Beyond The Brain: Heart Activity May Shape Psychedelic Experiences, Study Finds

A recent study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology sheds new light on how DMT, a powerful psychedelic, could impact both mental and physical well-being. The study found that profound, mystical experiences often reported by DMT users are closely linked to specific patterns of heart activity during the psychedelic experience. As PsyPost reported, these findings suggest that the body's autonomic nervous system, regulating stress and relaxation, may play a significant role in shaping the unique psychological effects of psychedelics.

The Role Of DMT And Autonomic Balance

DMT, or N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, naturally occurs in some plants and animals, including humans. Known for inducing brief but intense states of altered consciousness, DMT often triggers vivid hallucinations and feelings of unity with the universe, which can linger as lasting emotional insights and even improve mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.

Dr. Valérie Bonnelle, a cognitive neuroscience researcher and lead author of the study, first became interested in the connection between the heart and consciousness during a psilocybin trial. "During the experience, it felt as if my awareness was no longer emerging from my brain, but from my heart," Bonnelle shared. "This led me on a journey to explore how the body beyond the brain contributes to consciousness and the quality of our emotional experiences."

A Unique State Of “Sympathovagal Coactivation”

In a controlled trial with 17 participants, Bonnelle's team monitored cardiac activity during and after DMT administration. They found “sympathovagal coactivation,” which is the simultaneous activation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. This unusual balance was linked to mystical experiences, and participants reporting this state showed improved well-being in follow-ups two weeks later.

"DMT-induced ‘mystical' experiences appear to manifest in the body as an unusual state of coactivation of cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic activity," Bonnelle explained. "This paradoxical physiological state of peaceful activation was not only linked to spiritual and insightful experiences but also predictive of well-being improvement after the experience."

Autonomic State Predicts Trip Quality

The study found that participants with a balanced autonomic state before receiving DMT were more likely to report insightful and spiritual experiences, indicating that the body's physiological baseline may influence the depth of the psychedelic experience. “Lower sympathetic activation during DMT experiences was linked to more challenging outcomes, contrary to the expectation that a higher stress response would lead to more anxious experiences,” Bonnelle noted. She suspects that individuals resisting the experience due to fear or trauma might experience an uncomfortable, "in-between" state, lacking full immersion in the psychedelic journey.

This raises important questions for the field of psychedelic therapy, especially regarding patient preparation. “It's possible that for some individuals, much more preparatory work might be needed to overcome this mental and physiological brake that typically results in unpleasant experiences," Bonnelle suggested, particularly for individuals with trauma who may benefit from gentle preparation before using potent psychedelics.

Implications And Future Directions

Despite intriguing findings, broader research is needed for a more comprehensive view. Bonnelle suggests including additional physiological measures, like skin conductance or brain activity, and exploring techniques like meditation or breathwork to prepare individuals for psychedelics. She envisions biofeedback helping users optimize their physiological states, improving the safety and effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

"Thinking outside the brain seems to be a promising approach to scientifically address this uncharted territory," Bonelle said, emphasizing a broader perspective.