DMT & The Art of Death

When mystical realms, like NDEs, transform you.

Mystical experiences elicited by potent psychedelics like N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) the “spirit molecule” and its similarities with what many dub a near-death experience (NDE), has caught the attention of researchers. Perceptions of an out-of-body experience, entering non-physical realms, seeing radiant light, and even encountering mystical beings overlap in both instances that seem to transcend time and space. Feeling one’s ego dissolve as they enter a lucid dream-like altered state, which like dreams, can err on both the spectacular and inexplicably bizarre. Users often report a life changing spiritual rebirth of sorts afterwards much like survivors describe after an NDE.

One popularly held idea about this phenomenon is that DMT is modelling certain elements of the brain on the brink of death. Early findings about DMT flooding the pineal gland – the “mind’s eye” when this occurs has gained traction however remains heavily challenged and under researched.

Regardless, Dr. Sandeep Nayak, M.D. at the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelics and Consciousness Research remains fascinated with how even a single spontaneous psychedelic experience can have such lasting transformative effects. As seen in his research, changed attitudes about dying being beautiful, liberating even, tend to be more robust in mystical experiences elicited by DMT and Ayahuasca (tea-like brew also containing DMT) relative to other psychedelics. Many report stronger social connections, positive lifestyle changes, and deeper spiritual significance in one’s life.

Research on mystical experiences of this sort however is still in its infancy. So far, other studies on DMT and/or 5-MeO-DMT have mainly demonstrated antidepressant properties, and ability to treat anxiety, trauma and PTSD symptoms. However, small controlled trials have already shown other psychedelics like psilocybin (structurally similar to DMT), LSD, and MDMA to already be effective at reducing end-of-life distress. While DMT awaits being thoroughly explored in this context, small preliminary studies on the ceremonial use of Ayahuasca for those with serious illnesses have already shown promise.

Having experienced his own transformation, anonymous psychologist and professor at York University, Dr. Asher Lazuli (real name concealed for privacy) has also studied sacred plant medicines in the jungles of Peru including Ayahuasca for 15 years. Lazuli explains the same brew can affect people very differently. While some may experience a beautiful mystical journey of self-discovery, others might just see colors and shapes, while some are hit with vomiting and diarrhea. Precautions like this are important from his perspective because “sometimes you really need a shaman to sort things out when things go bad…a true healer”.

According to Lazuli, it is important to have the right intentions going into the experience and understand that Ayahuasca does not magically make your problems disappear. Much of what Ayahuasca offers is the ability to facilitate illness acceptance through deep introspection and self-analysis, a self-therapy of sorts.

In the case of producer, writer, musician, and former hardcore atheist Ben Rispin, DMT proved to be life changing. While initially skeptical, his decision to try DMT was largely out of desperation due to an ongoing struggle with depression and suicidal ideation. He explains his DMT experiences, including the entities he encountered, taught him humility and deep levels of self-awareness otherwise foreign to his former state of mind. He insists his DMT breakthroughs brought a profound perspective shift including the way he sees himself dying. In his own words he affirms,“I have never thought about killing myself since.”

Religious or not, spiritual and/or metaphysical beliefs tend to shape one’s expectation of what happens (or doesn’t happen) to themself or their soul when they die. Since quantum physics or post-materialist science (perspectives acknowledging non-physical reality) can attract conversations about not only NDEs, but also telepathy, and past lives, many materialist scientists (team-only-the-physical is “real”) steer clear of this. Nayak doesn’t deny this can be amusing to philosophically entertain or discuss experimental research on, but from his perspective “we have not driven the materialist bus as far as it can go.”

Regardless, there’s just so much more to explore. Getting to experience a truly skilled shaman performing icaros - a series of sacred prayer-like songs for example, was another important highlight of Lazuli’s Ayahuasca experience. Optimizing therapeutic effects using ceremonial spaces, healing musical tones and instruments, or tools like a Chakapa made from leaves, are part of the whole experience. According to Lazuli, like certain meditation and yoga practices, these songs can feel trance-like even without consuming any hallucinogenic substance whatsoever. Finding a good shaman amidst a vast sea of fake shamans is another important consideration.

Nonetheless, influential set and setting factors like ceremonial spaces, the presence of a mystical shaman, or being surrounded by like-minded individuals in an Ayahuasca group circle remain under studied. Understanding how certain musical frequencies that resonate impact mystical trance states, visual effects, and even rhythmic movement, are also important considerations for future research. As Lazuli additionally underscores, “we also need to consider the mistreatment of Indigenous natives. Ayahuasca is their spiritual tradition. Question is, are we appropriating?”

As Lazuli suggests, if a therapist is going to be providing a healing mystical experience, studying this process in Peru with a proper healer will go a long way. Assuming its ok to administer psychedelic substances to clients without trying it themselves is another area of concern. From Lazuli’s perspective, well-established mystical experiences and the transformations that follow are worth understanding through personal experience.

Whether through changing a one’s fundamental spiritual or metaphysical beliefs, their attitude about dying, or finding a path to new perspectives, DMT and Ayahuasca in particular appear to not only reduce one’s fear of death, but helps reshape, and even redefine one’s sense and perception of life itself. Psychedelic compounds may offer insight into deep levels of transformation needed in one’s life without having to nearly die to learn the hard lessons.

Copyright © Michelle Kim