Application of transcerebral, weak (1 microT) complex magnetic fields and mystical experiences: are they generated by field-induced dimethyltryptamine release from the pineal organ?
During the last 15 years weak, complex magnetic fields have been applied across the two cerebral hemispheres at the level of the temporoparietal lobes of more than 500 volunteers. Most of these subjects have reported visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive sensations as well as experiences of detachment from the body of 'sentient beings'. Similar but more intense experiences were reported by Strassman in 2001 for volunteers who were injected with N,n-dimethyltryptamine, a compound Strassman hypothesized as the primary mediator of these experiences. If this speculation is valid, then subjects who are exposed to the very weak, complex fields known to elicit similar experiences should display significant increases in the metabolites of this compound within their blood.
Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
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Hill
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Persinger
D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008280:Magnetics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009228:Mysticism; D004130:N,N-Dimethyltryptamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects
D004130:N,N-Dimethyltryptamine