroinflammation. Science Advances, 2025; 11 (33) DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adx5958[1]
Cite This Page:
HUN-REN Szegedi Biológiai Kutatóközpont. "A psychedelic surprise: DMT helps the brain heal after stroke." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7 October 2025. <www.sciencedaily.com
HUN-REN Szegedi Biológiai Kutatóközpont. (2025, October 7). A psychedelic surprise: DMT helps the brain heal after stroke. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 7, 2025 from www.sciencedaily.com
HUN-REN Szegedi Biológiai Kutatóközpont. "A psychedelic surprise: DMT helps the brain heal after stroke." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com
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