DMT: The Spirit Molecule (2010) User Reviews

Cosmic blend

[westside-surfer · 8/10 · 16 August 2014]

The Spirit Molecule was informative and entertaining introduction to DMT. My research on the pineal gland, which led to DMT, uncovered a flood of pseudoscience and nut-jobs. I keep an open mind, I but stop listening once the speaker ventures into the Illuminati and ancient aliens. No thank you, I'll watch X-files instead.

The documentary anchored itself in science then plunged into metaphysics. Half the panel were accredited professionals; the other half were artists, writers, and mystics. Surprisingly, the opposing sides complimented each other by providing an insight connected with their expertise. Besides introducing DMT, the documentary addresses the role of psychedelics in ancient and contemporary life.

Now for the problems: 1) Though Joe Rogen is a funny guy, his role as the host lowered the overall credibility almost to a mocking level.

2) The speedy cuts between interviewees and visual effects was very distracting. Many times I stopped listening to speaker because the psychedelic visuals kept distracting me. Also the trippy soundtrack, which was neat at first, was overdone. A good director would have sensed when artistic team was going too far.

I enjoyed this documentary and recommend it to anyone with an interest in science and metaphysics.

Fascinating doc

[bubble-38295 · 8/10 · 14 April 2017]

Two decades after the first DMTS trials, trans-media producer Mitch Schultz created a documentary film based on this unusual material (using the same name as the book), creating a counterculture sensation that is now available on Netflix, iTunes and Hulu. A variety of experts voice their unique thoughts and experiences with DMT within their respective fields. As Strassman's story unfolds, the contributors weigh in on his remarkable theories, including the synthesis of DMT in our brain's pineal gland, and its link to near-death experiences.

cheesy but informative

[albabababy · 6/10 · 29 April 2020]

Pretty weak psychedelic visuals. Bad, bad graphics and some things (like a psychedelic trip) should generally not be represented because it always looks cheesy. But if you're interested in DMT you will find some good info

The only explanation

[chrgibson · 9/10 · 5 February 2011]

This film has been a long time coming, and although outlandish sounding it is this understanding what the scientific and spiritual world are converging on. The fractal nature of reality is Universal, and the ability of the spirit molecule to facilitate experiences of one with the Universe is neatly explained and validated by a fractal viewpoint. DMT is the gateway to consciousness, and without it we would be completely without perception.

The most profound discovery in the last 50 years is that the most powerful psychedelic known to man, with the power to perceive intelligent alien/angel/shamanic beings, resides within animal and plants all around us.

A good companion film is the BBCs documentary: The Secret Life of Chaos, in this the fractal viewpoint is explored from a mathematical perspective.

Excellent, but lacking

[mcmoneyllc · 10/10 · 17 May 2011]

I highly recommend that anyone interested in this documentary visit YouTube and watch all of the interview "clips". These clips that were shared with the world well before this documentary came out are far more interesting than the documentary itself. Which is disappointing, as I was expecting the full documentary to not only include these interviews but more of them as well.

While this was definitely an exciting and intriguing film to watch, the post editing was poorly done and gives the feel of watching a very long preview for something that never comes.

Again, it would have been nice if they did not completely cut out people from the documentary that were originally interviewed. This is a 10 star rating, but it still could have been a lot better. I hope the producers could release the unedited interviews as a bonus in the future or at least post them somewhere online.

One slight other complaint is that the original backing music for the film (as shown on their original YouTube trailer) was excellent. Their final choice in music gave a totally different vibe, which ended up sounding highly amateurish with a more upbeat, early 90's "teenage pop" sound that just added to the more amateurish feel of the documentary.

Amazing documentary about a molecule that exists in almost every living thing on the planet

[huiahamon · 10/10 · 14 February 2013]

DMT The Spirit Molecule takes you on a journey to explore the possibilities of what this molecule, DMT could mean to man kind...

So what is DMT? It is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter that is in almost all living things...and one of the highest levels of DMT can be found in your common lawn grass.

With first hand accounts of peoples experiences with DMT, beautiful recounts and animations, this documentary is a fascinating look at what..why...and most importantly, when...

The interviews are captivating. When they talk its easy to see why its thought to be something that all humans should experience. There are some interesting facts and ideas about the way it might be working with the human mind, like ideas about it being stored in the pineal gland and its connection to religious experience.

It's good, super interesting, you should watch it :)

Hard to take seriously due to the editing

[TheSpaceGoat · 5/10 · 6 April 2014]

It seemed like this was filmed almost for children, the cheesy graphics, Joe Rogan segues where he's in a lab with chemicals set to grainy black and white, what was the age group they were trying to cater too?

I have such a problem with the way drug culture is shown. Here we have a bunch of old and intelligent people talking about DMT with their pool of knowledge and experience on the subject matter... and while they're talking there's this background ~*trippy music*~ and quick cuts to graphics and the generic drug fueled imagery. This would have worked with Alex Grey's segment as he's an artist who specializes in creating art much like the transitions, but when it's filming old doctors talking about it, it's just embarrassing.

Very informative, shame about the editing.

Metephysics

[chiby-roz · 10/10 · 17 May 2011]

The ever expanding study of mind and spirit by the fields of medicine and science is cracking open the paradigms of both in ways that are difficult to ignore. DMT seems to be the key that opens the doors of consciousness without physical reality to anchor and manifest it. This documentary does an amazing job explaining both the experiences of the substance and the science of the mind as well as what happens to both when they reach the edge of understanding. Medical doctors, physical scientists, artists, and spiritual seekers work together to explore and quantify the effects of potentially the world's most powerful psychotropic substance. Psychedelic research is finally moving (slowly) forward and DMT: The Spirit Molecule captures the essence of how much we don't yet know.

Spreads, rather than dispels ignorance around DMT

[collins-803 · 1/10 · 20 October 2012]

This documentary is yet again another example why one of the biggest obstacles to dispelling societal ignorance around psychotropics is often the users themselves. If you're looking for scientific explanations around the properties, effects, and potential side-effects around DMT, look no further. Instead you'll discover the film begins to devolve into various sweeping statements ranging from the pseudo-scientific to the completely unscientific ramblings of mystics.

The film begins to explore the idea that we can use psychotropics --DMT in particular-- for the sake of exploring and discovering aspects of reality that might not be available to us in ordinary perception. Fair enough, as long as we keep in mind what we're "discovering" are interesting chemically induced perceptions, and not, as many of the film's most wildly metaphysical poetic-waxing statements claim, real parts of the universe "out there" that are hidden from us with the "ball and chain" of reason and scientific confirmation.

The way that it presents these musings is through interviews of various psychologists, "writers", mystics, and "shamans" interspersed between what seems to be winamp animations and art taken from Alex Grey. Sure, okay, it's a film about DMT. But it's hardly inventive compared to the master Gaspar Noe film Enter the Void where the drug is featured heavily.

People's perception of psychotropics is an erasing of reason for New Age tarot-card reading "channeling" of other dimensions by hippies. It's an unfortunate misperception, one that this film surely would confirm even to the open minded. In the end it adds to the list of the pseudo-scientific New Age "what the bleep" nonsense that attempts to pass off as credible. Instead of dispelling the ignorance, it reflects this society's scientific illiteracy in an unfortunate postmodern age where drug induced fast food religious experiences pass as empirical research. But you know, as the postmodernists will tell me, "well, that's like...your opinion...man..."

The molecule of life?

[ben_andreas91 · 9/10 · 25 August 2016]

Perhaps stating it may be the molecule of life is a bit of a stretch - however, the accounts of people who have taken DMT provide something hard to dismiss.

Reading a few of the other reviews of this documentary shocks me. Some state that it is complete nonsense, adding it is unscientific and panders to wishful thinking. While the stories seem like something you'd find in a science-fiction movie, (and the visuals certainly don't make that point any less valid!) those comments go against the entire point of the film. Although I do not think these experiences are spiritual in the religious sense, the effect it has on the brain is too profound to ignore. I can almost compare it to marijuana: Some people ascribe its effects to a higher form of consciousness and healing, while others demonize it as unhealthy and corruptive to the mind. DMT and marijuana are, of course, in completely different categories, but their properties add a different dimension to reality. There is no longer an excuse for us to put a barrier between us and what is found in nature. The documentary does not state that drugs are inherently good for you, but that research should provide answers to what extent that may be the case.

I will respectfully disagree with other reviewers of this documentary and say it is definitely for the scientific-minded. As with everything, don't believe everything you see. Investigate for yourself - that is, after all what the scientific method is about.

Helpful and Informative

[metaick · 10/10 · 30 March 2020]

Joe Rogan has a lot of personal experience with DMT so his voice as narration is a perfect pick. This documentary has a lot of great information in it and is a must watch for those who know nothing about DMT. This documentary also reminds me of Neurons to Nirvana, another great watch.

After the first 5 minutes

[K-Ahrens · 1/10 · 7 February 2021]

They basically repeat themselves and say nothing actually meaningful. Waste of time.

DMT is a molecule found in everything. The psychedelic episode happens quickly and ends quickly. Somehow this might help us find a new understanding or way to be conscious. Since research is limited and mostly illegal, there's been almost nothing learned.

There ya go, that's the whole 50 minutes. Aww

Horrible Documentary

[arose-98520 · 1/10 · 15 May 2016]

Horrible Documentary - It is starts out with interesting information about the usage, history and some neurology of this hallucinogenic compound. Then half way through the lead researches of the studied inexplicably, fully endorses the idea that these people are literally traveling out into outer space and meeting with some kind of space aliens that live in the furthest extents of our universe and reality.

Based on no other reasoning then these people who are tripping their face off on this crazy drug say they saw some crazy stuff while they where dripping balls.

It is confounding that these ostensibly intelligent researchers would go on to advocate this pseudo-science meta-physical nonsense with absolutely no evidence or proof or valid reasoning to substantiate their claims. Except the fact that these people are seeing some crazy stuff while they are using a very powerful hallucinogenic compound.

Anybody that remotely believes that scientific methods such as using evidence and logic to come to an assertion will be completely turned off by this film. And see that the researches are only posing as legitimate scientist but are more interested in spewing out nonsensical, superstitious spiritual believes. If you believe in spiritual stuff that is fine, believe whatever you want. But don't try to trick me into believing that there is some type of legitimate scientific process that provides evidence for your assumptions.

There is no science here..

[ali-ghassemi · 1/10 · 24 January 2012]

This is one the most horrible documentaries I've ever watched. Anyone who puts "DMT" and "Parallel Universes" together in one sentence, not only does not understand quantum mechanics, but is so stupid to believe a psychedelic drug experience has anything do to with solving quantum mechanics problems.

There are hundreds of genius scientists working on every aspect of quantum mechanics for years and billions of dollars are invested in our understanding of our universe ( Have you heard of CERN? ) and suddenly bunch of lunatics find our connection to the "Parallel Universes" by taking a mind-altering drug?!? But I still want people to see it. Everyone needs to realize any information could be presented in a scientific-sounding way with bunch of PhDs in the interview list and yet be so full of s***.

Documentary Missing Important Info

[celt007 · 5/10 · 23 May 2011]

Although this movie covers some scientific research done regarding the use and affects,of Ayahuasca, two plants combined to create a powerful hallucinogenic, containing the main subject DMT or N,N-Dimethyltryptamine. DMT is supposedly a naturally occurring substance in the human body, or brain.The movie misses the mark by not commenting on the dangers of using such a drug . It combines the fantasy that there is some spiritual world, alternate dimension accessible by the use of DMT..where one can interact with other beings . Unfortunately this movie seems to be geared towards the drug culture trying garnish attention and build momentum to achieve more grant money for research. I am all for research but there seems to be a huge disconnect between the science and the fantasy. Therefore the film is no more than a well produced movie making claims it can not support.I would recommend this movie for those who want to see how drug culture makes radical claims.

Give that man a glass please

[teneightyp · 3/10 · 30 January 2013]

This review is about the overwhelming annoyance that is the directors constant distraction of drinking his bottle of water during the beginning of the film. I hate to sound so petty but it really takes away from the content of the movie. I mean all he had to do was edit it out, he had that option! It's one thing to be at a conference or even watching an athlete after a game as he's interviewed and takes a swig of water. Even tiger woods is more subtle than this guy. I do have a pet peeve with things of this nature but this is a film man. Outside of this terrible annoyance, it's very interesting and something that's good to be aware of. DMT is definitely not for everyone but it is in everyone! (and everything)sort of.