From 1990 to 1995 Dr. Rick Strassman conducted U.S. Government-approved and funded clinical research at the University of New Mexico in which he injected sixty volunteers with DMT, one of the most powerful psychedelics known. His detailed account of those sessions is an extraordinarily riveting inquiry into the nature of the human mind and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.

DMT, a plant-derived chemical found in the psychedelic Amazon brew, ayahuasca, is also manufactured by the human brain. In Strassman's volunteers, it consistently produced near-death and mystical experiences. Many reported convincing encounters with intelligent nonhuman presences, aliens, angels, and spirits. Nearly all felt that the sessions were among the most profound experiences of their lives. Strassman's research connects DMT with the pineal gland, considered by Hindus to be the site of the seventh chakra and by Rene Descartes to be the seat of the soul.

DMT: The Spirit Molecule makes the bold case that DMT, naturally released by the pineal gland, facilitates the soul's movement in and out of the body and is an integral part of the birth and death experiences, as well as the highest states of meditation and even sexual transcendence. Strassman also believes that "alien abduction experiences" are brought on by accidental releases of DMT. If used wisely, DMT could trigger a period of remarkable progress in the scientific exploration of the most mystical regions of the human mind and soul.

"The most extensive scientific study of the mental and perceptual effects of a psychedelic drug since the 1960s." Ralph Metzner, Ph.D., author of Ayahuasca: Consciousness and the Spirits of Nature

"The Spirit Molecule is a tantalizing peek into a new model of how the brain and mind work." Bruce Greyson, editor of the Journal of Near-Death Studies, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Virginia

"Rick Strassman's pioneering research work with DMT...raises fascinating questions about the neurochemical basis of experience and the feasibility of conducting human research with mind-altering drugs in a university medical center. Truly adventurous reading!" Andrew Weil, author of Spontaneous Healing

"Fascinating and provocative. A remarkable exploration of the boundaries of science and consciousness itself." Rupert Sheldrake, author of The Presence of the Past

"Strassman's research was an important step, one that will potentially illuminate the path for future researchers and volunteers alike, and this book is a great contribution to the ongoing dialogue surrounding psychedelics." Trip

"What you will find is a thoughtful, well-written report about another of life's mysteries." Fortean Times

Rick Strassman, M.D., lives in Taos, New Mexico, and is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.

Visit the Author's web site at <>.

Strassman's research connects DMT with the pineal gland, considered by Hindus to be the site of the seventh chakra and by Ren Descartes to be the seat of the soul. DMT: The Spirit Moleculemakes the bold case that DMT, naturally released by the pineal gland, facilitates the soul's movement in and out of the body and is an integral part of the birth and death experiences.A clinical psychiatrist explores the effects of DMT, one of the most powerful psychedelics known and shares his detailed account of the clinical studies he conducted with sixty volunteers. Strassman's research connects DMT with the pineal gland, considered by Hindus to be the site of the seventh chakra and by Ren Descartes to be the seat of the soul. DMT: The Spirit Moleculemakes the bold case that DMT, manufactured by the human brain, facilitates the soul's movement in and out of the body and is an integral part of the birth and death experiences, as well as the highest states of meditation sexual transcendence and even alien abduction experiences. "Fascinating and provocative. A remarkable exploration of the boundaries of science and consciousness itself."Rupert Sheldrake, author of < I > The Presence of the Past < /I > A clinical psychiatrist explores the effects of DMT, one of the most powerful psychedelics known and shares his detailed account of the clinical studies he conducted with sixty volunteers.Rick Strassman, M.D., lives in Taos, New Mexico, and is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.

DMT: The Spirit Molecule

A Doctor's Revolutionary Research into the Biology ofandnbsp;

Near-Death and Mystical Experiences

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Prologue: First Sessions

Part I: The Building Blocks

Part II: Conception and Birth

Part III: Set, Setting, and DMT

Part IV: The Sessions

Part V: Taking Pause

Part VI: What Could and Might Beandquot;Rick Strassman's pioneering research work with DMT, a natural psychedelic drug used by Amazonian Indians, raises fascinating questions about the neurochemical basis of experience and the feasibility of conducting human research with mind-altering drugs in a university medical center. Truly adventurous reading!andquot;
< strong > Andrew Weil, M.D. < /strong > , author of < i > Spontaneous Healing < /i >

andquot;DMT: The Spirit Moleculeis a tantalizing peek into a new model of how the brain and mind work.andquot;"
< strong > Bruce Greyson < /strong > , editor of the < i > Journal of Near-Death Studies < /i > , Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Virginia

andquot;This book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the mind, philosophy, the nature of reality, and spirituality.andquot;"
< strong > Karl Jansen, M.D., Ph.D. < /strong >

andquot;DMT: The Spirit Moleculepoints the way beyond the present impasse of the reigning 'drug abuse' paradigm.andquot;"
< strong > Jonathan Ott < /strong > , author of < i > The Age of Entheogens < /i > and < i > Hallucinogenic Plants of North America < /i >

andquot;The most extensive scientific study of the mental and perceptual effects of a psychedelic drug since the 1960s.andquot;"
< strong > Ralph Metzner, Ph.D. < /strong > , author of < i > Ayahuasca: Consciousness and the Spirits of Nature < /i >

andquot;Strassman's important research contributes to a growing awareness that we inhabit a multi-dimensional universe.andquot;"
< strong > John Mack, MD < /strong > Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, author of < i > Abduction < /i > and < i > Passport to the Cosmos < /i >

andquot;Strassman raises vital questions about the origin of spiritual experiences and the nature of consciousness.andquot;"
< strong > Larry Dossey MD < /strong > , author of < i > Reinventing Medicine < /i > , and < i > Healing Words < /i > ; Executive Editor, < i > Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine < /i >

andquot;DMT: The Spirit Moleculeis a fascinating journey into the research of psychedelics. . . . The questions and possible explanations about the endogenous presence of DMT that he raises not only enlarge the discussion about psychedelics but also expand our understanding of the nature of consciousness.andquot;
< strong > Jule Klotter < /strong > , < i > Townsend Letter for Doctors andamp; Patients < /i > " - July, 2001

andquot;This book will be of profound interest to . . . anyone with a deep interest in the study of consciousness, visionary states and/or psycho-pharmacology.andquot;
< strong > J. P. Harpignies < /strong > , < i > Lapis < /i >

andquot;Strassman's psychonauts regularly found themselves hurtled into alien laboratories, high-tech nurseries, and Day-Glo hieroglyphic hypercubes.andquot;
< strong > Erik Davis < /strong > , < i > The Village Voice < /i >

andquot;DMT: the Spirit Moleculeis an enriching journey into one scientist's courageous attempt to solve a bit more of the brain/mind/spirit mystery at the center of human existence.andquot;"
< strong > Vicki Ecker < /strong > , < i > UFO Magazine < /i > , December-January 2002

andquot;What you will find is a thoughtful, well-written report about another of life's mysteries.andquot;
< strong > James Dekorne < /strong > , < i > Fortean Times < /i > , November 2001

andquot;Strassman's research was an important step, one that will potentially illuminate the path for future researchers and volunteers alike, and this book is a great contribution to the ongoing dialogue surrounding psychedelics.andquot;
< strong > Scotto < /strong > , < i > Trip < /i > , Fall 2001

andquot;This is probably the most thorough book on the psychedelic, DMT?its history, chemistry, uses (legal and illegal), and its effects." This is a very compelling, thoughtful book, written by a scrupulous scientist with the soul of a meditator.andquot;
< em > The Book Reader < /em > , Spring/Summer 2002

andquot;The account of the project is an excellent inside view of human drug studies, especially those with psychedelics.andquot;
< strong > Paul Von Ward < /strong > , < i > The AHP Perspective < /i > , June/July 2002

andquot;This book is a highly readable, intriguing, provocative description of Rick Strassman's theories and research concerning the effects of DMT.andquot;
< strong > Alissa Hirshfeld-Flores, M.A., LMFT < /strong > , < i > The American Journal of Psychiatry < /i > , August 2002