Spiritual Molecule

Good idea. There are plenty of sci. interest in endogenous opioids; people want to know why/how they are generated within, and how they help. And ultimately understand the biochemistry of the "mind".
N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an Endogenous Hallucinogen: Past, Present, and Future Research to Determine Its Role and Function

excerpt from the above: The experiences derived from the administration of hallucinogens are often compared to dream states. However, the experience of administered hallucinogenic substances is far more intense, robust and overwhelming than the subtlety of mere dreams. By comparison, the natural biochemical processes for our related “hallucinatory” experiences are obviously far more highly regulated, occurring as an orchestrated and inherent function of the “normal” brain.
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Ethnobotanists in India might have more classified information on the plants and herbs in the himalayan regions of India and Nepal, as well as how the locals use it.

I wonder how the Ayahuasca leaves would taste if cooked to 3 whistles in a prestige cooker, mashed, salted and a Tadka of gingelly oil, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, urad, some cut green chilis, ginger, and curry leaves added on top, and served as a side for a meal. A serving of this in a meal, and an afternoon post-prandial nap, can get a person happy hallucinations, for sure. [ I looked at images of the leaves, it appears that the central nerve should be taken out -- much like preparing a betel leaf for making paan.]

 

Dear V sir,

Honestly, I did not know what/how to respond when I read your post - it indeed is an extremely complex subject, but decided to post my thoughts anyways. Thanks to my association with the yoga community, this topic often comes up - the magic mushrooms and the like, the breathing techniques, asanas etc! When I teach, I rarely offer to teach breathing techniques - personal preference because of various reasons. Even in asana, I try to understand not just the physical benefits but like to understand other benefits, observe a student while doing the pose etc. Anyways, mind is fascinating, no doubt about that! I understand everything you have written and my struggle is about 'after'....is it possible to reach that level with every single sitting of meditation or yoga? What happens if we can't? How do we handle that? When does something become a crutch and when does it become a natural state of being? I understand that cannot become a deterrent to try even. We should try, I have no doubt about it. I also know of many people who have found a balance of what works for them and do that on a regular basis - ah that balance! May be that is why we have the concept of Guru, I wonder and often!

 

Most commonly it is extracted from the root bark. The brown rolled up thing you see in the video. There are many internet recipes for how to coax the DMT out of the root with sodium hydroxide, and then extracting the DMT into an organic solvent like naphtha or petroleum ether. The banana leaves on top is a usual cooking method to have the steam go back into the soup or stew. The other semi dry leaves (if from the Ayahuasca plant) may also have the molecule, but all the internet info for DIY-DMT is from Mimosa hostilis bark.

I expect you to go to the World Ayahuasca Conference, coming up in about 3 weeks, put up your hand from the audience, and ask some questions:
World Ayahuasca Conference 2019

 

If those people sitting around the large open vessel, adding more water as the tea/soup/kashayam kept losing water to evaporation, etc.. could just think of getting a pressure cooker, even an aluminium one, the whole Ayahuasca Tea business would'a been done in an hour instead of taking days.
At home, you'd obviously go for an instant pot to make the mash. And use a French-Press to get the brew separated from the sludge. Serve with suggestive biscuits--dinosaurs, animals, and regular object shapes are popular with kids -- to seed good dreams.

 

moved....<==click this link to go where it's been moved

 

That is a very informative post, Viswa! I have heard of Ayahuasca in a couple of documentaries pertaining to treatment of cancer by the shamans in the Amazon. It was really good to read the physiological explanation for the experiences.

Like you said, the birth, death, NDE experiences etc. can be well explained and understood when explained this way. However, it also gives rise to some other questions.

How much potential does this have to get addictive? What happens if one experiences such bliss too often and hs to keep coming to reality each time? Wouldn't that be very painful. Am really glad Avahuasca is not available in this part of the world, otherwise I might have been tempted to try it!!!