DMT & near death experiences

[psychedelaholic]

I've read somewhere that what people see during near death experiences is the result of a large release of DMT by the pineal gland. This apparently happens at birth as well, and during deep meditation the pineal gland may be stimulated and produce DMT.

[oz_steve]

That's quite spooky! One wonders where the evolutionary advantage is in that: why might our bodies do it?

[djama]

I heard that the effects mentioned are a result of cerebral hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain) and that is why people who have experiences that effect that, like heart attack or partial drowning, often have these observations.

I'm plan to make notes as I die - re-writing could be problem though.

[Sick Jack]

Originally Posted by oz_steve

That's quite spooky! One wonders where the evolutionary advantage is in that: why might our bodies do it?

Well said, everyone tries to answer to "how does it work", but no one cares about the "why does it work like that".

Concerning the implication of the pineal gland, this facts probably come from "DMT : The Spirit Molecule", a really good book written by Dr Rick Strassmann. But unfortunately his book lakes of scientific evidences/explanation about the functionning of this hypothetical DMT-release.

[psychedelaholic]

Originally Posted by Sick Jack

Well said, everyone tries to answer to "how does it work", but no one cares about the "why does it work like that".

Concerning the implication of the pineal gland, this facts probably come from "DMT : The Spirit Molecule", a really good book written by Dr Rick Strassmann. But unfortunately his book lakes of scientific evidences/explanation about the functionning of this hypothetical DMT-release.

Ah fair enough, I think I read about it on erowid. I also read something about combing l-tryptophan, an MAOI and then eating some chocolate that the pineal gland could be made to produce alot of excess DMT. All theoretical of course. The pineal gland is mentioned in fear and loathing as well if I remember rightly, when he's taking the adrenochrome.

[oz_steve]

Without wanting to engage in too much swivel-eyed metaphysical speculation, maybe DMT serves an important purpose at birth and death?

[psyche]

Dr. Strassmans book DMT Spirit Molecule indeed hits the topic quite well. He is quite scientific person but during the studies he can't help starting to wonder whether the entities are real. Majority of volunteers described the experience the most significant event in their lives. Isn't it already proven fact that DMT is secreted when falling asleep? It's not sure whether it's from pineal but there is some evidence supporting it.

Also interesting were Strassmans hypotesis on DMT possibility to explore other dimensions or other universes through the little wormholes appearing and disappearing all the time. I've been pondering that too before reading the book and Strassman seems to think with pretty much the same logic as me. I mean, quantummechanics has already proven, for example, that two particles once touched themselves, have connection forever. Changing once state, alters the others, no matter how far away it is. Also thinking of multiple dimensions and non-perceivable particles such as antimateria(or something) and such have made it from the hypothesis level to theoretical and finally to facts.

In the 49-day-old fetus the pineal gland is born(where strassman assumed dmt to secrate from). Also at that day the sex of the fetus is determined. Also, according to buddhism, it takes 49 days for soul to transfer into another body. Not a proof in any way, but at least interesting coincidence. He also hypotezised(not sure wheter proven) that DMT appears on birth and death, also Near Death. Many of the participants of the study, almost everyone could i say, felt their souls being ripped of the body and they thought they must've died or are going to.

[oz_steve]

Originally Posted by psyche

I mean, quantummechanics has already proven, for example, that two particles once touched themselves, have connection forever. Changing once state, alters the others, no matter how far away it is. Also thinking of multiple dimensions and non-perceivable particles such as antimateria(or something) and such have made it from the hypothesis level to theoretical and finally to facts.

Roger Penrose attributes human consciousness to quantum events as a part of his argument for its non-computability. If only I could understand his mathematics, LOL!

I've just ordered "Dmt: the Spirit Molecule" off eBay (oops - that's a sources discussion!!).

Maybe its time for SWIM to give DMT a go - been thinking about it for ages.

[djama]

Originally Posted by psyche

Strassmans hypotesis on DMT possibility to explore other dimensions or other universes through the little wormholes appearing and disappearing all the time.

Maybe there is where human beings get the possibility of 'choice' - perhaps potentially there are multiple realities and either one happens to you or you choose one to happen in.

[These Forensics]

http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/Pickover/pc/dmt.html

i thought that was a very interesting article

Reputation Comments on this post:

interesting link

[Sick Jack]

@These Forensics

Thanks !!!! Seems to be a good read in fact.

[LowExpectations]

It's interesting because the visuals on DMT tend to define a society's concept of heaven. Many of the patterns and shapes are significantly similar to the art of ancient cultures.

We also have progressed as a species since then, perhaps the pineal gland has simply quieted down.

[robin_himself]

Originally Posted by LowExpectations

It's interesting because the visuals on DMT tend to define a society's concept of heaven. Many of the patterns and shapes are significantly similar to the art of ancient cultures.

We also have progressed as a species since then, perhaps the pineal gland has simply quieted down.

so what you're saying is that everybody forms his own concept of heaven?
consiously or sub-consiously? what if one didn't do that?

[seeingred]

So this is a sort of ignorant questions. What does DMT do and how does it work? Is the DMT what's producing the hallucinations of a GOD? How similar are DMT effects and NDE's?

[ezav420]

Originally Posted by seeingred

So this is a sort of ignorant questions. What does DMT do and how does it work? Is the DMT what's producing the hallucinations of a GOD? How similar are DMT effects and NDE's?

Read?

[Shampoo]

Originally Posted by psyche

Isn't it already proven fact that DMT is secreted when falling asleep? It's not sure whether it's from pineal but there is some evidence supporting it.
.

This is a highly debated fact with little or no empirical exploration or evidence. Source?

The role of the Pineal gland and DMT in the brain is almost entirely speculative. Those who have read Strassman's book in its entirety will find it hard to believe how much of his (well-forewarned) speculation is assumed as fact. There seems to be some confusion that because he is a doctor, his theories all have valid scientific basis. The majority of them, and he attests to this before and after the novel, are based on assumptions about the function of the Pineal gland and speculations based on DMT experiences, not neurochemistry. He admits within the first 50 pages of the book that there is little to no evidence that the Pineal gland is even the sole source of responsibility for DMT, though fascinated by its unique positional development, he takes a few shots in the dark in the hope that one hits. DMT's role in near-death experiences are even less researched, though his speculations do have a convincing heir of intelligence and rationality.