DMT: The Spirit Molecule: A Doctor's Revolutionary Research into the Biology of Near-Death and Mystical Experiences

Absolutely fascinating! Suspend your skepticism for a few hours and enter the incredulous world of Strassman’s research with a powerful hallucinogen. DMT, sort of a fast-acting LSD, was used in DEA-approved clinical research at the University of New Mexico between 1990 and 1995, where volunteers repeatedly described experiences similar to near-death and alien abduction reports.

The question is this: Are the experiences entirely psychedelic, or is the drug allowing volunteers to tap into another reality, where aliens really do exist? Strassman takes the question seriously, and while the implications are more than a little disturbing, the volunteers “unquestionably had some of the most intense, unusual, and unexpected experiences of show more their lives.” (After reading the case studies, I can believe it.)

Strassman connects DMT with the pineal gland, the “house of the soul.” The pineal gland develops in the human fetus 49 days after conception, with its DMT chemical secretion serving as a portal to astral worlds. OK, this is wayyy outside my comfort level and not something I know anything about, yet I can’t help it: This is a five-star book, guys, even though it steps on some religious toes. Skip ahead to part IV, The Sessions, if you must, and then come back to read the rest after your mind is blown.

Strassman presents his data like a research doctor, and he admits that one of his deepest motivations behind the DMT research was the search for a biological basis of spiritual experience. He went into this research already intrigued with the pineal gland, so his hypotheses are not unexpected. His application was entirely professional, with intravenous injections under strict supervision—this is not an experiment that can be undertaken at home. The experiences are kaleidoscopic and often frightening. Yet I couldn’t help wonder how many people, after reading this book, found a way to obtain the drug and jump into the next universe. I sure wanted to. show less

Super interesting book! Rick Strassman is a clinical psychiatrist who explored the effects of DMT. This book is comprehensive; it covers the research and detailed experiences of participants. Some participants reported near-death experiences and encounters with aliens. (Super wild) He openly shared about the challenges of getting this type of research approved. He talked about his decision to leave the research and suggestions for the future.

Strassman's book is a journey through red tape into the deepest pools of human consciousness. Not only does it give us a thorough understanding of the effects of DMT. It presents a road map for drug research methods that could lead to a better understanding of psychedelics (and other drugs) that could dramatically shift drug policy in the United States It is an amazing case for the potential mass of benefits to be gained from psychedelic research. This book opens a door. If more are to follow in Strassman's footsteps, only progress is to be gained.

The unthinkable took place. A researcher fought his way through mountains of red take and political posing to do a study on a psychedelic substance. Even more interestingly, one he was familiar with on a molecular, though not practical, level. The man most qualified to run the study was handed the keys to the kingdom. An amazing tale of bureaucracy and beauty.

Just as important is the condemnation which comes raining down on him for daring to as 'why'. Most depressingly sharp, and surprising, is how quickly his Buddhist temple sicks the inquisition on him.

This book covers three main topics: the process of setting up human trials using DMT, including the various regulations and other hurdles that needed to be overcome; the experiences of the volunteers in the trials; and some speculation about the role of naturally occurring DMT and its generation by the pineal gland.

I found the descriptions of the trial process and the experiences interesting, but I thought the stuff about the pineal gland was totally unsubstantiated and felt that this part could have been profitably omitted. The whole pineal gland bit seemed to be pure speculation, and the lack of scientific method was at odds with the scientific approach described in the rest of the book.

Unfortunately the theory about the pineal gland show more is the most often quoted part of this book, and it seems to have become accepted as some sort of new age fact in some circles.

Overall an interesting book, and one of the few good books on psychedelic research. show less

this past week I have read the ever thought-provoking spiritual book "DMT: The Spirit Molecule". This book is an autobiography on doctor Rick Strassman's amazing research on the dimethyltryptamine molecule, the thing that is produced in our brains that he believes is normal regulating part of our spirit, soul, or consciousness. Dr. Strassman also goes into great detail about the molecular similarities between DMT (one of the simplest molecules next to glucose) and other drugs such as LSD, Psilocybin, and Mescaline, as well as telling his, over three year process just to acquire the permits to preform the research from the DEA and FDA. Once i picked up this book I couldn't put it down, I read it every chance I had, I was ever fascinated show more with the working of outside applied DMT on research volunteers. This is probably one of the best books I have read so far, up there with the doors of perception, and the perennial philosophy. there are far to many theories and amazing inquires for me to go into much detail, but this book is a dramatic explanation of the biology of the soul. I would recommend this book to anyone who has questions to the outstanding workings of birth, near-death, and death experiences, as well as spontaneous visionary experience brought on by meditation or "enlightenment". show less

Ground breaking research and a fascinating read. Even if you don't want to digest the background and methods, people's DMT experiences are thought provoking and inspiring. This was one of the books I used as research for my novel, 'Seven Point: The First Chronicle'.