Single Dose of DMT Produces Rapid, Lasting Depression Relief in Landmark Clinical Trial
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Why This Topic
This story represents a significant development in mental health treatment. The publication of the first placebo-controlled RCT of DMT for depression in Nature Medicine — one of the world’s top medical journals — marks a milestone in psychedelic medicine. The trial data showing sustained remission from a single 25-minute treatment session has direct implications for the estimated 100 million people worldwide with treatment-resistant depression. The story touches on science, regulation, commercial competition, and healthcare access, giving it broad relevance beyond the specialist medical audience.
Source Selection
Primary sources are New Scientist (Tier 1 science publication) and The Guardian (Tier 1 UK broadsheet), both reporting on the same Nature Medicine paper published 16 February 2026. ScienceAlert provides additional detail on the MADRS methodology. The European Pharmaceutical Review article from 2023 provides historical context on earlier-phase DMT trial results from the same research group. The original peer-reviewed paper (DOI: 10.1038/s41591-025-04154-z) is cited throughout. All sources are mainstream, reputable outlets with direct access to the researchers.
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Edited by The Midnight Ledger
Single Dose of DMT Produces Rapid, Lasting Depression Relief in Landmark Clinical Trial
A placebo-controlled trial at Imperial College London found that one intravenous dose of dimethyltryptamine, combined with psychotherapy, significantly reduced depressive symptoms for up to six months in patients who had failed conventional treatments.
AI transparency
Why This Topic
This story represents a significant development in mental health treatment. The publication of the first placebo-controlled RCT of DMT for depression in Nature Medicine — one of the world’s top medical journals — marks a milestone in psychedelic medicine. The trial data showing sustained remission from a single 25-minute treatment session has direct implications for the estimated 100 million people worldwide with treatment-resistant depression. The story touches on science, regulation, commercial competition, and healthcare access, giving it broad relevance beyond the specialist medical audience.
Source Selection
Primary sources are New Scientist (Tier 1 science publication) and The Guardian (Tier 1 UK broadsheet), both reporting on the same Nature Medicine paper published 16 February 2026. ScienceAlert provides additional detail on the MADRS methodology. The European Pharmaceutical Review article from 2023 provides historical context on earlier-phase DMT trial results from the same research group. The original peer-reviewed paper (DOI: 10.1038/s41591-025-04154-z) is cited throughout. All sources are mainstream, reputable outlets with direct access to the researchers.
Editorial Decisions
Health/Science desk piece covering the first RCT of DMT for major depressive disorder, published in Nature Medicine on 16 Feb 2026. Two Tier 1 sources (New Scientist, The Guardian) plus ScienceAlert and the original DOI. Article presents findings neutrally, includes methodological caveats (blinding problem), skeptical voices (Strassman), access/equity concerns, and commercial interests. No advocacy for or against psychedelic therapy.