NDEs and DMT

Nichols still seems to be very critical of the theory. He argues that it's more than likely a waste product with no function at all. 

These parts stood out to me though:

In the cerebral cortex, the wrinkled outer surface of the brain where psychedelics typically have their effects, they found DMT.  DMT was measured in concentrations similar to other neurotransmitters, like serotonin and dopamine.  The DMT was found at a concentration of around 0.5 nano Molar (nM), half a billionth of a mole, which is a standard unit of concentration.  Neuroscientist Andrew Gallimore and Rick Strassman had previously collaborated in order to simulate how DMT concentrations might be reliably controlled in an experimental setting and found that a concentration of around 300nM is required for a full DMT trip to “DMT space”.  Could the concentration of DMT in the brain increase 600 fold in situations of mortal threat, producing the near-death experience?

Jon Dean and Jimo Borjigin went on to test this idea directly by measuring the levels of DMT in the rat brain during cardiac arrest.   Remarkably, they found that there was a spike in DMT at death, as would be expected if DMT produced near-death experiences.  The maximum increase was 10 fold above the average baseline, from 0.5nM to 5nm.  While this falls short of the dramatic 600 fold increase that would be necessary if the baseline level is similar in humans, there’s no ruling out that DMT levels might be different in the human brain.  What’s more, the brain might be more sensitive to DMT during the near-death state.  According to Jimo Borjigin:

“During near-death states, the brain activity that supports non-essential activities, such as walking, is severely reduced. So far scientists have studied experiences when people are fully awake, when they have many other types of brain activity going on. So in order to have a psychedelic experience, you need high levels of DMT that rise above the other noise that our brain is generating. At the near-death state, the level of DMT needed to contribute to a near-death experience may not be at the same level as for normal people having a normal psychedelic experience.”

I swear I recall seeing a video from Parnia where he addresses the DMT theory...but I do know that Parnia has said in the past that the brain, during NDE conditions, is not in a state where something like DMT would have an effect. There also still isn't evidence that a sufficient amount is dumped in our brains while in a near-death state.

Nichols still seems to be very critical of the theory. He argues that it's more than likely a waste product with no function at all. 

These parts stood out to me though:

I swear I recall seeing a video from Parnia where he addresses the DMT theory...but I do know that Parnia has said in the past that the brain, during NDE conditions, is not in a state where something like DMT would have an effect. There also still isn't evidence that a sufficient amount is dumped in our brains while in a near-death state.

Andrew Gallimore and Rick Strassman think DMT opens a gate to a different level/kind of reality.

I can't imagine how their work can somehow bring a materialist interpretation to NDEs. No matter what there are going to be chemical shifts in the brain during an NDE, that there's an influx of DMT is just part of that.

Andrew Gallimore and Rick Strassman think DMT opens a gate to a different level/kind of reality.

I can't imagine how their work can somehow bring a materialist interpretation to NDEs. No matter what there are going to be chemical shifts in the brain during an NDE, that there's an influx of DMT is just part of that.

I'm aware of that, but plenty just think it's an ordinary chemical that's debunked NDEs as just hallucinations. The article notably doesn't address the similarities or differences, or Veridical NDEs. 

My interpretation is that the author thinks it's possible the brain could have more DMT than rats, which pushes the goal post in a way since the experiments showed that there wasn't enough. I'm still anxious about this.

Additionally, Borjigin thinks that the brain could be 'more sensitive' to DMT in the near-death state.

I'm aware of that, but plenty just think it's an ordinary chemical that's debunked NDEs as just hallucinations. The article notably doesn't address the similarities or differences, or Veridical NDEs. 

My interpretation is that the author thinks it's possible the brain could have more DMT than rats, which pushes the goal post in a way since the experiments showed that there wasn't enough. I'm still anxious about this.

Additionally, Borjigin thinks that the brain could be 'more sensitive' to DMT in the near-death state.

Well there's nothing to do but wait. Maybe it does mean after death there's only Oblivion, though I can't see how.

I'm aware of that, but plenty just think it's an ordinary chemical that's debunked NDEs as just hallucinations. The article notably doesn't address the similarities or differences, or Veridical NDEs. 

My interpretation is that the author thinks it's possible the brain could have more DMT than rats, which pushes the goal post in a way since the experiments showed that there wasn't enough. I'm still anxious about this.

Additionally, Borjigin thinks that the brain could be 'more sensitive' to DMT in the near-death state.

You sure look like you're actively searching for doubt and fear regardless of how flimsy the skeptic arguments are. The evidence against the DMT theory is conclusive and should lead to its summary dismissal. Just to start, there are (1) veridical NDEs, (2) NDEs experienced while the brain is disfunctional, some also veridical, and (3) great differences in the features of the experiences. (1) and (2) directly contradict the DMT theory, and (3) just by itself makes it very unlikely.

You sure look like you're actively searching for doubt and fear regardless of how flimsy the skeptic arguments are. The evidence against the DMT theory is conclusive and should lead to its summary dismissal. Just to start, there are (1) veridical NDEs, (2) NDEs experienced while the brain is disfunctional, some also veridical, and (3) great differences in the features of the experiences. (1) and (2) directly contradict the DMT theory, and (3) just by itself makes it very unlikely.

And if you seriously doubt (1) and (2) above, you are ignoring the large body of NDEers' well investigated cases as documented for instance in The Self Does Not Die by researchers Rivas, Dirven and Smit. That looks to be edging into the materialist skeptic position on NDEs. And by extension it looks like you are edging into the materialist skeptic position on psi, ESP, psychical phenomena and the paranormal in general - that the human testimony no matter how evidential and extensive is all worthless anecdotal evidence.

Actually, I now own a copy of The Self Does Not Die. Just finished reading through the Fenwick's investigation into the Major Scull case. 

I feel that eliminating the DMT explanation will be beneficial since it's the one that gets touted around the most besides hypoxia/anoxia, wrongly being said to be 'proven'.

If I recall correctly it was “never interrupt your enemy when he is making mistakes”. Lol

You sure look like you're actively searching for doubt and fear regardless of how flimsy the skeptic arguments are. The evidence against the DMT theory is conclusive and should lead to its summary dismissal. Just to start, there are (1) veridical NDEs, (2) NDEs experienced while the brain is disfunctional, some also veridical, and (3) great differences in the features of the experiences. (1) and (2) directly contradict the DMT theory, and (3) just by itself makes it very unlikely.

FWIW I suspect Omni is looking for resolution or certainty. I wouldn’t say that’s impossible but it’s unlikely. They may be lucky though, some do find it. The vast majority either head for “belief” or evidence  or some mixture of the two I think.

I'd still want to see a study that has NDErs take DMT and compare their experiences.