The Power and Glory of God: A Comparative Review of the Phenomenology of N,N-DMT versus 5-MeO-N, N-DMT

Abstract

While psychedelics are often capable of generating spiritual experiences in the form of ego-dissolution, contact with archetypal consciousness, and unitive experiences, N, N- dimethyltryptamine or N, N-DMT is often considered to be one of the most potent psychedelics in terms of its intense experiences, detailed, otherworldly imagery and frequent encounters with seemingly sentient, intelligent entities. Its close molecular cousin, 5-methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine or 5-MeO-N, N-DMT, the primary active alkaloid in the increasingly popular “toad medicine” produced by protective glands on the bufo alvarius toad, produces equally powerful experiences while tending to maximize the chances of experiencing unitive consciousness. This will be a comparative review of the phenomenology of N, N-DMT versus 5-MeO-N, N-DMT, with an emphasis on the types of spiritual experiences each can produce. Safety precautions as well as ways to integrate these experiences will also be discussed.

Presenter Bio

Richard Knowles, PhD is the founder and executive director of Delos Psyche Research Group, which is dedicated to the scientific exploration of psychedelics. He is also a licensed psychologist working as a psychotherapist in the San Francisco Bay Area. He’s taught classes on psychology and consciousness studies at the doctoral level, and as a researcher, his topics of inquiry include consciousness studies, altered states of consciousness, psychedelic studies, and exceptional human experience. He’s completed clinical post-doctoral work at the Community Center for Health and Wellness and is involved in a research post-doc at the Transformative Tech Lab currently. He additionally works for the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies as a lead adherence rater for their MDMA-assisted psychotherapy research treating PTSD. His interests in psychedelics are related to transcendent experiences, long-term psychospiritual benefits and additionally, the microdosing of psychedelics for more consistent benefits.