Psychedelic nasal spray treats depression with toad-inspired goo

A clinical trial published in JAMA showed that a single dose of a synthetic nasal spray containing mebufotenin (5-MeO-DMT, a compound derived from Sonoran desert toad secretions) eased depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression, with benefits lasting throughout an eight-week trial and requiring only two hours for effects to wear off.

Study tested 193 adults who had already failed at least two antidepressant treatments. This is early-stage research; the treatment is not yet approved or in routine clinical use.