#dimethyltryptamine

DMT, abbreviation of Dimethyltryptamine, powerful, naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound structurally related to the drug LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide). DMT blocks the action of serotonin (a transmitter of nerve impulses) in brain tissue. It is inactive when taken by mouth and produces effects only when injected, sniffed, or smoked.

DMT's hallucinogenic properties were not discovered until 1956 when Stephen Szara, a pioneering Hungarian chemist and psychiatrist, extracted DMT from the Mimosa hostilis plant and administered the extract to himself intramuscularly.

The hallucinatory action begins about five minutes after administration by injection and lasts for about an hour.

Psychological effects include intense visual hallucinations, depersonalization, auditory distortions and an altered sense of time and body image. Physiological effects include hypertension,

increased heart rate, agitation, seizures, dilated pupils, nystagmus (involuntary rapid rhythmic movement of the eye), dizziness and ataxia (muscular incoordination).

Commonly described features of the DMT experience include a feeling of transcending one’s body and entering into an alternative ‘realm’, an acoustic perception of a high pitched ‘whining/whirring’ sound during the onset of the experience, perceiving and communicating with ‘presences’ or ‘entities’, plus reflections on death, dying and the after-life (Sai-Halász et al., 1958; Strassman, 2001; Gouzoulis-Mayfrank et al., 2005).

A recent documentary feature, "The Medicine," reveals the hidden mysteries of one of nature's most powerful and controversial healing remedies -- Ayahuasca. It is a documentary about Amazonian shamanism, introducing Taita ("shaman") Juanito Guerillmo Chindoy Chindoy, both a teacher and student of the sacred plant medicine. As Ayahuasca gains popularity in the West, the film explores the science as well as the lore behind the plant and why it is used to heal. Use of the Ayahuasca brew is both a tradition in Amazonian shamanism and a promising new focus of mental health research.

The film follows former NFL Safety, Kerry Rhodes (NY Jets, AZ Cardinals), and actress, AnnaLynne McCord (Power, 90210, Nip/Tuck), as they drink with the Taita experiencing Ayahuasca for the first time -- in its true tradition. Taita Juanito guides them through an authentic ceremonial practice, and they emerge with new insights about their health, their pasts, and their emotional wellbeing. "The Medicine" is narrated by actor Stuart Townsend. 

Once out of the capsule, the vista of Planet Claire was bizarre. The pink air, was delicious to breath being made up of oxygen, salbutamol and with substantial traces of dimethyltryptamine.

In case you were wondering, this character is named Sed and he can breath through his skin.

Nothing but the cheapest highlighters used on this one, they nearly melted the sketch paper.

inktober2019