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May 19, 2015

Rick Strassman, M.D.

DMT: The Bridge Between Biology and the Divine

PART 1  |  PART 2 >>

S y n o p s i s

Naturally occurring DMT may induce prophecy-like states of consciousness, potentially serving as a bridge between biology and religious experiences.

- Uncovers striking parallels between the visions of Hebrew prophets and the DMT-induced states described by participants in Strassman's research.

- Explores the potential shared biological mechanisms between prophetic and psychedelic states.

- Introduces a novel "theoneurological" model of spiritual encounters.

Following his groundbreaking research documented in "DMT: The Spirit Molecule," Rick Strassman grappled with a fundamental question: What significance lies in the fact that DMT, a simple chemical naturally present in our bodies, instantaneously transports us into an interactive spiritual realm that often feels more substantial than our everyday reality?

Despite years of clinical psychiatric research and immersion in Buddhist practice, Strassman couldn't find satisfactory answers to this question. Consequently, he embarked on a quest for a spiritual framework that resonated more deeply. During this search, he made a compelling discovery: the visions experienced by Hebrew prophets, including figures like Ezekiel, Moses, Adam, and Daniel, bore remarkable similarities to those encountered by the participants in his DMT studies. Through a meticulous examination of the concept of prophecy in the Hebrew Bible, Strassman delineates a distinct "prophetic state of consciousness" and elucidates how it might share both biological and metaphysical underpinnings with the effects of DMT.

By delving into medieval commentaries on the Hebrew Bible, Strassman exposes how Jewish metaphysics offers a comprehensive model known as "theoneurology," which accounts for both prophetic and DMT-induced states. Theoneurology serves as a bridge between biology and spirituality, suggesting that the Divine communicates with us through the brain, with DMT?whether produced naturally or ingested?playing a pivotal role in facilitating visionary experiences. This model stands in contrast to "neurotheology," which posits that altered brain function merely generates an impression of a Divine-human encounter.

Theoneurology not only addresses crucial aspects of the psychedelic drug experience but also paves the way for a revival of classical prophetic consciousness, which lies at the heart of Hebrew Bible prophecy. Additionally, it offers unexpected insights for the evolution of contemporary spiritual practices.


B i o

Rick Strassman, MD, conducted pioneering human studies involving psychedelic drugs, marking the first such research in the United States in over two decades. His investigations centered on the potent naturally-occurring compound known as DMT, or N,N-dimethyltryptamine. These studies emerged from his earlier exploration of the pineal gland's potential role as a biological locus for spiritual experiences. Between 1990 and 1995, Strassman administered several hundred doses of DMT to approximately 60 volunteers.

Strassman documented his research findings in the widely read book "DMT: The Spirit Molecule." This book has garnered substantial acclaim, selling over 100,000 copies, translated into 12 languages, and now available as an audiobook. It also served as the inspiration for an independent documentary of the same name, distributed by Warner Bros in the fall of 2011. In collaboration with three distinguished colleagues, Strassman co-authored "Inner Paths to Outer Space," a work that delves more deeply into the common theme of "other worlds" experienced by volunteers during his research.

Since 1996, Dr. Strassman has been immersed in the exploration of models elucidating the DMT effect, with a primary focus on the Old Testament concept of prophecy. Prophecy, as he perceives it, encompasses the seemingly external, autonomous nature of the DMT "worlds," where one's sense of self remains intact and interactive. Unlike models heavily influenced by Eastern religious systems or Latin American shamanism, the concept of prophecy from the Old Testament offers a distinctive perspective. It directly addresses ethical and moral considerations, introducing a crucial dimension to our comprehension and assimilation of the psychedelic experience.

Dr. Strassman is currently positioned as a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. He also holds the roles of President and co-founder of the Cottonwood Research Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing consciousness research. Strassman is poised to expand upon these ideas in his forthcoming book, "The Soul of Prophecy," scheduled for release in 2013.


Links to Guest

RickStrassman.com


DMT and the Soul of Prophecy


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