I’m learning about chemical compounds in organic chemistry and this is a topic I was curious about recently. More specifically, what is the role of DMT, the pineal gland, and monoamine oxidase in psychosis or mania? How do these molecules interact in a normal patient versus someone who has bipolar for example?
interesting angle on this topic think this is worth discussing
Thank you, I am very curious about this. Most answers and articles online mention there is more research to be done but there are many theories. I am curious as to what other people think about this topic and what its implications are. Perhaps knowing more about this can help us to understand ways to treat mania and psychosis and the role of DMT in these cases. For example, because monoamine oxidase (MOA) breaks down DMT, maybe if someone has a deficiency of MOA, it’s a trigger for mania or psychosis.
Psychosis and mania are usually linked to dopamine and serotonin imbalances, not DMT
The pineal gland makes melatonin, which helps control your sleep-wake cycle. It also has the enzymes needed to make DMT, but actual levels are very low
Because DMT acts on serotonin receptors (specifically 5-HT2A), some researchers have speculated that if DMT levels were high (or if MAO activity were very low), it could contribute to hallucinatory state. But that's yet to be substantiated
MAO inhibitors (certain antidepressants) can worsen mania by increasing monoamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin), but this is more about classic neurotransmitters
Frankly, we don't see higher amounts of DMT in bipolar subjects. Just issues with MAO suppression
Thank you for your response! I appreciate it. I had read some studies saying that there were higher amounts of DMT in patients with mania. That’s why I was curious about the correlation.
I am particularly fascinated by how antipsychotics act on dopamine and how incredible it is that we have those medications that can be used to help patients and control symptoms.