Science paper Cation-π interaction of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine in hydrochloric acid solution characteristic to gastric acid

http://doi.org/10.15761/IMM.1000166

"When we had left N,N-DMT inside HCl solution of 0.1 M over a period of several hours up to a few days we didn’t detect the presence of N,N-DMT molecule. The significance of these facts in biology and medicine is that the HCl is an inhibitor of N,N-DMT activity and that it is the main agents for the decomposition of that molecule in the gastric fluid. Therefore, such an influence of HCl significantly reduces efficiency of N,N-DMT at oral intake."

 

[Varallo]

This journal is really not one that can be taken seriously, and the quality of the research is far below standard. It also contradicts what we know about DMT in aqueous acidic solutions. I genuinely question whether this might simply be a group of first-year students who had to publish something for a school assignment. Still, I’m curious about your own view: what do you think of it, and why do you believe the mechanism proposed here is correct?

 

[blig-blug]

It's worth taking into account that oral DMT is usually taken as a salt, so the effects of HCl on the freebase don't seem too relevant in that sense. As for the supposed "decomposition of the molecule in the gastric fluid", people (including myself) have taken it as a freebase with no apparent reduction in potency whatsoever. It's weird that they don't even mention MAO.

I genuinely question whether this might simply be a group of first-year students who had to publish something for a school assignment

They appear to be doctors.

 

[Varallo]

It's worth taking into account that oral DMT is usually taken as a salt, so the effects of HCl on the freebase don't seem too relevant in that sense.

In aqueous solution, DMT salts will simply remain protonated. In gastric fluid, protonation is dominated by hydrochloric acid, which is much stronger than acids such as citrate or fumarate. Therefore, if DMT enters the stomach as a citrate or fumarate salt, the equilibrium shifts toward protonation by HCl. If DMT is present as the freebase, it will rapidly be protonated by hydrochloric acid under gastric conditions.

Note:
In solution, these salts do not exist as fixed molecular ion pairs as they do in crystals. Instead, the system consists of freely solvated ions. The relevant species is protonated DMT (DMTH⁺), while anions such as chloride, citrate, or fumarate may all be present in solution simultaneously.

They appear to be doctors.

I haven’t checked the Bealls list, but IMO it should be on there.

Edit: it’s on the Bealls list.

 

[blig-blug]

In solution, these salts do not exist as fixed molecular ion pairs as they do in crystals. Instead, the system consists of freely solvated ions. The relevant species is protonated DMT (DMTH⁺), while anions such as chloride, citrate, or fumarate may all be present in solution simultaneously.

Thank you for clearing this up for me.

In any case, that's even more reason to not give credibility to their claim of HCl in gastric juices "decomposing" DMT.