N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (also known as DMT) is an infamous naturally-occurring psychedelic substance that produces an unusually intense, short-lived version of what has come to be considered an “awakening of the spirit,” but DMT in the form of psychedelic drugs like LSD are not the only way to activate an important element within the brain which allows for expanded consciousness. Human beings have participated in the “psychedelic experience” for more than 5,000 years now.
The Pineal Gland
Almost any psychoactive experience occurs due to the activation of the dormant pineal gland in the brain. This tiny gland, shaped like a pine cone, sits in the middle of the brain, atop the spinal column. It works very closely with the hypothalamus and other endocrine organs to produce almost every “elevated” experience we have as humans – from sexual pleasure to a good night’s sleep.
When the pineal gland is working as it should, it creates its own chemical cocktail which helps to facilitate expanded awareness, or what Graham Hancock has called, “the most powerful hallucinogen known to science, and a rocket-ship to the other side of reality.” Serotonin and dopamine are created with the help of the pineal — the precursors to our body’s very own DMT – or the spirit molecule. You can think of these constituents as such:
neuron = door
receptor = lock
neurotransmitter = key
DMT is similar to serotonin in terms of chemical structure, so it can open the same locks that serotonin can.
If you have lots of DMT in your brain, then a lot of the doors to expanded consciousness can be unlocked.
What causes us to be “stuck” on the other side of the door is the calcification of the pineal gland. Without the proper neurohormonal chemical cocktail being released into our bodies, a spiritual Big Bang can’t occur.
For example, a 450 page review on fluoride toxicity published by the National Research Council in 2006 reported that fluoride produced a range of negative side effects including “decreased melatonin production” and “other effects on normal pineal function, which in turn could contribute to a variety of effects in humans.”
Calcification occurs due to our diet, environmental toxins, hormones (like endocrine disrupting herbicides) and additives, stress, radiation from cell phones and WiFi towers, and other factors which cause calcium phosphate crystals in various parts of the body – including the pineal gland.
Almost all of the non-drug methods of activating the pineal gland aim to boost serotonin, melatonin, and decalcify the pineal, so that our body’s own DMT is released into the brain via neurotransmitters. For example:
Sun Gazing
The practice of gazing into the sun to activate the pineal gland is at least 2,000 years old. It is based on ancients practices from Egypt, Sumeria, Greece, and Native American Indian cultures. Sun gazing has been practiced all over the world, though. Essentially, one gazes at the sun at sunrise and sunset so that the tiny photo-receptor cells in the pineal to become activated.
Herbal Stimulants for the Pineal
There are many naturally occurring plants which support the decalcification of the pineal gland, while also supporting the creation of melatonin, serotonin and dopamine. These include:
- Acacia spp. (Maiden’s Wattle)
- Anadenanthera spp. (Yopo)
- Arundo donax (Giant River Reed)
- Desmanthus illinoensis (Bundle Flower)
- Diplopterys cabrerana (Chagro-panga)
- Mimosa tenuiflora (=hostilis)(Jurema)
- Phalaris Grass (Reed Canary Grass)
- Psychotria viridis
- Virola spp. (Epeña)
- Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea)
- Celastrus Seed (Celastrus paniculatus)
- Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum), Tulsi
Lucia No.3
Modern technologies like special light lamps – in this case, a device called Lucia No.3 – can help to stimulate the pineal gland, and make way for a psychedelic experience.
Lucia No. 3 is hooked up to a computer program which controls patterns of light which you watch with your eyes closed. It tends to create an expanded experience for its users – all having slightly different experiences.
This psychedelic light machine is the work of Dr. Dirk Proeckl (neurologist and psychologist) and Dr. Engelbert Winkler (psychologist and psychotherapist). It is said to work by altering brain waves and stimulating the pineal – the esoteric “third eye.”
Vibration (sound)
Rhythm entrainment, also called resonance, happens when two wave forms begin to oscillate together at exactly the same rate. When the hypothalamus and pituitary entrain with the pulsing vibration of the pineal gland, our whole system can shift toward harmony. This is why mantras and different chants along with highly resonant music can affect our state in a positive way.
Meditation
Meditation is another common way of activating the pineal and awakening the mind to expanded experience. When we meditate we make brainwaves. Each type of wave can encourage whole-brain entrainment, where the pineal gland becomes active, or can support logical, “matrix” existence thinking:
-
Beta (13 to 25 cycles per second)
This brain wave indicates that your conscious mind is in control. It indicates a mental state of logical thought, analysis, and action. You are alert and awake talking, speaking, doing, solving problems, etc. -
Alpha (8 to 12 cycles per second)
This brain wave indicates relaxation and meditation. It is a state of relaxed alertness good for inspiration, learning facts fast. -
Theta (4 to 8 cycles per second)
Deep meditation. This is associated with life-like imagination. This is best for suggestibility and inspiration. This brain wave is dominant in children of age 2 to 5. -
Delta (0.5 to 4 cycles per second)
Deep dreamless sleep. Deep relaxation.
Theta stages achieved in meditation are associated with ESP, clairvoyance, shamanic journeys, out-of-body experiences, and more – essentially the psychedelic awakening.