Psychedelic Research Finds Ego Exists in The Default Mode Network
Researchers studying psychedelics have found themselves in the midst of a scientific renaissance as taboos fade and their work yields profound results. One possibly groundbreaking discovery could be a brain mechanism that seems to be responsible for our ego; the Default Mode Network (DMN).
One of the leading names in the world of psychedelic science is Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, a young, urbane doctor spearheading psychedelic research at London’s Imperial College. Carhart-Harris is the protégé of renowned neuropsychopharmacologist David Nutt, who made waves recently for his work with government-sanctioned psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms.
Along with Amanda Fielding, the famous psychedelic advocate and founder of the Beckley Foundation, the group hypothesized that the psychedelic experience was the result of increased cerebral blood flow, which they believed would stimulate excitation and activity in latent parts of the brain. Instead, they found a significant decrease in activity and blood flow.
Confounded by the results, the group looked at oxygen consumption, noticing there was some validity to their theory, as they saw that parts of the brain were utilizing more oxygen. But there was still a discernible drop in one region that played a role in nearly all brain function – the DMN.
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The DMN is a network of regions in the brain at the top of our cognitive hierarchy, influencing (and often inhibiting) other parts of the brain, especially those involving emotion and memory. Centrally located in the brain, the DMN is a hub of regulatory function, consisting primarily of the prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, and inferior parietal lobe.
The DMN is believed to be the home of what Freud called the “ego,” or the part of our brain responsible for judgment, tolerance, reality testing, and a sense of self.
In his book “How to Change Your Mind,” Michael Pollan said it is sometimes referred to as the “me” network and has been shown to light up when a subject is given a list of adjectives to consider, relative to their self-identity. It also lights up during daydreams, magical thinking, self-reflection, and when we receive Facebook likes. It activates “by default” when there is no task at hand.
According to Carhart-Harris, this network is the “orchestra conductor” or “corporate executive” of the brain, preventing signals from being interrupted or interfering with each other.
Freud said the ego keeps anarchic forces on the id in check, and Pollan compares this to the DMN maintaining strict connections on brain function developed over the course of our adult lives.
Brain regions that make up the Default Mode Network
Carhart-Harris says he believes the DMN may have been an evolutionary mechanism, as it doesn’t become active until later in a child’s development, typically around the age of five. As we mature, we tend to use life’s learnings to create “algorithms” in order to respond to various situations throughout the day. Our perception of reality is filtered through these habitual connections that become increasingly ingrained as we grow older.
Aldous Huxley called this the reducing valve of ordinary perception, in which a trickle of information is filtered from all incoming stimuli. This filter, valve, or whatever you want to call it, likely evolved to conserve energy so that we could use it sparingly and save energy for other tasks. In order to efficiently process all of the information received on a daily basis, our brains have to rely on judgments and face-value observations, distinguishing between potential threats and benign situations.
“Each one of us is potentially Mind at Large. But in so far as we are animals, our business is at all costs to survive. To make biological survival possible, Mind at Large has to be funneled through the reducing valve of the brain and nervous system. What comes out at the other end is a measly trickle of the kind of consciousness which will help us to stay alive on the surface of this particular planet.” – Aldous Huxley
But in our modern society, that continuous filtration can develop to a fault, closing off our minds from potential outcomes and possibilities, in turn limiting creativity and developing a narrow-minded worldview. In fact, a NASA study found that 98 percent of us are born creative geniuses, but as we reach adulthood only two percent of society falls into that category. Could the DMN account for this?
Ego Dissolution When the DMN Shuts Off
Accidentally discovered in 2001, the DMN made its debut when Marcus Raichle, using cutting-edge Functional MRI (fMRI) equipment, imaged the cerebral cortex. That same technology, paired with magnetoencephalography, or MEG imaging, was used by the team at Imperial College on subjects under the influence of psychedelics. It was also used by Judson Brewer at the UMass Medical School to image the brain activity of deep meditation states.
Both teams found that when these states were induced and ego dissolution was experienced, the DMN shut down. The dissolution of the ego is an event reported by psychedelic drug users and experienced meditators, so it wasn’t necessarily a surprise when MEG and fMRI scans showed that egoic brain activity correlates directly with DMN activity.
“It appears that when activity in the DMN falls off precipitously, the ego temporarily vanishes, and the usual boundaries we experience between self and world, subject and object, all melt away,” Pollan said.
Buddhists often refer to it as the monkey mind – the internal chatter that leads us astray when we try to silence the interminable flow of opinions and thoughts in our heads. And the monkey mind… you guessed it, that’s probably the DMN flaring when the brain has nothing better to do, defaulting to thoughts about a petty argument you had with your significant other a year ago.
For many, it takes years, or even decades to silence the inner dialogue, but for those who succeed, the fruits of labor are profound. But if one doesn’t have the patience, willpower, or time to devote to a life of meditation, recent research has found that the psychedelic experience, under clinical supervision and the right circumstances, can create the same effect, allowing for new connections to be made within the brain.
Another facet of Carhart-Harris’ theory is that our individual mental states fall somewhere along a scale of entropy. Entropy, in this case, is a measure toward a state of randomness or disorganization. On Carhart-Harris’ scale, high-entropy mental states include those experienced on psychedelics; infant consciousness; early psychosis; and creative or divergent thinking. The low-entropy end includes such states as narrow or rigid thinking; addiction; OCD; depression; and coma.
As we age, the brain forms ‘tenser’ connections based on a slower drip from the reduction valve of perception. Carhart-Harris believes this can lead to states of depression, as the valve shuts out various possibilities, closing us off and increasing introspection. The ego eventually turns on itself and “gradually shades out reality.”
A psychedelic experience increases entropy in the brain, loosening those bonds and opening the mind to a deluge of possibilities, many of which can be confusing or bizarre, hence the hallucinations and strange thoughts. But this could explain why recent studies have found that psilocybin from magic mushrooms can cure depression and act as a reset mechanism in the brain, or that potent doses of Ayahuasca or Ibogaine can cure heroin and cocaine addicts of a lifetime of addiction.
Above: a simplified model of the number of neurological connections in the brain between a placebo on the left and psilocybin on the right.
An inundation of new mental states and potential realities can not only free subjects from depression but can also spark creative thought and innovation. One of the biggest hindrances to creativity is a close-minded perspective and the immediate rejection of seemingly fantastical ideas. But it’s not your fault, you can blame it on the DMN.
That’s why Silicon Valley CEOs have touted the creative genius found in the psychedelic experience, ever since Steve Jobs credited LSD for his success in founding Apple.
It should be noted, however, that psychedelics are nothing to take lightly. It’s no coincidence that Carhart-Harris’ entropic brain scale includes early-stage psychosis on the same end as psychedelics. Used improperly and carelessly, psychedelics can devastate the mind, leading to long-term psychological damage in rare instances. Albert Hoffman, who discovered LSD, even expressed occasional regret in his life for the damage caused by its unfettered use.
But if we view these substances as tools or medicine, rather than recreational drugs, we can use them to our advantage. And as science continues to dissect and understand the ways they affect our cognitive function, discoveries of networks such as the DMN will undoubtedly lead to a better understanding of our minds and the ability to lead enlightened lives.
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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.
