A seasoned meditator, having dedicated 15 years to cultivating a quieted sense of self, exhibited brain patterns during intense psychedelic use that closely mirrored his meditative state. Neural imaging suggests a striking overlap in brain activity between non-dual meditation—a practice dissolving the self-world distinction—and the effects of a modest dose of a potent psychedelic.
Christopher Timmermann from University College London noted, “There seems to be, with that low dose [of the psychedelic], a significant overlap in terms of brain activity with what’s happening in non-dual meditation state.” This observation stems from burgeoning research into psychedelics, which scientists are investigating for their potential to deepen our understanding of consciousness and enhance mental well-being.
Exploring 5-MeO-DMT and Consciousness
The compound 5-MeO-DMT, obtainable from a North American toad species, has garnered particular scientific attention. Its ability to rapidly alter mental processing, coupled with less pronounced visual disturbances compared to other psychedelics, makes it a subject of interest for these studies.
Timmermann and his research team undertook a study to compare the impacts of 5-MeO-DMT-induced psychedelic experiences with those of advanced meditation techniques. Their participant was a lama, recognized as a master practitioner from the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, with an extensive record of over 54,000 hours dedicated to meditation.
Experimental Design and Initial Findings
Over three distinct laboratory sessions, the lama engaged in meditation for periods ranging from 30 to 60 minutes. Following these sessions, he received either a placebo or a low or high dose of 5-MeO-DMT. Throughout these varied states, researchers monitored his brain activity while also collecting his subjective accounts of thoughts and self-perception post-experimentation.
The findings revealed that a low dose of 5-MeO-DMT (5 milligrams) produced remarkable similarities in brain activity when compared to the lama’s meditative state. Specifically, brain scans indicated an increase in alpha power—brainwaves associated with relaxed wakefulness, internal focus, and reduced responsiveness to external stimuli—in both conditions relative to a placebo and his baseline state. Concurrently, both the low-dose psychedelic and meditation led to a decrease in gamma activity, a neural marker linked to active cognitive functions, attention, and memory recall.
Timmermann observed that both scenarios fostered a sense of equanimity, described as a state where thoughts emerged and quickly dissipated. However, he noted that meditation yielded a more profound sense of interconnectedness and mental clarity.
High Dose Effects and Neural Activity
The administration of a high dose of 5-MeO-DMT (12 milligrams) resulted in an increase in the lama’s gamma activity. Post-experience, he reported a complete detachment from his surroundings and self, including the sensation of an overwhelming white light. “There are no thoughts,” he recounted, describing a total loss of awareness regarding his body, the room, and everything else.
This higher dosage also correlated with increased neuronal firing and entropy—characterized by more unpredictable neural firing patterns—when contrasted with the placebo and his baseline. This suggests the substantial dose overwhelmed his sensory input and cognitive processes. In contrast, the low dose was associated with reduced neuronal firing and entropy.
Interpreting the Results and Limitations
The researchers suggest their findings contribute to linking specific neural pathways with experiences of “ego dissolution” and “contentless awareness.” Nevertheless, Matthew Sacchet of Harvard Medical School cautions that changes in brain activity do not inherently explain the subjective experiences. The study’s limitations include its reliance on a single, highly experienced participant, which may affect the broader applicability of the results. Furthermore, brain activity studies can sometimes be unreliable.
Blinding participants in psychedelic research presents a significant challenge, as the pronounced effects of hallucinogenic drugs typically reveal their administration to participants, unlike placebos. Although the lama did not report such immediate side effects, this remains a general difficulty in the field.
Future Directions and Alternatives
Despite these challenges, Timmermann believes further investigation could unlock benefits for a wider population, provided the safe application of 5-MeO-DMT demonstrates outcomes akin to advanced meditation. He is currently exploring whether the drug might accelerate the progress of novice meditators, though he strongly advises against personal experimentation, especially given that 5-MeO-DMT is prohibited for general use in many countries.
In the interim, Sacchet suggests that for individuals seeking the supposed mental health advantages associated with 5-MeO-DMT, meditation presents a practical route to achieving states that partially overlap with some psychedelic effects, all without the inherent risks of toxicity or addiction.