Product Description

A clinical psychiatrist explores the effects of DMT, one of the most powerful psychedelics known.

• A behind-the-scenes look at the cutting edge of psychedelic research.

• Provides a unique scientific explanation for the phenomenon of alien abduction experiences.

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.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13123 in Books
• Published on: 2001-01
• Released on: 2000-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

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

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

"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!"
(Andrew Weil, M.D., author of Spontaneous Healing )

"DMT: 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 )

"This book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the mind, philosophy, the nature of reality, and spirituality." 

(Karl Jansen, M.D., Ph.D. )

"DMT: The Spirit Molecule points the way beyond the present impasse of the reigning 'drug abuse' paradigm." 

(Jonathan Ott, author of The Age of Entheogens and Hallucinogenic Plants of North America )

"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 )

"Strassman's important research contributes to a growing awareness that we inhabit a multi-dimensional universe." 

(John Mack, MD Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, author of Abduction and Passport to the Cosmos )

"Strassman raises vital questions about the origin of spiritual experiences and the nature of consciousness."
(Larry Dossey MD, author of Reinventing Medicine, and Healing Words; Executive Editor, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine )

"DMT: The Spirit Molecule is 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."
(Jule Klotter, Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients  - July, 2001 )

"This book will be of profound interest to . . . anyone with a deep interest in the study of consciousness, visionary states and/or psycho-pharmacology."

(J. P. Harpignies, Lapis )

"Strassman's psychonauts regularly found themselves hurtled into alien laboratories, high-tech nurseries, and Day-Glo hieroglyphic hypercubes."
(Erik Davis, The Village Voice )

"DMT: the Spirit Molecule is 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."
(Vicki Ecker, UFO Magazine, December-January 2002 )

"What you will find is a thoughtful, well-written report about another of life's mysteries."
(James Dekorne, Fortean Times, November 2001 )

"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."
(Scotto, Trip, Fall 2001 )

"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."
(The Book Reader, Spring/Summer 2002 )

"The account of the project is an excellent inside view of human drug studies, especially those with psychedelics."
(Paul Von Ward, The AHP Perspective, June/July 2002 )

"This book is a highly readable, intriguing, provocative description of Rick Strassman's theories and research concerning the effects of DMT."
(Alissa Hirshfeld-Flores, M.A., LMFT, The American Journal of Psychiatry, August 2002 )

"Rick Strassman's experimentation with the psychoactive substance DMT is taking up where Leary's 1950/60's LSD experiments stopped."
(Rev. Dr. S. D'Montford, New Dawn, Jan-Feb 2006 )

"[Strassman's] account, written more for the layman than the specialist, is ground-breaking, and raises the interesting question as to what is truly a psychedelic experience." (Peter Fenwick, The Scientific and Medical Network, Summer 2007 )

James Dekorne, Fortean Times, November 2001
What you will find is a thoughtful, well-written report about another of life's mysteries.

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Customer Reviews

Intriguing and Resonating
As an experiant of a spontaneous mystical trip, one-off, 35 years ago, this book explains what happened in a sound melding of science and spirit.

I recommend this to anyone needing a jump start on transformational activities.

A Journey Shared with lots more to find out....
This book contains information regarding the ONLY DMT study conducted in the US. The book tells about what dmt is and where it comes from. The book also tells the journey the author had to take to get to the study. That was just as enlightening and entertaining. In the last chapter "The Futures of Psychedelic Research" the author list numerous future studies that could be performed. The book left me wondering if people who suffered from schizophrenia were people whose brain's produced more DMT than others? You will get a great insight from this book, even though much more research is obviously necessary to come to any concrete conclusion regarding DMT. Highly recommended.

Very informative, easy to read
This book was good for just about anyone to read. Sometimes books of a scientific nature are dense, or hard for the average person to read. But this book was eloquent, easy to follow, and very insightful.


I was interested in it, ever since I only just heard of DMT in 2007. It's a curious and fascinating hallucinogen and I enjoyed reading this book about it.

I really don't like when science is mixed with mysticism or spirituality, but in the context of this book, it was necessary. That was the only hurdle I had to jump, personally. I recommend it to anyone interested in the topic, and who has an open mind.