DMT: The Spirit Molecule

[happenstance]

I am nearly finished with this book

http://www.amazon.com/DMT-Molecule-Revolutionary-Near-Death-Experiences/dp/0892819278

It's fantastic.

Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), also known as N,N-dimethyltryptamine, is a naturally-occurring tryptamine and potent psychedelic drug, found not only in many plants, but also in trace amounts in the human body where its natural function is undetermined.

Dr. Rick Strassman speculates that DMT is made in the pineal gland, largely because the necessary constituents (see methyltransferases) needed to make DMT are found in the pineal gland. He also speculates that we generate large amounts of DMT during REM sleep and the moment when we die.

Of particular interest to many RI readers would be the close overlap of many Dr.Strassman's volunteers' reported trip experiences and what we might consider the "classic alien abduction" scenario.

[can1exy]

[Simulist]

Dr. Rick Strassman […] also speculates that we generate large amounts of DMT during REM sleep and the moment when we die.

Of particular interest to many RI readers would be the close overlap of many Dr.Strassman's volunteers' reported trip experiences and what we might consider the "classic alien abduction" scenario.

Since you were inspired to start a thread on this, I'd be interested to know what you think this might mean.

Do you think that the similarity between DMT experiences and other "peak experiences" implies that the experiences themselves are somehow less "real" because of that, or that DMT is a means of having peak experiences which are also quite real?

[happenstance]

Well, it's a complicated subject. If you want to label all human experiences that are reactions of some kind of chemical transaction as being "false" or somehow "less real" than others then....that's.....all of them. On one level every human thought, action, and feeling is just the interaction of chemicals. So, from my perspective, experiences that are the products of drugs can't be so easily written off in that manner. I mean, for example, I could make the argument that we all have to take a drug 3 times a day to continue experiencing this reality. Only, in this case, the drug is called food. I mean, isn't that chemical reaction? If we don't take the food-chemical the "illusion" eventually "goes away", does it not?

Furthermore, when people's religious experiences are questioned (as I think they should be) there is one important distinction between what I'm talking about what they might counter-argue. A religious person might say, "I swear this is true, it's real, and I think if you spend 20 years praying to god and attending church weekly it might happen to you. But there's no guaranteeing!" But, meanwhile, the psychedelic experience is repeatable and on demand for anyone who's got the time and courage to try it! It will work. I find that element of it pretty fascinating and compelling as well.

All that being said: I'm not arguing that I understand what these experiences mean or where they are coming from or that they're for everyone. I just personally find something worthwhile in pursuing them (with caution, of course). I think there's potential for exponential human growth and progress with their aid. It's an untapped resource!

[Simulist]

I completely agree with you.

Very well said, by the way.

[Simulist]

Also, you must be one hell of a fast typist.

[happenstance]

Yes but I just had to go back and fix spelling and grammar errors. Fast but not airtight.

The first time I read about reoccurring figures or "characters" in salvia/dmt trips I nearly cried. There was something about it that just rang the truth bell in my stomach fairly aggressively.

[barracuda]

I believe the book is available in PDF form around the web. At least, that's how I managed to read it.

[happenstance]

I hear there's also a documentary about it but I've yet to see it.

Terrence McKenna and Joe Rogan are two well known names (not in the book) who have lots to say on it at well.

[NaturalMystik]

A great book! I've lent it around but people don't tend to dig it too much because it's a little too clinical and scientific. Maybe the upcoming Doc will be a little more palatable for some folks.

I really think DMT unlocks doorways to other places, dimensions, or something... On one hand it really is all just in your head, but that doesn't make it any less valid of a experience, especially if you buy into the soul, astral travel, etc...

[Simulist]

The first time I read about reoccurring figures or "characters" in salvia/dmt trips I nearly cried. There was something about it that just rang the truth bell in my stomach fairly aggressively.

I understand. The route I took in coming to this board was a circuitous one, but the underlying reason I'm interested in Jeff's work and in other posters' experiences has its origin in my own exceedingly strange experiences as a child.

This prolonged and highly detailed series of experiences could not, in my judgment, be the result of simple childhood fantasy or confabulation with events in my own life or even with popular media culture — the components were too elaborate and the messages simply too peculiar (and sometimes even deep and abstruse) for that.

So the approach you've articulated about Rick Strassman's research interests me.

[happenstance]

The first time I read about reoccurring figures or "characters" in salvia/dmt trips I nearly cried. There was something about it that just rang the truth bell in my stomach fairly aggressively.

I understand. The route I took in coming to this board was a circuitous one, but the underlying reason I'm interested in Jeff's work and in other posters' experiences has its origin in my own exceedingly strange experiences as a child.

This prolonged and highly detailed series of experiences could not, in my judgment, be the result of simple childhood fantasy or confabulation with events in my own life or even with popular media culture — the components were too elaborate and the messages simply too peculiar (and sometimes even deep and abstruse) for that.

So the approach you've articulated about Rick Strassman's research interests me.

I easily could have written something very similar to this, Simulist!

[Belligerent Savant]

Been a while since I've read the book, but I recall one aspect of the 'experiences' reported by the patients under the influence of DMT that was very intriguing [and since it's been some time, forgive me if I misrepresent in any way]:

Essentially, the repeated reports of 'returning' to the same 'place', seeing the same 'forms' or entities, as if they literally walked through a door to a tangible place/dimension, resided there for however many moments, then returned to 'our' understood reality. Patients reported beings "expecting" them when they arrived; a sense of passage of time since the last moment they were there, etc..

All indications that what the patients were experiencing was, at least at certain points, seemingly a transport from one reality/dimension to the next; that perhaps our minds/brains hold the key to experiencing certain alternate realities -- DMT may have simply tweaked our mind's frequency ranges to allow those patients to view a reality, however briefly, that is normally kept out of our awareness...

In other words, our reality is essentially no different than those experienced by these patients, but merely operating at an alternate frequency/vibration, etc.. which ties into many other theories regarding the nature of collective and/or "objective" reality..

If somehow honed, we can perhaps someday 'manage' this tweaking to visit other dimensions for more extended periods of time... and perhaps, one of the principle reasons such "drugs" are outlawed is due to the consequences of such experimentation: physical/mental CONTROL of the masses would be clearly compromised if humans can traverse various dimensions/realities in any managed fashion. Indeed, the mere notion of "control" would no longer have any meaning, revealing itself as little more than illusory..

I suspect that is what 'they' fear most..

[happenstance]

Another interesting element of the effects of DMT: you don't feel high. You have all your faculties about you; you can use your reason and logic just like normal. But, you're somewhere else entirely! This is a very distinctive characteristic of DMT, it seems.

B.Savant, I understand and agree with that as a possibility!

[Penguin]

A counterpoint to Strassmans book (well worth the read):
https://dmt-nexus.com/Files/Books/DMT/S ... %20DMT.pdf
Also see the site for other stuff...
Like https://dmt-nexus.com/Files/Books/Ayahu ... aringo.pdf

Ive also read the Spirit Molecule, and if you need it as pdf, pm me with an email address.

.........

The world is something very much different than we currently think, that much is certain.
And there is very good reason why these certain aids or allies are outlawed worldwide.