Question of the week: "Sleep paralysis night terrors about angels vs demons?"

Question:

I've had 2 "night terror" type incidents in the past 6 months, where I've been half awake and aware of my surroundings but totally paralyzed. This is, obviously, terrifying. But the weird thing is both incidents have involved good vs. bad, or angels vs. demons. The first was 2 loud voices talking in each ear talking about stealing something, one good, one bad, kind of like the angel/devil on shoulder metaphor you see in films. And the other was after a dream about angels and demons fighting, and then during my sleep paralysis I imagined a demon-like creature approaching me. In both incidents, the "bad" has seemed to win or have the last say. Is this significant in any way?

Answer:

Unfortunately I think that you have experienced something that is common in a lot of religious circles when dealing with sleep paralysis. If you look back into the history of sleep paralysis you will find that many of the old stories of demon possession ties into this. This same event is also the cause for the word “nightmare” comes from the name Mara as it was a type of demon that would sit on the chest of others holding them down while tormenting them.

One reason that people experience anxiety based hallucinations during this period of sleep is because during the transformation phase between NREM and REM (where sleep paralysis accurse) our brains are going through a type of modulation or the shutting down and starting up of specific areas. One of these key points in our brain that is activated is the amygdala which in some research has shown to be the start to the process of dreaming itself. The amygdala is this one specific area of our brain that causes us to feel fear and anxiety and if it becomes activated to the point it does in sleep, well then you very well can have a very scary dream. The paralysis either shortly follows this process or is activated slightly before so that the body doesn’t act out its dreams. Some research has shown that this is normal process; however remembering or being fully conscious during the transition is out of the norm.

Researchers still do not know why we dream or even how we dream, though they are continuing to research the area and understand more. It is important to not take our dreams too serious but also to not over look them, as they may have some underlying information of what we want, or how we perceive things. In a short answer your dreams may have meaning but no one can answer that question for you but yourself.

-L

Question of the week: "Sleep paralysis night terrors about angels vs demons?"

Question:

I've had 2 "night terror" type incidents in the past 6 months, where I've been half awake and aware of my surroundings but totally paralyzed. This is, obviously, terrifying. But the weird thing is both incidents have involved good vs. bad, or angels vs. demons. The first was 2 loud voices talking in each ear talking about stealing something, one good, one bad, kind of like the angel/devil on shoulder metaphor you see in films. And the other was after a dream about angels and demons fighting, and then during my sleep paralysis I imagined a demon-like creature approaching me. In both incidents, the "bad" has seemed to win or have the last say. Is this significant in any way?

Answer:

Unfortunately I think that you have experienced something that is common in a lot of religious circles when dealing with sleep paralysis. If you look back into the history of sleep paralysis you will find that many of the old stories of demon possession ties into this. This same event is also the cause for the word “nightmare” comes from the name Mara as it was a type of demon that would sit on the chest of others holding them down while tormenting them.

One reason that people experience anxiety based hallucinations during this period of sleep is because during the transformation phase between NREM and REM (where sleep paralysis accurse) our brains are going through a type of modulation or the shutting down and starting up of specific areas. One of these key points in our brain that is activated is the amygdala which in some research has shown to be the start to the process of dreaming itself. The amygdala is this one specific area of our brain that causes us to feel fear and anxiety and if it becomes activated to the point it does in sleep, well then you very well can have a very scary dream. The paralysis either shortly follows this process or is activated slightly before so that the body doesn’t act out its dreams. Some research has shown that this is normal process; however remembering or being fully conscious during the transition is out of the norm.

Researchers still do not know why we dream or even how we dream, though they are continuing to research the area and understand more. It is important to not take our dreams too serious but also to not over look them, as they may have some underlying information of what we want, or how we perceive things. In a short answer your dreams may have meaning but no one can answer that question for you but yourself.

-L

Question of the week: "Sleep paralysis night terrors about angels vs demons?"

Question:

I've had 2 "night terror" type incidents in the past 6 months, where I've been half awake and aware of my surroundings but totally paralyzed. This is, obviously, terrifying. But the weird thing is both incidents have involved good vs. bad, or angels vs. demons. The first was 2 loud voices talking in each ear talking about stealing something, one good, one bad, kind of like the angel/devil on shoulder metaphor you see in films. And the other was after a dream about angels and demons fighting, and then during my sleep paralysis I imagined a demon-like creature approaching me. In both incidents, the "bad" has seemed to win or have the last say. Is this significant in any way?

Answer:

Unfortunately I think that you have experienced something that is common in a lot of religious circles when dealing with sleep paralysis. If you look back into the history of sleep paralysis you will find that many of the old stories of demon possession ties into this. This same event is also the cause for the word “nightmare” comes from the name Mara as it was a type of demon that would sit on the chest of others holding them down while tormenting them.

One reason that people experience anxiety based hallucinations during this period of sleep is because during the transformation phase between NREM and REM (where sleep paralysis accurse) our brains are going through a type of modulation or the shutting down and starting up of specific areas. One of these key points in our brain that is activated is the amygdala which in some research has shown to be the start to the process of dreaming itself. The amygdala is this one specific area of our brain that causes us to feel fear and anxiety and if it becomes activated to the point it does in sleep, well then you very well can have a very scary dream. The paralysis either shortly follows this process or is activated slightly before so that the body doesn’t act out its dreams. Some research has shown that this is normal process; however remembering or being fully conscious during the transition is out of the norm.

Researchers still do not know why we dream or even how we dream, though they are continuing to research the area and understand more. It is important to not take our dreams too serious but also to not over look them, as they may have some underlying information of what we want, or how we perceive things. In a short answer your dreams may have meaning but no one can answer that question for you but yourself.

-L

Question of the week: "Sleep paralysis night terrors about angels vs demons?"

Question:

I've had 2 "night terror" type incidents in the past 6 months, where I've been half awake and aware of my surroundings but totally paralyzed. This is, obviously, terrifying. But the weird thing is both incidents have involved good vs. bad, or angels vs. demons. The first was 2 loud voices talking in each ear talking about stealing something, one good, one bad, kind of like the angel/devil on shoulder metaphor you see in films. And the other was after a dream about angels and demons fighting, and then during my sleep paralysis I imagined a demon-like creature approaching me. In both incidents, the "bad" has seemed to win or have the last say. Is this significant in any way?

Answer:

Unfortunately I think that you have experienced something that is common in a lot of religious circles when dealing with sleep paralysis. If you look back into the history of sleep paralysis you will find that many of the old stories of demon possession ties into this. This same event is also the cause for the word “nightmare” comes from the name Mara as it was a type of demon that would sit on the chest of others holding them down while tormenting them.

One reason that people experience anxiety based hallucinations during this period of sleep is because during the transformation phase between NREM and REM (where sleep paralysis accurse) our brains are going through a type of modulation or the shutting down and starting up of specific areas. One of these key points in our brain that is activated is the amygdala which in some research has shown to be the start to the process of dreaming itself. The amygdala is this one specific area of our brain that causes us to feel fear and anxiety and if it becomes activated to the point it does in sleep, well then you very well can have a very scary dream. The paralysis either shortly follows this process or is activated slightly before so that the body doesn’t act out its dreams. Some research has shown that this is normal process; however remembering or being fully conscious during the transition is out of the norm.

Researchers still do not know why we dream or even how we dream, though they are continuing to research the area and understand more. It is important to not take our dreams too serious but also to not over look them, as they may have some underlying information of what we want, or how we perceive things. In a short answer your dreams may have meaning but no one can answer that question for you but yourself.

-L

Poster Support

R and I started this blog in order to help other people but after a good 6 months of posting R and I have become very busy with school/work and have little time to gather the information needed for new and informative posts. It is my goal with this blog to have information posted at least 3 times a week with questions, answers, and studies that could help others to gain a better understanding of sleep and better sleep. Our view on how to approach this information is by supported research into the areas that are related to sleep and to exclude any type of information that may be highly speculative. If you notice, we also try to leave out words such as "proven" and "truth" and "fact" as science does neither of those things.

I am interested in a few individuals to help out with the blog that have a passion for those things posted above. I will also be continuing to post as I am currently but I would like to get some more knowledgeable individuals to join the group. If you are interested feel free to e-mail me at cyristvirus@gmail.com with some information about yourself, such as education level, years of experience in the sleep community, and why you would like to help out.

Thanks and stay alter for further posts about sleep.

-L

Poster Support

R and I started this blog in order to help other people but after a good 6 months of posting R and I have become very busy with school/work and have little time to gather the information needed for new and informative posts. It is my goal with this blog to have information posted at least 3 times a week with questions, answers, and studies that could help others to gain a better understanding of sleep and better sleep. Our view on how to approach this information is by supported research into the areas that are related to sleep and to exclude any type of information that may be highly speculative. If you notice, we also try to leave out words such as "proven" and "truth" and "fact" as science does neither of those things.

I am interested in a few individuals to help out with the blog that have a passion for those things posted above. I will also be continuing to post as I am currently but I would like to get some more knowledgeable individuals to join the group. If you are interested feel free to e-mail me at cyristvirus@gmail.com with some information about yourself, such as education level, years of experience in the sleep community, and why you would like to help out.

Thanks and stay alter for further posts about sleep.

-L

Poster Support

R and I started this blog in order to help other people but after a good 6 months of posting R and I have become very busy with school/work and have little time to gather the information needed for new and informative posts. It is my goal with this blog to have information posted at least 3 times a week with questions, answers, and studies that could help others to gain a better understanding of sleep and better sleep. Our view on how to approach this information is by supported research into the areas that are related to sleep and to exclude any type of information that may be highly speculative. If you notice, we also try to leave out words such as "proven" and "truth" and "fact" as science does neither of those things.

I am interested in a few individuals to help out with the blog that have a passion for those things posted above. I will also be continuing to post as I am currently but I would like to get some more knowledgeable individuals to join the group. If you are interested feel free to e-mail me at cyristvirus@gmail.com with some information about yourself, such as education level, years of experience in the sleep community, and why you would like to help out.

Thanks and stay alter for further posts about sleep.

-L

Poster Support

R and I started this blog in order to help other people but after a good 6 months of posting R and I have become very busy with school/work and have little time to gather the information needed for new and informative posts. It is my goal with this blog to have information posted at least 3 times a week with questions, answers, and studies that could help others to gain a better understanding of sleep and better sleep. Our view on how to approach this information is by supported research into the areas that are related to sleep and to exclude any type of information that may be highly speculative. If you notice, we also try to leave out words such as "proven" and "truth" and "fact" as science does neither of those things.

I am interested in a few individuals to help out with the blog that have a passion for those things posted above. I will also be continuing to post as I am currently but I would like to get some more knowledgeable individuals to join the group. If you are interested feel free to e-mail me at cyristvirus@gmail.com with some information about yourself, such as education level, years of experience in the sleep community, and why you would like to help out.

Thanks and stay alter for further posts about sleep.

-L

Amygdala Causes Transition

Every once in a while I have a great day, everything is fine and then I go to sleep and have a horrible night mare. I wonder why this is. Is it because of Freud’s disguise censorship as my subconscious mind having a strong need to scary the living bejesus out of me, or something more? As many of you know by now, I am not an avid supporter of Freud’s dreams theories and tend to believe that all of this is some type of process.

As I am still reading the book “The New Science of Dreaming: Volume 2” I have found some interesting information on the process of sleep and the amygdala’s involvement. Apparently the amygdala is the head stone in the process of the activation of the pontine cholinergic arousal system by modifying the firing properties of the entire current online aminergic system.

In my understanding of this sleep modulation system, the amygdala would be one of the starting portions of the transition of NREM and REM sleep. Since the amygdala is consisted the area of emotion especially that of anxiety and fear, we could explain for why such terrible nightmares are experienced as night terrors during NREM stage 3 of sleep. It would also suggest that everyone may have these experiences as they would be normal but remembering them seems anything but normal. This is just a slight amount of support into the belief that helping the transition from NREM and REM would reduce the length and remembrance of night terrors.

-L

Amygdala Causes Transition

Every once in a while I have a great day, everything is fine and then I go to sleep and have a horrible night mare. I wonder why this is. Is it because of Freud’s disguise censorship as my subconscious mind having a strong need to scary the living bejesus out of me, or something more? As many of you know by now, I am not an avid supporter of Freud’s dreams theories and tend to believe that all of this is some type of process.

As I am still reading the book “The New Science of Dreaming: Volume 2” I have found some interesting information on the process of sleep and the amygdala’s involvement. Apparently the amygdala is the head stone in the process of the activation of the pontine cholinergic arousal system by modifying the firing properties of the entire current online aminergic system.

In my understanding of this sleep modulation system, the amygdala would be one of the starting portions of the transition of NREM and REM sleep. Since the amygdala is consisted the area of emotion especially that of anxiety and fear, we could explain for why such terrible nightmares are experienced as night terrors during NREM stage 3 of sleep. It would also suggest that everyone may have these experiences as they would be normal but remembering them seems anything but normal. This is just a slight amount of support into the belief that helping the transition from NREM and REM would reduce the length and remembrance of night terrors.

-L

Amygdala Causes Transition

Every once in a while I have a great day, everything is fine and then I go to sleep and have a horrible night mare. I wonder why this is. Is it because of Freud’s disguise censorship as my subconscious mind having a strong need to scary the living bejesus out of me, or something more? As many of you know by now, I am not an avid supporter of Freud’s dreams theories and tend to believe that all of this is some type of process.

As I am still reading the book “The New Science of Dreaming: Volume 2” I have found some interesting information on the process of sleep and the amygdala’s involvement. Apparently the amygdala is the head stone in the process of the activation of the pontine cholinergic arousal system by modifying the firing properties of the entire current online aminergic system.

In my understanding of this sleep modulation system, the amygdala would be one of the starting portions of the transition of NREM and REM sleep. Since the amygdala is consisted the area of emotion especially that of anxiety and fear, we could explain for why such terrible nightmares are experienced as night terrors during NREM stage 3 of sleep. It would also suggest that everyone may have these experiences as they would be normal but remembering them seems anything but normal. This is just a slight amount of support into the belief that helping the transition from NREM and REM would reduce the length and remembrance of night terrors.

-L

Amygdala Causes Transition

Every once in a while I have a great day, everything is fine and then I go to sleep and have a horrible night mare. I wonder why this is. Is it because of Freud’s disguise censorship as my subconscious mind having a strong need to scary the living bejesus out of me, or something more? As many of you know by now, I am not an avid supporter of Freud’s dreams theories and tend to believe that all of this is some type of process.

As I am still reading the book “The New Science of Dreaming: Volume 2” I have found some interesting information on the process of sleep and the amygdala’s involvement. Apparently the amygdala is the head stone in the process of the activation of the pontine cholinergic arousal system by modifying the firing properties of the entire current online aminergic system.

In my understanding of this sleep modulation system, the amygdala would be one of the starting portions of the transition of NREM and REM sleep. Since the amygdala is consisted the area of emotion especially that of anxiety and fear, we could explain for why such terrible nightmares are experienced as night terrors during NREM stage 3 of sleep. It would also suggest that everyone may have these experiences as they would be normal but remembering them seems anything but normal. This is just a slight amount of support into the belief that helping the transition from NREM and REM would reduce the length and remembrance of night terrors.

-L

Dr. Strassman Interview

Today I got the chance to ask a few questions to Dr. Strassman, author of “DMT: The Spirit Molecule” and co author of “Inner Paths to Outer Space.” Questions range from the upcoming movie titled DMT: The Spirit Molecule (yes just as the book) and about the future research being done on the topic of DMT. Here is what Dr. Strassman had to say:

What got you interested in researching psychedelics or the pursuit into how our brains possibly formulate indigenous psychedelics?

I was struck by how similar reports of mystical experiences were to those made by people experiencing big psychedelic trips. I thought that mystical experiences may be related to endogenous psychedelics.

In relation to sleep, Dr. Callaway seemed to pave the way for many of your ideas into the possibility for an indigenous psychedelic being produced at that time. Do you support the idea that indigenous DMT is the possible cause for our dreams during REM sleep?

Jace suggests that pinoline, a pineal MAOI, allows endogenous DMT to be more effective during REM sleep. We don't know the dynamics of endogenous DMT, so that's why the LSU group is developing a new generation assay to more accurately and sensitively measure DMT and related compounds in humans. Once we've got normal values in normal people during normal wakefullness, we can start looking at differences in states, conditions, and so on.

In your book “DMT: The Spirit Molecule” you proposed the hypothesis that DMT is synthesized in the pineal gland. I have noticed that many websites and forums misquote you about DMT being factually formulated there. I know that you never said it was, but has there been any further research into the area and what has become of that hypothesis since your last study?

I regret not being more clear about the hypothetical nature of the DMT-pineal link. There is one paper in which human pineal tissue is ground up and put into a test tube; then the precursors for 5-methoxy-DMT are added, stirred, and warmed, and out comes 5-methoxy-DMT. We have no data on intact, in-person pineal gland DMT synthesis. That's one of the questions we hope to answer with our new assay at LSU. While the pineal link remains speculative, it is established that lung makes lots of DMT.

What was the most profound idea that you took from your research on DMT at the New Mexico clinic?

There is a spiritual level of reality, and it does not depend upon our observing it.

I remember reading in your book “DMT: The Spirit Molecule” that you took a break from research into the psychedelics. I have recently read that you may recently be conducting further research into psychedelics. If so what got you back into that work and what type of new research are you working on?

I set up a foundation, Cottonwood Research Foundation, to see if we could get a free-standing institute off the ground to perform research less constrained by University logistics. Right now it's mostly functioning as a clearing-house and think tank. I'm collaborating with several other researchers in the development of research protocols and/or interpretation of their data. I'm working on another book project, which takes all my time, so Cottonwood isn't getting the attention it deserves.

According to the website http://www.thespiritmolecule.com/ they are producing a movie based on the title of your book. What type of involvement (if any) have you contributed to the movie?

I'm a co-producer, have rounded up most of the interviewees, and performed most of the interviews.

In respects to current laws on psychedelic drugs, what do you see as happening in the future with how psychedelics are controlled?

Schedule I is a bit unwieldy, as these drugs are being used safely in research and are generating important data - that is 2 of the 3 criteria for Schedule I (not safe; no use) are being made irrelevant by current research projects. Perhaps a new Schedule could emerge which requires significant additional training in order to use these drugs in non-research settings, once some utility is established for them.

What do you see as some of the positive uses of psychedelics being in relation to psychiatry?

These drugs help us understand the biology of consciousness; and they may be helpful in treatment of various conditions or problems.

If you could start over, would you have done the research into DMT or what other area of research would you spend more of your time on?

I needed more of a peer group within which to do my research, but that's usually the case when you're doing something no-one else has done for such a long time.

Thanks for your time Dr.

Hope that's helpful.

-L


Salvia divinorum, Kratom, San Pedro Cactus and more

Dr. Strassman Interview

Today I got the chance to ask a few questions to Dr. Strassman, author of “DMT: The Spirit Molecule” and co author of “Inner Paths to Outer Space.” Questions range from the upcoming movie titled DMT: The Spirit Molecule (yes just as the book) and about the future research being done on the topic of DMT. Here is what Dr. Strassman had to say:

What got you interested in researching psychedelics or the pursuit into how our brains possibly formulate indigenous psychedelics?

I was struck by how similar reports of mystical experiences were to those made by people experiencing big psychedelic trips. I thought that mystical experiences may be related to endogenous psychedelics.

In relation to sleep, Dr. Callaway seemed to pave the way for many of your ideas into the possibility for an indigenous psychedelic being produced at that time. Do you support the idea that indigenous DMT is the possible cause for our dreams during REM sleep?

Jace suggests that pinoline, a pineal MAOI, allows endogenous DMT to be more effective during REM sleep. We don't know the dynamics of endogenous DMT, so that's why the LSU group is developing a new generation assay to more accurately and sensitively measure DMT and related compounds in humans. Once we've got normal values in normal people during normal wakefullness, we can start looking at differences in states, conditions, and so on.

In your book “DMT: The Spirit Molecule” you proposed the hypothesis that DMT is synthesized in the pineal gland. I have noticed that many websites and forums misquote you about DMT being factually formulated there. I know that you never said it was, but has there been any further research into the area and what has become of that hypothesis since your last study?

I regret not being more clear about the hypothetical nature of the DMT-pineal link. There is one paper in which human pineal tissue is ground up and put into a test tube; then the precursors for 5-methoxy-DMT are added, stirred, and warmed, and out comes 5-methoxy-DMT. We have no data on intact, in-person pineal gland DMT synthesis. That's one of the questions we hope to answer with our new assay at LSU. While the pineal link remains speculative, it is established that lung makes lots of DMT.

What was the most profound idea that you took from your research on DMT at the New Mexico clinic?

There is a spiritual level of reality, and it does not depend upon our observing it.

I remember reading in your book “DMT: The Spirit Molecule” that you took a break from research into the psychedelics. I have recently read that you may recently be conducting further research into psychedelics. If so what got you back into that work and what type of new research are you working on?

I set up a foundation, Cottonwood Research Foundation, to see if we could get a free-standing institute off the ground to perform research less constrained by University logistics. Right now it's mostly functioning as a clearing-house and think tank. I'm collaborating with several other researchers in the development of research protocols and/or interpretation of their data. I'm working on another book project, which takes all my time, so Cottonwood isn't getting the attention it deserves.

According to the website http://www.thespiritmolecule.com/ they are producing a movie based on the title of your book. What type of involvement (if any) have you contributed to the movie?

I'm a co-producer, have rounded up most of the interviewees, and performed most of the interviews.

In respects to current laws on psychedelic drugs, what do you see as happening in the future with how psychedelics are controlled?

Schedule I is a bit unwieldy, as these drugs are being used safely in research and are generating important data - that is 2 of the 3 criteria for Schedule I (not safe; no use) are being made irrelevant by current research projects. Perhaps a new Schedule could emerge which requires significant additional training in order to use these drugs in non-research settings, once some utility is established for them.

What do you see as some of the positive uses of psychedelics being in relation to psychiatry?

These drugs help us understand the biology of consciousness; and they may be helpful in treatment of various conditions or problems.

If you could start over, would you have done the research into DMT or what other area of research would you spend more of your time on?

I needed more of a peer group within which to do my research, but that's usually the case when you're doing something no-one else has done for such a long time.

Thanks for your time Dr.

Hope that's helpful.

-L


Salvia divinorum, Kratom, San Pedro Cactus and more

Dr. Strassman Interview

Today I got the chance to ask a few questions to Dr. Strassman, author of “DMT: The Spirit Molecule” and co author of “Inner Paths to Outer Space.” Questions range from the upcoming movie titled DMT: The Spirit Molecule (yes just as the book) and about the future research being done on the topic of DMT. Here is what Dr. Strassman had to say:

What got you interested in researching psychedelics or the pursuit into how our brains possibly formulate indigenous psychedelics?

I was struck by how similar reports of mystical experiences were to those made by people experiencing big psychedelic trips. I thought that mystical experiences may be related to endogenous psychedelics.

In relation to sleep, Dr. Callaway seemed to pave the way for many of your ideas into the possibility for an indigenous psychedelic being produced at that time. Do you support the idea that indigenous DMT is the possible cause for our dreams during REM sleep?

Jace suggests that pinoline, a pineal MAOI, allows endogenous DMT to be more effective during REM sleep. We don't know the dynamics of endogenous DMT, so that's why the LSU group is developing a new generation assay to more accurately and sensitively measure DMT and related compounds in humans. Once we've got normal values in normal people during normal wakefullness, we can start looking at differences in states, conditions, and so on.

In your book “DMT: The Spirit Molecule” you proposed the hypothesis that DMT is synthesized in the pineal gland. I have noticed that many websites and forums misquote you about DMT being factually formulated there. I know that you never said it was, but has there been any further research into the area and what has become of that hypothesis since your last study?

I regret not being more clear about the hypothetical nature of the DMT-pineal link. There is one paper in which human pineal tissue is ground up and put into a test tube; then the precursors for 5-methoxy-DMT are added, stirred, and warmed, and out comes 5-methoxy-DMT. We have no data on intact, in-person pineal gland DMT synthesis. That's one of the questions we hope to answer with our new assay at LSU. While the pineal link remains speculative, it is established that lung makes lots of DMT.

What was the most profound idea that you took from your research on DMT at the New Mexico clinic?

There is a spiritual level of reality, and it does not depend upon our observing it.

I remember reading in your book “DMT: The Spirit Molecule” that you took a break from research into the psychedelics. I have recently read that you may recently be conducting further research into psychedelics. If so what got you back into that work and what type of new research are you working on?

I set up a foundation, Cottonwood Research Foundation, to see if we could get a free-standing institute off the ground to perform research less constrained by University logistics. Right now it's mostly functioning as a clearing-house and think tank. I'm collaborating with several other researchers in the development of research protocols and/or interpretation of their data. I'm working on another book project, which takes all my time, so Cottonwood isn't getting the attention it deserves.

According to the website http://www.thespiritmolecule.com/ they are producing a movie based on the title of your book. What type of involvement (if any) have you contributed to the movie?

I'm a co-producer, have rounded up most of the interviewees, and performed most of the interviews.

In respects to current laws on psychedelic drugs, what do you see as happening in the future with how psychedelics are controlled?

Schedule I is a bit unwieldy, as these drugs are being used safely in research and are generating important data - that is 2 of the 3 criteria for Schedule I (not safe; no use) are being made irrelevant by current research projects. Perhaps a new Schedule could emerge which requires significant additional training in order to use these drugs in non-research settings, once some utility is established for them.

What do you see as some of the positive uses of psychedelics being in relation to psychiatry?

These drugs help us understand the biology of consciousness; and they may be helpful in treatment of various conditions or problems.

If you could start over, would you have done the research into DMT or what other area of research would you spend more of your time on?

I needed more of a peer group within which to do my research, but that's usually the case when you're doing something no-one else has done for such a long time.

Thanks for your time Dr.

Hope that's helpful.

-L


Salvia divinorum, Kratom, San Pedro Cactus and more

Dr. Strassman Interview

Today I got the chance to ask a few questions to Dr. Strassman, author of “DMT: The Spirit Molecule” and co author of “Inner Paths to Outer Space.” Questions range from the upcoming movie titled DMT: The Spirit Molecule (yes just as the book) and about the future research being done on the topic of DMT. Here is what Dr. Strassman had to say:


What got you interested in researching psychedelics or the pursuit into how our brains possibly formulate indigenous psychedelics?

I was struck by how similar reports of mystical experiences were to those made by people experiencing big psychedelic trips. I thought that mystical experiences may be related to endogenous psychedelics.

In relation to sleep, Dr. Callaway seemed to pave the way for many of your ideas into the possibility for an indigenous psychedelic being produced at that time. Do you support the idea that indigenous DMT is the possible cause for our dreams during REM sleep?

Jace suggests that pinoline, a pineal MAOI, allows endogenous DMT to be more effective during REM sleep. We don't know the dynamics of endogenous DMT, so that's why the LSU group is developing a new generation assay to more accurately and sensitively measure DMT and related compounds in humans. Once we've got normal values in normal people during normal wakefullness, we can start looking at differences in states, conditions, and so on.

In your book “DMT: The Spirit Molecule” you proposed the hypothesis that DMT is synthesized in the pineal gland. I have noticed that many websites and forums misquote you about DMT being factually formulated there. I know that you never said it was, but has there been any further research into the area and what has become of that hypothesis since your last study?

I regret not being more clear about the hypothetical nature of the DMT-pineal link. There is one paper in which human pineal tissue is ground up and put into a test tube; then the precursors for 5-methoxy-DMT are added, stirred, and warmed, and out comes 5-methoxy-DMT. We have no data on intact, in-person pineal gland DMT synthesis. That's one of the questions we hope to answer with our new assay at LSU. While the pineal link remains speculative, it is established that lung makes lots of DMT.

What was the most profound idea that you took from your research on DMT at the New Mexico clinic?

There is a spiritual level of reality, and it does not depend upon our observing it.

I remember reading in your book “DMT: The Spirit Molecule” that you took a break from research into the psychedelics. I have recently read that you may recently be conducting further research into psychedelics. If so what got you back into that work and what type of new research are you working on?

I set up a foundation, Cottonwood Research Foundation, to see if we could get a free-standing institute off the ground to perform research less constrained by University logistics. Right now it's mostly functioning as a clearing-house and think tank. I'm collaborating with several other researchers in the development of research protocols and/or interpretation of their data. I'm working on another book project, which takes all my time, so Cottonwood isn't getting the attention it deserves.

According to the website http://www.thespiritmolecule.com/ they are producing a movie based on the title of your book. What type of involvement (if any) have you contributed to the movie?

I'm a co-producer, have rounded up most of the interviewees, and performed most of the interviews.

In respects to current laws on psychedelic drugs, what do you see as happening in the future with how psychedelics are controlled?

Schedule I is a bit unwieldy, as these drugs are being used safely in research and are generating important data - that is 2 of the 3 criteria for Schedule I (not safe; no use) are being made irrelevant by current research projects. Perhaps a new Schedule could emerge which requires significant additional training in order to use these drugs in non-research settings, once some utility is established for them.

What do you see as some of the positive uses of psychedelics being in relation to psychiatry?

These drugs help us understand the biology of consciousness; and they may be helpful in treatment of various conditions or problems.

If you could start over, would you have done the research into DMT or what other area of research would you spend more of your time on?

I needed more of a peer group within which to do my research, but that's usually the case when you're doing something no-one else has done for such a long time.

Thanks for your time Dr.

Hope that's helpful.

-L

Histamines Hits Again

Though I like to stay away from information gathered from websites since they seem to be mainly opinionated by the writer, I have however stepped onto some great information about histamines and histaminergic neurons involved in the process of sleep.

In the past I have touched on the subject that histamines play a great role into the process of sleep induction as they are today considered one of the most indigenous sleep inducers known to us today, however what other information is out there that supports this topic and what have we done so far to promote histamines as a helpful sleep aid?

The article posted on the website says it all, or at least more than I know about the histamines.

http://ura1195-6.univ-lyon1.fr/articles/lin/frenchcorner/sommaire.html

For those who don’t want to really read the article or have a life (unlike myself) I will do my best to sum up what Dr. Lin had to say.

Over the last few years researchers have started to understand that histamines are not just some by product of many of the histaminergic based allergy medicines that seem to promote you to fall asleep after reducing your itching burning feeling, no they are also a neurotransmitter that promote wakefulness and sleepiness. They do so in such great effects that the action of lesions of such receptors that react to histamines, has the reaction of hypersomnia. Anti histamines show the opposite effects as they promote sleep.

As said before it would not make senses that melatonin is the cause of our sleep, since nocturnal animals create more melatonin at night then during the day and seem to be more awake than ever. Research backs up the concept that histamines are the natural modulator for sleep and promoting the histaminergic production awake, and anti-histamine based chemicals at night, can help produce a positive transition between waking and NREM sleep. I would go as far as saying that supporting this transition would reduce the causes of NT and sleep paralysis, though no research has been conducted that I know about (I will look for some).

I highly suggest reading the above article and help that it might help some of you get positive and better sleep than you had before. In an age where we stay up late, get up early, stress out, don’t exercise, and eat very poorly (even for those who say they eat good)… we need all the help we can get to get better rest and promote whatever the reason we sleep to do whatever it is it does.

-L

Histamines Hits Again

Though I like to stay away from information gathered from websites since they seem to be mainly opinionated by the writer, I have however stepped onto some great information about histamines and histaminergic neurons involved in the process of sleep.

In the past I have touched on the subject that histamines play a great role into the process of sleep induction as they are today considered one of the most indigenous sleep inducers known to us today, however what other information is out there that supports this topic and what have we done so far to promote histamines as a helpful sleep aid?

The article posted on the website says it all, or at least more than I know about the histamines.

http://ura1195-6.univ-lyon1.fr/articles/lin/frenchcorner/sommaire.html

For those who don’t want to really read the article or have a life (unlike myself) I will do my best to sum up what Dr. Lin had to say.

Over the last few years researchers have started to understand that histamines are not just some by product of many of the histaminergic based allergy medicines that seem to promote you to fall asleep after reducing your itching burning feeling, no they are also a neurotransmitter that promote wakefulness and sleepiness. They do so in such great effects that the action of lesions of such receptors that react to histamines, has the reaction of hypersomnia. Anti histamines show the opposite effects as they promote sleep.

As said before it would not make senses that melatonin is the cause of our sleep, since nocturnal animals create more melatonin at night then during the day and seem to be more awake than ever. Research backs up the concept that histamines are the natural modulator for sleep and promoting the histaminergic production awake, and anti-histamine based chemicals at night, can help produce a positive transition between waking and NREM sleep. I would go as far as saying that supporting this transition would reduce the causes of NT and sleep paralysis, though no research has been conducted that I know about (I will look for some).

I highly suggest reading the above article and help that it might help some of you get positive and better sleep than you had before. In an age where we stay up late, get up early, stress out, don’t exercise, and eat very poorly (even for those who say they eat good)… we need all the help we can get to get better rest and promote whatever the reason we sleep to do whatever it is it does.

-L

Histamines Hits Again

Though I like to stay away from information gathered from websites since they seem to be mainly opinionated by the writer, I have however stepped onto some great information about histamines and histaminergic neurons involved in the process of sleep.

In the past I have touched on the subject that histamines play a great role into the process of sleep induction as they are today considered one of the most indigenous sleep inducers known to us today, however what other information is out there that supports this topic and what have we done so far to promote histamines as a helpful sleep aid?

The article posted on the website says it all, or at least more than I know about the histamines.

http://ura1195-6.univ-lyon1.fr/articles/lin/frenchcorner/sommaire.html

For those who don’t want to really read the article or have a life (unlike myself) I will do my best to sum up what Dr. Lin had to say.

Over the last few years researchers have started to understand that histamines are not just some by product of many of the histaminergic based allergy medicines that seem to promote you to fall asleep after reducing your itching burning feeling, no they are also a neurotransmitter that promote wakefulness and sleepiness. They do so in such great effects that the action of lesions of such receptors that react to histamines, has the reaction of hypersomnia. Anti histamines show the opposite effects as they promote sleep.

As said before it would not make senses that melatonin is the cause of our sleep, since nocturnal animals create more melatonin at night then during the day and seem to be more awake than ever. Research backs up the concept that histamines are the natural modulator for sleep and promoting the histaminergic production awake, and anti-histamine based chemicals at night, can help produce a positive transition between waking and NREM sleep. I would go as far as saying that supporting this transition would reduce the causes of NT and sleep paralysis, though no research has been conducted that I know about (I will look for some).

I highly suggest reading the above article and help that it might help some of you get positive and better sleep than you had before. In an age where we stay up late, get up early, stress out, don’t exercise, and eat very poorly (even for those who say they eat good)… we need all the help we can get to get better rest and promote whatever the reason we sleep to do whatever it is it does.

-L

Histamines Hits Again

Though I like to stay away from information gathered from websites since they seem to be mainly opinionated by the writer, I have however stepped onto some great information about histamines and histaminergic neurons involved in the process of sleep.

In the past I have touched on the subject that histamines play a great role into the process of sleep induction as they are today considered one of the most indigenous sleep inducers known to us today, however what other information is out there that supports this topic and what have we done so far to promote histamines as a helpful sleep aid?

The article posted on the website says it all, or at least more than I know about the histamines.

http://ura1195-6.univ-lyon1.fr/articles/lin/frenchcorner/sommaire.html

For those who don’t want to really read the article or have a life (unlike myself) I will do my best to sum up what Dr. Lin had to say.

Over the last few years researchers have started to understand that histamines are not just some by product of many of the histaminergic based allergy medicines that seem to promote you to fall asleep after reducing your itching burning feeling, no they are also a neurotransmitter that promote wakefulness and sleepiness. They do so in such great effects that the action of lesions of such receptors that react to histamines, has the reaction of hypersomnia. Anti histamines show the opposite effects as they promote sleep.

As said before it would not make senses that melatonin is the cause of our sleep, since nocturnal animals create more melatonin at night then during the day and seem to be more awake than ever. Research backs up the concept that histamines are the natural modulator for sleep and promoting the histaminergic production awake, and anti-histamine based chemicals at night, can help produce a positive transition between waking and NREM sleep. I would go as far as saying that supporting this transition would reduce the causes of NT and sleep paralysis, though no research has been conducted that I know about (I will look for some).

I highly suggest reading the above article and help that it might help some of you get positive and better sleep than you had before. In an age where we stay up late, get up early, stress out, don’t exercise, and eat very poorly (even for those who say they eat good)… we need all the help we can get to get better rest and promote whatever the reason we sleep to do whatever it is it does.

-L