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In DMT: The Spirit Molecule, Strassman tells the story of how he came to be interested in psychedelics as neurochemcial tools to unlocking the mind and consciousness and the subsequent research that he conducted to explore the one chemical he theorized was central to it all: DMT. In the first part of the book he details the harrowing experience of gaining approval from various review boards, funding sources, and ultimately the DEA and FDA - who would be the ultimate decision makers in whether he could have access to the drug, which is scheduled by the US Gov't among other drugs deemed to be of high potential for abuse and to have no potential for medical use. A socio-cultural perspective on this topic can be found in Daniel Pinchbeck's "Breaking Open the Head."

Once he received the proper authorizations to go about his research, Strassman embarked on what would be a five year project involving the administration of DMT to 60 patients. All of the participants were volunteers and were chosen on two primary factors: previous experience with psychedelics and overall mental stability (indicated by strong relationships, usually). What he finds throughout the process of his research ...

Well I've already gone into far too much detail (more than a review should contain I realize - I'm new at this) so I'm going to end my synopsis there and allow prospective readers to finish where I've left off.

Prospective readers would include anyone with an interest in the mind and consciousness, as well as an openness to the possibilities that lie in the little known world beyond the realms of our normal perception. The book itself is a pleasure to read. Strassman's writing is clear and his reasoning process is sound. Despite his established career as a scientist and researcher, he writes in an engaging and non-technical way. He goes about presenting his argument in a thorough, well-reasoned, and well-supported manner -- taking care to point out previous research. Strassman makes clear his own background and interest in the study. He is careful, however, never to mention whether he's ever personally experimented with psychedelics. I understand is reasons for leaving this out however, I think it would provide a lot of context for his theories and research.

Nevertheless, "The Spirit Molecule" is a great read and suggests a lot of exciting possibilities for the future of scientific exploration into psychedelics. Hopefully his fresh and frankly remarkable findings will inspire others to tread down similar paths. We must also hope that his study, which proved safe for his subjects and fruitful for the scientific community, will help change minds among politicians and legislators about this drug in particular, and psychedelics in general (nearly all of which are scheduled as the most heinous and useless in existence).