Please find attached the most recent paper on dmt. The research this article presents was set to indentify mechanism that could account for the action of dmt on its newly identified sigma-1 receptor as well its other effects as a neurotransmitter.

Even though dmt has been demonstrated to be a ligand for the intracellular sigma-1 receptor, this evidence is coming from only in vitro studies. The problem is that it is not known whether in physiological conditions enough dmt would ever be available intracellularly so as to activate the sigma-1 receptors. Note that a relatively high amount of dmt is
required to activate the said receptors.

The authors demonstrate that DMT (as well as MIPT, DPT and DIPT) is transported inside the cells from the intercellular using via the membrane serotonin transporter (SERT). They also demonstrate that DMT, MIPT, DPT and DIPT are substrates of the vesicle monoamine transporter (VMAT2). So what this all mean in simple words?

People are more-or-less familiar with the action of the neurotransmitter serotonin; it is released into the intercellular space of the synapse from the presynaptic cell and it stumulates the neighbouring postsynaptic cell. Unused serotonin is absorbed back in the presynaptic cell via the SERT, it is packed in vesicles via the VMAT2 and then it is released again. DMT appears to work in the same fashion. The data of the paper suggest that once DMT is administered (smoked, aya, IV etc) it has the following modes of action:

1. It reaches the synapses where it binds to its receptors and exerts its effects
2. It is then absorbed inside the neurons and exerts its effects on the intracellular sigma-1 receptors.
3. Finally it is packed inside the presynaptic vesicles and it is released again in the synaptic space to act again on the cereptors.

Step 1 is the immediate one that accounts for DMT's primary effects. Steps 2 and 3 may account for things like the afterglow post smoking dmt as well for subtler long term effects.

Enjoy!

great post thanks for the info... it's always good to find new research on substance

Thanks, Infundiblum! Can't wait to read it! This will surely reawaken much of the old curiosity about this remarkable compound.

Cool study. Will check it out.

Quick question are the sigma 1 receptors membrane bound? If so are they on the inside of cell membrane or do they hang out somewhere else like endoplasmic reticulum or whatever else is membrane like.?