"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

"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 t

"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 Th

"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

PSYCHOLOGY / MYSTICISM

“Highly readable, intriguing, provocative. . . . [An] intellectually courageous book. . . . Will be of great use both to researchers and clinicians, as well as to laypeople.”
--American Journal of Psychiatry, 2002

“Rick Strassman’s pioneering research 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

“A dazzling journey through psychedelic drug experimentation and a tantalizing peek into a new model of how the brain and mind work. Strassman’s research points toward a physiological basis for spirit and its interaction with the human body; his data suggests that our brain chemistry allows us access to other realms of existence just when we need it most, and his story recounts both the dangers and promises of entering this brave new world.”
--Bruce Greyson, Editor, Journal of Near-Death Studies

From 1990 to 1995 Dr. Rick Strassman conducted DEA-approved 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 that is also manufactured by the human brain, consistently produced near-death and mystical experiences. Many volunteers reported convincing encounters with intelligent nonhuman presences, especially “aliens.” 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 René 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.

RICK STRASSMAN, M.D., is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.