Scientists Want to Know More About DMT Entities People Encounter
DMT is one of the most potent entheogens known to man, and the trip it induces is significantly different than other psychoactive substances. Users describe being transported to a distant realm where they meet seemingly autonomous entities, and often those same entities appear to different people. Now, researchers are attempting to catalog these experiences to figure out just what, or who, those DMT entities are.
DMT comes in more than one form and is an endogenous compound found in a multitude of plants, animals, and humans. Since it was synthesized in 1956 by Hungarian chemist Stephen Szara, it has baffled both users and researchers alike.
Recently, Dr. Roland Griffiths, a behavioral psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins University, published a questionnaire asking anyone who has taken DMT and met autonomous entities–beings that seem to act independently of one’s self–to provide details of their experience.
The questionnaire asks about dosage and whether users had a “breakthrough” experience, which is sometimes referred to as “blasting off.” During these higher doses, users feel as if they were transported outside their bodies to another dimension by seeming to breakthrough a membrane of sorts – not unlike being reborn into a psychedelic plane.
In a separate study, Dr. Rick Strassman and Andrew Gallimore have proposed an experiment to keep someone in the DMT realm for an extended period through intravenous administration. The idea was inspired by one of Strassman’s clinical tests involving four psychedelic doses given to subjects, during which themes and a storyline evolved over the course of multiple trips.
These studies hope to uncover some of the similarities between disparate participants’ trips to see if the DMT realm may actually exist outside human consciousness, rather than being a product of it.
Thought leaders in the psychedelic world including Terrence McKenna, Graham Hancock, and Daniel Pinchbeck have provided some interesting insights into their own experiences consuming DMT, Ayahuasca, and similar variants; below are some of their stories.
DMT Aliens and Elves
Terrence McKenna, the eminent psychonaut who devoted his life to exploring the many realms of the psychedelic experience, distilled his 30 to 40 DMT trips down to one general experience when speaking to an audience in 1994.
During this speech, he painted a picture in his audience’s mind that became a common description of specific entities many claim to have met during a DMT session. Though he conceded that words were insufficient to describe them, he referred to them as the machine elves.
McKenna described his experience and the approximate amount of DMT needed to be smoked to achieve the “breakthrough.” From there, he describes hearing an ever increasing, high-pitched noise, similar to the sound of ripping cellophane or a crackling flame, before physically breaking through a membrane and arriving in the DMT reality – a place completely alien from the reality we know.
McKenna names this place the dome, the first archetypal location that he acknowledges DMT “aficionados” will know what he’s referring to. Many people find themselves in this domed, usually subterranean, place characterized by its jeweled, geodesic, and fractalized qualities.
There McKenna describes being met by the so-called machine elves who cheer “hooray” and are clearly enthralled by his presence. He references the Pink Floyd lyrics, “the gnomes have learned a new way to say ‘hooray,’” believing they may be referencing a similar psychedelic experience, that same archetype of the machine gnome.
McKenna says they tell him they’re happy he’s made it and that he doesn’t visit often enough. He describes the elves, not like we might imagine elves, but as squeaking, jeweled, self-dribbling basketballs made of grammar and light.
These DMT entities keep him on task and prevent him from being too awestruck by the wonders he sees. Instead they encourage him to create physical reality through song, like they do.
Acknowledging that roughly five percent of users experience these similar visions and sensations, McKenna had clearly done some research to uncover the learnings that Dr. Griffiths is searching for.
McKenna also described his experiences with DMT as alien, imagining that if aliens exist they might hide in these experiences. He imagines an ethical extraterrestrial entity perceiving humans as “hard-headed, rationalists,” that only open themselves up to mystical experiences by ingesting psychedelic compounds, or as he puts it “getting loaded.”
Though many find the DMT trip to be too bizarre to attach any profundity to, McKenna found it deeply meaningful. He believed it could be a glimpse into reality after death, a parallel spirit realm existing not too far from our own.
This takeaway seems to be more common from DMT’s more spiritual medium; the Ayahusca brew. Graham Hancock, among others, shares that sentiment.
Graham Hancock’s Ayahuasca Entities
Hancock has been a vociferous proponent of the medicinal power of Ayahuasca in shamanic ceremonies. An avid consumer, Hancock says he participates in these rituals multiple times per year, touting the medicine as having cured him of a lifetime of chronic migraines and a cannabis habit he realized had negative impacts on his life.
But when he speaks about his experiences with the DMT-containing Ayahuasca, he says he experiences a recurring entity that is always concerned with his well-being. He refers to this DMT entity as Mother Ayahuasca.
Hancock says he believes every adult has the right to choose to use cannabis and that he believes it has practical uses, but he found his chronic abuse was beginning to wear on his life and his partner. After decades of using cannabis, he was told by Mother Ayahuasca that the plant was no longer serving him. He said she reviewed his life and showed him his death, depicting what would happen if he continued on his path.
Hancock stopped using the plant, explaining that it felt as if a monkey was lifted off his back, leading to a mental clarity that improved nearly every aspect of his life.
But Hancock also points out that there are other entities in the DMT realm that don’t have our best interests in mind. He mentions negative entities that want to hoodwink us, much like an archetypal demon. He says he met many of these entities when he was shown his death, describing them like something out of a Hieronymus Bosh painting.
That Ayahuasca Mother Hancock so endearingly references, often shows itself in the form of animals as well. A snake is a common entity taken by Mother Ayahuasca, and in his book, The Cosmic Serpent, Jeremy Narby asserts that the DNA double helix was shown to humans through the serpentine entities of Ayahuasca.
The serpent has been represented throughout various cultural symbols, such as the caduceus, kundalini life force, the Mayan god Quetzalcoatl, and the serpent in the Garden of Eden.
Jaguars are another DMT entity often experienced through Ayahuasca. In fact, shamans are said to be able to physically turn into a jaguar at will, something attained through becoming one with this entity over the course of many ceremonies.
Daniel Pinchbeck’s DMT Demons
With many psychedelic experiences, users are often confronted with bottled-up emotions, forcing them to deal with issues that may not be pleasant – the death of the ego, as it were. These feelings, buried under layers of emotional scar tissue, can be difficult to deal with and can manifest in the form of ostensibly physical demons.
This can be incredibly frightening during the trip, but users often report a sense of accomplishment or closure for dealing with them after the fact. The term ‘confronting your demons’ can become very literal on psychotropic compounds.
But with DMT, this isn’t always the case. Rather than entities born from individual emotion, people describe meeting entirely autonomous entities, so bizarre and alien that one can’t possibly imagine having created them with their mind. Hence, the reason Dr. Griffiths is so intrigued.
In his book, Breaking Open the Head, Daniel Pinchbeck describes meeting negative autonomous entities that continued to haunt him for weeks after his trip with a DMT molecular variant called DPT.
Similar to some accounts of DMT entities, Pinchbeck said the beings he encountered expressed disdain or pity for his presence as a mere human. Others have said they experienced indifference from DMT entities or messages saying, “Ok, you’ve seen it, now leave.”
But with DPT, Pinchbeck was subjected to a terrifying world of gothic insects, lizards and winged creatures, describing it as a postmodern demonic MTV psychedelic. He realized in retrospect that taking a drug of that magnitude without the shamanic ceremonial aspect was disrespectful and maybe a factor in his frightening experience.
In the weeks following, Pinchbeck had strange synchronicities, bizarre dreams, and what he describes as a poltergeist in his apartment. Mirrors fell off the wall in the night, strange foreign bugs appeared, and unusual physical sensations plagued him. He confirmed the presence of negative energy with others and held an exorcism to rid himself of them.
In the end, a Buddhist meditation helped purge him of the demon, bringing his life back to normal. To Pinchbeck, the entities met on this DMT analogue couldn’t have been more real or more autonomous.
It’s hard to tell whether Dr. Griffiths and his colleagues will be able to uncover just what or who exactly these DMT entities are based solely on stories from strangers on the internet. Dr. Rick Strassman conducted a more in-depth experiment with his work creating the book and documentary, DMT: The Spirit Molecule, though Griffiths comes from a different filed of expertise.
Are these entities really autonomous beings living in a parallel dimension not too far from our own, and will probing deeper give us a better understanding of how they may relate to reality as we know it?
About the Author
What is DMT and why is it called "the God molecule"
DMT is a natural substance present in various plants and also in the human body, known for its powerful ability to induce expanded states of consciousness. Its effect has been compared to profound mystical experiences, which has earned it the nickname “the God molecule.”
In this article, we explore what is DMT, how it acts in the body, and why it is associated with the spiritual.
Table of Contents
- What is DMT and how does it act in the human body?
- The link between DMT and the pineal gland
- Link Placeholder
- Effects of DMT on perception and consciousness
- What are the ways DMT is consumed?
- Ayahuasca and DMT: an ancestral connection
- Is it possible to activate DMT naturally?
What is DMT and how does it act in the human body?
DMT, or dimethyltryptamine, is a naturally occurring psychedelic substance with a unique capacity: to facilitate access to non-ordinary realities and expanded states of consciousness. It is found in small amounts in some plants, animals, and also in the human brain. At a chemical level, it belongs to the tryptamine family, and its structure is very similar to serotonin, which explains its deep interaction with the nervous system.
When activated—either naturally or induced—DMT generates highly intense experiences that completely transform the perception of time, the body, and space. If consumed orally, it needs to be combined with enzymatic inhibitors (such as those present in ayahuasca) so that the body does not rapidly degrade it. Once active, it interacts with specific receptors in the brain, opening the door to experiences that many people describe as deeply spiritual and revealing.
What is most fascinating is that the human body produces DMT naturally. Although science is still exploring all its mechanisms, we know that this molecule may be involved in key processes such as dreams, deep meditative states, and near-death experiences. Everything suggests that DMT is a biological tool that allows us to connect with broader dimensions of consciousness.
The link between DMT and the pineal gland
The pineal gland, located at the center of the brain, has been considered since ancient times as a special organ, associated with spiritual perception and inner awakening. Ancestral traditions from different cultures have called it “the third eye” and have linked it to intuitive and transcendental abilities.
Various studies suggest that this gland could be the main source of endogenous DMT in the human body. Although research is ongoing, the presence of the necessary enzymes to synthesize DMT has already been identified in the pineal gland of mammals. This possibility reinforces what many spiritual traditions already intuited: that within the body itself there are natural mechanisms to access expanded realities.
Understanding this connection opens new perspectives on the biology of spirituality. If the pineal gland truly acts as a center for DMT release at key moments—such as birth, deep sleep, mystical ecstasy, or death—we may be facing one of the most valuable keys to understanding our innate capacity for transcendence.
DMT as a spiritual molecule or “the God molecule”
DMT has been called “the God molecule” because many of the experiences it induces coincide with ancient descriptions of mystical states. Those who have experienced it speak of a dissolution of the ego, encounters with entities of higher wisdom, and a profound sense of unity with the universe. This molecule seems to activate, within seconds, gateways that for many only open after years of meditation or intense spiritual practices.
Beyond the anecdotal, the similarities between personal experiences and traditional spiritual accounts are too consistent to be ignored. In cultures around the world, states induced by plants containing DMT have been used for ceremonial, healing, and visionary purposes. Everything indicates that this substance connects human beings with a dimension of consciousness that goes beyond the individual and the rational.
In the series Divine Science, available on Gaia, an entire episode is dedicated to exploring this phenomenon. The chapter DMT: Portals of Perception delves into how this molecule can open new possibilities for conscious evolution, access to other planes, and the understanding of our purpose in the cosmos. Through expert testimony and real experiences, the transformative potential of DMT as a tool for spiritual expansion is revealed.
Effects of DMT on perception and consciousness
The effects of DMT are intense and deeply transformative, even in small doses. At a perceptual level, it modifies the way time, space, personal identity, and connection with the environment are experienced. Below is a summary of some of the most commonly reported effects:
- Ego dissolution: The sense of personal identity temporarily fades. The individual experiences a consciousness without limits or separation.
- Perception of unity: Everything appears to be connected within a coherent network. There is a feeling of merging with the universe, nature, or a higher intelligence.
- Encounters with entities: Many users report having interacted with non-human beings. These presences are often perceived as guides or benevolent intelligences.
- Intensified geometry and light: The visions include vivid geometric patterns and intense colors. The environment becomes dynamic, bright, and charged with energy.
- Access to higher planes: There is a sense of having traveled to other dimensions. In those spaces, information is received that transcends ordinary logic.
What are the ways DMT is consumed?
DMT can be administered in various ways, and each method directly influences the duration, intensity, and nature of the experience. Below are the most common methods of consumption:
- Inhaled or vaporized: This is the fastest and most direct method. It produces an almost instantaneous effect that lasts between 5 and 15 minutes, with an abrupt onset and a highly visual and immersive experience.
- Smoked: Similar to vaporization, but using a pipe or mixed with dried herbs. Pulmonary absorption is rapid and generates an intense, short-lived experience.
- Injected (intramuscular or intravenous): Used mainly in scientific research contexts. It allows precise control of the dose and produces a brief but controlled experience.
- Oral (with MAOIs): It requires combining DMT with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as those found in ayahuasca. This combination allows DMT to become active through the digestive system, prolonging the effects for several hours.
- Insufflated (through the nose): Less common, but used in some traditional preparations such as yopo. It produces rapid effects, although less intense than those of direct inhalation.
Each route of administration opens a different type of perceptual portal, and choosing one over another depends on the context, intention, and level of preparation of the participant.
Ayahuasca and DMT: an ancestral connection
Ayahuasca is a sacred preparation used by Amazonian indigenous cultures since ancient times to access spiritual planes, heal trauma, and receive inner guidance. It combines two plants: Psychotria viridis, which contains DMT, and Banisteriopsis caapi, which provides the natural inhibitors necessary for DMT to be active orally and extend its effects for several hours.
Beyond its composition, ayahuasca is a medicine of consciousness, traditionally administered in ceremonies carefully guided by shamans. These rituals are not merely supportive: they are an energetic and spiritual container that facilitates the process of opening, transformation, and revelation. In this context, DMT is not experienced as an isolated molecule, but as a plant spirit with its own wisdom.
In recent decades, ayahuasca has reached communities around the world seeking profound experiences of inner expansion. When its spiritual dimension is respected and it is integrated with awareness, this medicine offers one of the most powerful and transformative accesses to the spiritual potential of DMT.
Is it possible to activate DMT naturally?
The human body produces DMT endogenously, and although the mechanism is not yet fully understood, there are practices that can promote its release. States such as deep sleep, intense meditation, fasting, and conscious breathing have been linked to neurological changes that could activate the production of this molecule. These techniques have been used for centuries by spiritual traditions seeking to access more subtle planes of reality.
One of the most well-known methods is holotropic breathing, a technique developed by psychiatrist Stanislav Grof, which uses specific breathing patterns to induce altered states of consciousness. It has also been observed that practices such as ecstatic dance, prolonged exposure to darkness, and ceremonial sound can trigger visions or intuitions similar to those generated by DMT. These experiences, although more subtle, can have an equally profound impact.
Activating DMT naturally is not only possible, but it can be part of a conscious and sustained spiritual path. Unlike the external use of psychedelics, these internal pathways require time, practice, and openness, but they offer genuine access to states of expansion that arise from within.
