List of Companies Creating New DMT Therapies

The technology behind DMT therapies is pretty futuristic — AI programs are used to find new analogs or delivery methods like dissolving transdermal microneedle patches.

Drug production methods range from algae and yeasts for production or other novel extraction and purification techniques geared toward lowering environmental impact, safety, and purity of novel compounds, and of course, generating patentable (monetizable) intellectual property.

This article covers the products and strategies of companies pursuing N,N-DMT, and 5-MeO-DMT. Drug development and its associated treatments are competitive and secretive, so this article includes only information companies have chosen to make public. You can find more details of unsealed patents here.

Expected treatments include depression, anxiety, and addiction. Later in the article, we explore a few companies that have stated intentions to develop DMT-based treatments for conditions like glaucoma and Alzheimer’s disease.

Summary: List of Companies Developing New DMT-Based Drugs

1. Cybin (CYB004)
2. GH Research (GH001, 2, and 3)
3. Beckley Psytech (BPL-003)
4. Psilera (PSIL-001 & PSIL-002)
5. Small Pharma (SPL026)
6. Biomind Labs (BMND08)

What Is the Difference Between N,N-DMT & 5-MeO-DMT?

Before diving into the different companies and treatments, it’s important to understand this article includes both N,N-DMT, and 5-MeO-DMT. These are different compounds with unique effects. The two are clearly related chemically, but 5-MeO-DMT contains an extra methoxy group attached to its primary indole ring, thought to increase its binding efficacy to certain receptors in our bodies.

There are many DMT analogs, but companies are mostly basing their products on these two compounds:

5-MeO-DMT

Considered more powerful than N,N-DMT and often creating experience often described as “nondual” or “ineffable.” The compound is sometimes harvested from the Bufo Alavarius toad and is the source of “toad licking” myths.

Learn more about 5-MeO-DMT here.

N,N-DMT

Also extremely powerful and known as the “Spirit Molecule” from the documentary and research conducted by Rick Strassman. It’s the compound that Terence Mckenna famously described as being a gateway to meeting “the machine elves.”

Companies Developing DMT Therapies for Depression & Anxiety

Using psychedelics to treat anxiety and depression holds great promise. Yet the commitment and cost of a day-long journey supervised by therapists have many questioning how such a practice could ever scale.

However, DMT is jokingly known as the “businessman’s trip” since it has the potential to give out-of-body experiences in under an hour — and psychedelic businesses have taken notice. Its rapid effects make DMT treatments effective at far lower costs than psychedelics like psilocybin or MDMA, which can also help depression and anxiety.

Most companies use proprietary analog compounds of DMT developed in-house. They administer compounds in various forms mimicking ayahuasca — sublingually (under the tongue), intranasal sprays, or patches to absorb DMT through the skin.

Yet, the treatment of human beings is where the rubber hits the road. DMT’s ability to reliably put people into ineffable mystical states, which are potentially linked to positive outcomes, is impressive.

Equally, eyebrow-raising studies show DMT’s ability to stimulate nerve growth and elevate brain-derived nerve growth factor (BDNF), and active sigma 1, among other things [1].

Here is a breakdown of the current companies:

1. Cybin

Cybin uses an N,N-DMT analog known as CYB004, which is currently undergoing trials.

Their stated intent is focused on the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

CEO of Cybin, Doug Drysdale, says “[the company’s] subcutaneous injection formulation is designed to avoid the need for an IV infusion pump and avoid the need for specialist equipment, staffing, training, and limit the treatment session to 45-60 mins.”

2. GH Research

GH Research is working with GH001, GH002, and GH003, which are proprietary versions of inhalable, injectable, and intranasal 5-MeO-DMT for depression. Early trials report that treatment-resistant depression brought on “ultra-rapid” remission in 87% of volunteers.

3. Beckley Psytech

Beckley Psytech is working on a novel synthetic formulation of 5-MeO-DMT called BPL-003 for treatment-resistant depression, the current study focuses on the effects of a single dose.

4. Psilera

Psilera uses an AI named “Third Eye” to map out early-stage drug development. The goal is to create non-hallucinogenic DMT analogs with rapid antidepressant effects named PSIL-001 and PSIL-002.

5. Small Pharma

With their own N,N-DMT analog SPL026, Small Pharma is exploring the effects on depression with intravenous injection. Early results show a 57% remission rate 12 weeks after treatment (with supportive therapy).

Companies Developing DMT Therapies for Addiction

Another promising area for DMT is addiction. Many users of ayahuasca document reports of relief.

Biotech is now looking for new ways of delivering DMT and 5-MeO-DMT to people with addictions to alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs.

Here are some groups looking at addiction:

1. Alavarius

Without a proprietary compound, Alavarius Pharmaceuticals is exploring 5-MeO-DMT for addiction to alcohol, opioids, and stimulants. They’re also examining the effects of substance abuse by studying genomes and proteins with the hope of using 5-MeO to treat brain damage.

2. MindMed

MindMed is testing N,N-DMT with a method of injection designed to prolong the DMT experience or to end a challenging experience potentially. MindMed mentioned inspiration from ayahuasca’s potential to treat addiction in a press release.

3. Entheon

Entheon recently completed research regarding the effects of a deuterated version of DMT on nicotine users. However, Cybin acquired the research with the stated goal of treating anxiety disorders.

Companies Developing Other DMT-Based Treatments

DMT research is just beginning, and the applications of characteristics like the generation of new neural growth have yet to be fully integrated into medicine [3].

Several companies have publicized their intentions to use DMT in ways not found in the scientific literature of academic institutions.

Below are several companies working towards trials in previously unexplored areas.

1. Biomind Labs (Alzheimer’s Disease)

Biomind Labs has six different N,N-DMT, and 5-MeO-DMT analogs and several delivery methods. These include 3D printing to personalize the oral delivery of compounds and the development of a nasal gel. They have also publicized the development of transdermal patches to deliver DMT and 5-MeO. The patches rapidly dissolve and sustain the release of the compounds with microneedle arrays delivering the compounds to the blood vessels beneath the skin.

BioMind is pursuing the use of its compound BMND08 as a sublingual formula of 5-MeO-DMT and an MAOI making the compound orally active. BioMind has stated it will examine the potential of these treatments to “improve the quality of life” of those suffering from a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s. Other conditions mentioned on the BioMind website are fibromyalgia, eating disorders, and chronic pain. However, the specifics of the compounds and the status of trials are not public.

A subsidiary of Core One Labs, named Akome Biotech, also mentions the treatment of Alzheimer’s with the compound AK002 on their website, along with Parkinson’s (AK004). The company filed for patents of their DMT analogs but has not sent news about progress for some time.

2. Algernon Pharmaceuticals (DMT for Stroke & Traumatic Brain Injury)

Algernon Pharmaceuticals has been working with AP-188, a proprietary compound based on N,N-DMT, to increase the growth of neurons. The treatment would use sub-hallucinogenic doses and short exposure times to direct DMT’s neuroplastic effects toward stroke and traumatic brain injury (TMI)

The company began with a focus on stroke but added traumatic brain injury because of the commonalities between the two. There are also no approved drugs for traumatic brain injury.

Based on existing research, Algernon hopes DMT’s action around neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and other variables will apply to both conditions. Stroke and TMI also correlate with levels of brain-derived nerve growth factor, or BDNF, which DMT may impact.

Akome Biotech also mentions stroke on its website, with AK001.

3. Pharmadrug (DMT for Glacoma)

The details we know about PharmaDrug’s strategy focus on treating glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness. The company is working with three DMT analogs, and the specifics of the compounds are not disclosed. Tryptamines have shown promise as topical treatments for glaucoma, as certain functions in the eye relate to serotonin receptors. The company has found results suggesting that its DMT analogs activate protective signaling pathways in cells.

The challenge has been delivering the drugs in the correct amounts to something as sensitive as the eye. A device is being developed in partnership with the Terasaki Institute. The treatment is not psychedelic and is yet to be tested in humans.

PharmaDrug also has expressed interest in applying DMT to organ transplants; however, news on this topic has been quiet for some time.

FAQs: DMT Therapies

1. Can DMT Cure Depression?

While DMT might help depression, evidence shows that it can improve symptoms in some people but not necessarily cure it [4]. It is true that some people report full recovery, but this is a minority of people. However, studies and anecdotal reports suggest that some people can enter into a more desirable state of mental health after 5-MeO-DMT or N,N-DMT.

2. Can DMT Cure Anxiety?

Saying that DMT can cure anxiety might be misleading. Some people’s conditions improved after using 5-MeO-DMT, but the compound is not a magic pill. Some science shows that a single dose of 5-MeO with no therapy can improve anxiety symptoms, but it is difficult to predict how each individual will react [5].

3. How Do I Join DMT Research Trials?

DMT research in humans is being conducted or planned by companies listed above and institutions like the Imperial College of London. Gaining access to these trials often requires meeting very specific mental and physical health parameters. It is pretty difficult to get accepted to a clinical trial as there are limited spots.