I really enjoyed reading DMT: The Spirit Molecule by Dr. Rick Strassman. DMT is the psychoactive molecule in Ayuhasca, the medicine used by many shamans in South America to help their patients deal with fear of death and other mental/spiritual troubles. Dr. Strassman was the only American doctor who was allowed to study the effects of this molecule in a clinical setting. His findings helped many of his research subjects gain insights into their subconscious and make beneficial changes in their lives. He also demonstrated that DMT was safe to consume in a clinical setting with medical support.
One of the interesting things I learned from this book is that DMT is very close to melatonin, a neurotransmitter that our pineal glands produce in our bodies to help regulate sleep. Dr. Strassman explained that our pineal glands are able to produce DMT when we have extremely high levels of stress hormones in our bodies. Because of this, he theorizes that DMT is the neurotransmitter that facilitates the beginning and ending of our lives. This book is an interesting read and gave me insights into my own consciousness, and into some of the breath work I do with my clients. I definitely recommend it to anyone interested in personal development, psychedelics, and human consciousness.
Find DMT: The Spirit Molecule on Amazon.
