Reviving Indigenous Brazilian Root as a Promising Anti-Depressant Treatment

Long utilized in traditional Indigenous rituals across Brazil, the root of the Jurema Preta plant—rich in the psychedelic compound dimethyltryptamine (DMT)—is now being explored as a potential novel therapy for depression. This plant, often available at street stalls where medicinal herbs are sold, contains DMT, a powerful hallucinogen that has shown encouraging results in recent studies for alleviating depressive symptoms.

In 2016, Guaracy Carvajal, a 31-year-old software developer suffering from chronic depression since adolescence, followed online instructions to extract DMT from roots purchased from street vendors. He reported that the experience induced feelings of resolution and clarity, likening it to "solving something in his life." His trial highlights the growing interest in the substance's therapeutic potential.

Research spearheaded by physicist Draulio Araujo and colleagues at the Brain Institute of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte has demonstrated rapid antidepressant effects after vaporized DMT inhalation under controlled conditions. Treatment responses were observed just one day post-administration, with notable improvements in depression symptoms, although researchers cautioned that DMT is not a universal or magic cure. Patients also received psychological therapies, and some continued using conventional medications.

In a study published in the journal Nature in April, Araujo's team treated 14 individuals over six months, finding that some patients experienced significant improvements, while others did not respond. These promising findings have been complemented by additional research published in 2024 in the journal Psychedelic Medicine, advancing the understanding of DMT’s role in mental health.

The traditional use of Jurema in spiritual contexts continues in Brazil, where the roots are infused into a beverage used during rituals involving dance and music, perceived by participants as a way to enhance spiritual access and self-communication. Joyce Souza, a participant in a Jurema ceremony near Brasília, describes the experience as enabling better communication with oneself, emphasizing its spiritual significance.

While cultivation and possession of Jurema are legal and not restricted, the active ingestion of DMT is prohibited outside religious and scientific contexts. This distinction underscores the importance of medical supervision when exploring DMT’s therapeutic effects.

Looking ahead, researchers aim to expand their clinical trials, with plans for studies involving up to 100 patients. Araujo envisions that within five years, the scientific community may have a clearer picture of DMT's potential as a mainstream depression treatment, bridging traditional indigenous practices with modern medicine.