In DMT: The Spirit Molecule, pioneering researcher and author Dr. Rick Strassman presents the culmination of his 20-year investigation into the bewildering and obscure phenomenon of psychedelic drugs. In this book, Dr. Strassman explains how his experiments with the psychoactive tryptamine dimethyltryptamine (DMT) led him to a new theory of human consciousness, one that connects us to an unseen world populated by strange beings and unexplained phenomena. Strassman’s book is not for everyone: It’s frequent use of scientific terminology may be difficult for some readers; however, it provides an unbiased discussion of the potential benefits and drawbacks of ingesting DMT – a substance that remains taboo in most cultures and illegal in almost every country on earth.
Synopsis
In the early 1990s, Dr. Rick Strassman conducted a series of experiments on the psychedelic drug DMT (dimethyltryptamine) at the University of New Mexico, where he was a tenured Associate Professor of Psychiatry. These experiments, which involved giving high doses of DMT to 60 volunteers, generated a great deal of controversy. Controversy because the research had to be conducted in secret, controversy because the experiments were outside the normal realm of scientific enquiry, and controversy because the results of the experiments were just too strange to be believed. Strassman’s research explored the nature of consciousness and our connection to a parallel world inhabited by strange creatures and overwhelming emotions. He attempted to make sense of the thousands of psychedelic experiences reported by his volunteers and the thousands more documented in the world’s spiritual literature. He wondered why DMT, and other psychedelics, cause hallucinations so different from the experiences of dreams and everyday life.
DMT and the Brain
DMT is an endogenous Psychedelic produced naturally in the human brain. When activated, DMT floods the different parts of the brain and causes hallucinations and bizarre visions. According to Dr. Strassman, DMT may be responsible for the phenomenon of near-death experiences. DMT may also be responsible for the feelings of “oneness,” “connection,” and “transcendence” reported by many people when they meditate. Ordinarily, the brain keeps DMT safely stored away and out of reach, but a number of factors can trigger the release of DMT including: - Hypoxia (lack of oxygen) - Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) - Cortical Hyper-Excitability (electrical instability) - Stress - Death
The Origin of DMT
In the 1960s, Dr. Timothy Leary, the “Johnny Appleseed of LSD”, speculated that DMT was manufactured by the pineal gland and released when we dream or die. Leary later revised his theory to suggest that DMT was manufactured in the blood and stored in the lungs, and released when we are injured or about to die. More recently, Dr. Strassman has speculated that DMT is manufactured in the gut. - DMT is found in a number of different species including fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Fish and reptiles can manufacture DMT in their bodies, which suggests that the ability to produce DMT may be very ancient. - The human body can produce DMT, and people who have had their colons removed have been known to continue to make DMT in their blood.
Human Consciousness and DMT
Human consciousness is primarily formed by the ability to verbally process sensory information and store memories. Because DMT does not interact with the parts of the brain responsible for language and memory, it does not affect our normal consciousness. DMT does create a secondary type of consciousness that is primarily driven by the senses. - Dr. Strassman believes that the human brain is capable of generating two distinct levels of consciousness: Primary consciousness, which is associated with language, memory, and the acquisition of knowledge; and Secondary consciousness, which is primarily driven by the senses. - The hallucinogenic effects of DMT are consistent with the idea that the human brain can generate two distinct levels of consciousness. - The experience of a DMT trip is significantly different from everyday life. The elements of the trip are similar to a dream experience, albeit with a much greater intensity.
Implications for the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety
Psychedelics like DMT are often associated with unusual and bizarre experiences. However, they have also been used as medicines in various cultures for thousands of years. Dr. Strassman believes that drugs like DMT can be used to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. - Studies suggest that psychedelic drugs like DMT reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. - The hallucinogenic effects of DMT are consistent with the idea that psychedelics can be used to treat anxiety and depression. - Research indicates that the hallucinogenic effects of DMT persist for several hours even after the drug has been removed from the body.
Conclusion
DMT is an endogenous Psychedelic that floods the brain and causes hallucinations. DMT may be responsible for the phenomenon of near-death experiences and the feelings of “oneness,” “connection,” and “transcendence” reported by many people when they meditate. The human brain can generate two distinct levels of consciousness: Primary consciousness, which is associated with language, memory, and the acquisition of knowledge; and Secondary consciousness, which is primarily driven by the senses. The hallucinogenic effects of DMT are consistent with the idea that the human brain can generate two distinct levels of consciousness. Dr. Strassman believes that psychedelics like DMT can be used to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
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