5 min read

The curious case of DMT and a man with a brain tumor

The curious case of DMT and a man with a brain tumor

Today, I'd like to share with you one of the most fascinating & interesting case studies that might involve DMT.

I say might because some of you got a little roiled up when I said No, there's no evidence for DMT being produced in your pineal gland a few weeks ago.

I didn't know it was such a sensitive topic ๐Ÿ˜…

So today, I'm going to entertain the possibility of DMT potentially being produced endogenously in the pineal gland.

The story begins with a man named Shawn Thornton.

During his late teens, while attending art school, Shawn began to experience โ€” without knowing the exact cause โ€” symptoms of having a brain tumor ๐Ÿง 

While he was studying painting and art history, he also began to experience a maniacal impulse to paint โ€” often to the point of working himself into a frenzy like a madman.

Soon, he started to experience a cacophony of intense, lucid visions as well.

Things got so bad during the winter of his senior year that he couldn't sleep for a full fortnight.

Then, nearly a decade later, doctors found a brain tumor.

They didn't find a brain tumor just anywhere โ€” they found it in Shawn's pineal gland!

Turns out the tumor comprised primal germ cells left over from birth, then migrated up to the pineal region of his brain, which eventually catalyzed the growth of his tumor.

The fascinating part about Shawn's story isn't entirely about his tumor.

What's fascinating is what Shawn has managed to produce as an artist afflicted with pineal cancer.

Out of infinite possibilities, the gods and the universe (and perhaps a few machine elvers) somehow dealt him this unique circumstance.

Much like the great Alex Grey, his lucid visions have had a remarkable influence on Shawn's art.

...and the wild part is: they look eerily influenced by the DMT experience.

If you've ever experienced DMT, you might be able to see the obvious signs.

I mean, look at some of Shawn's art ๐Ÿ”ฅ

Brahmastra For a New Age (UFO/Time Machine) Oil on Panel by Shawn Thornton
Brahmastra For a New Age (UFO/Time Machine) / Oil on Panel by Shawn Thornton

They're remarkably intricate, almost as if he's trying to create a map of an interdimensional landscape that bridges back to him... like some psychedelic cartographer.

Homemade Space Suit of Living Information / Oil on Panel by Shawn Thornton
Homemade Space Suit of Living Information / Oil on Panel by Shawn Thornton

I mean, c'mon.

Gimme a break.

I think I prefer these over those lame Egyptian hieroglyphics personally.

Solar Scars and Scrying Discs / Oil on Panel by Shawn Thornton
Solar Scars and Scrying Discs / Oil on Panel by Shawn Thornton

Pretty insane.

The first time I saw Shawn's paintings, I was like, "yeah... DMT must be involved."

But, here's the crazy part:

Shawn had never tried DMT when he created these paintings ๐Ÿคฏ

So...

How can a guy with a tumor in his pineal gland, of all places, produce what appears to be DMT-influenced art, having never tried DMT... while having sporadic, intense lucid visions while sober?

The obvious theory here is that the endogenous release of DMT might actually be a factor here.

But, alas, like one of the earlier editions of NSP, I cannot prove or disprove this theory.

It's certainly incredibly fascinating to think about the possibilities ๐Ÿ”ฎ

Long ago...

Shawn ran a Kickstarter in 2014 to raise funds to cover his artist residency.

If you Watch Shawn's Kickstarter Campaign Video, you'll see Shawn talk about his pineal tumor towards the end.

Also, I'd recommend you read Cartographers of the Pineal Eye: Shawn Thornton as well.

Finally, if you're interested in browsing a much larger collection of Shawn's incredible art, you can do so at Shawn's Website ๐Ÿ”ฅ

Hope you enjoyed today's edition of NSP, and remember, if you have a friend who's as cool as you that might enjoy content like this, consider forwarding this edition to them ๐Ÿ˜‰

Other than that...

Hope you have a fantabulous weekend!

Wishing you health, harmony & happiness...

Your friend,

โ€”Dr. D

๐Ÿง™๐Ÿฝโ€โ™‚๏ธโค๏ธ๐Ÿงžโ€โ™‚๏ธ

Mustafa's Meme

funny trojan horse meme about the benefits of psychedelics
Why does every conversation end up discussing the benefits of psychedelics, tho?

What Mustafa's Pondering

๐Ÿ“บ Talk: How Psilocybin Mushrooms Can Help Save the World with Paul Stamets at SXSW 2023 ๐Ÿ„ [1:01:44]

๐Ÿ“บ Talk: Innovations in Consciousness, Psychedelics & Mental Health with Deepak Chopra at SXSW 2023 [59:23]

๐Ÿ“บ Podcast: Mike Tyson mentions 5-MeO-DMT to rapper Wiz Khalifa around the 27:00 minute mark on Hotboxin' with Mike โ€” This isn't the first time Mike has mentioned 5-MeO-DMT of course, he's also mentioned it to Tony Robbins and many others before.

๐Ÿ“บ Visual Art: DMT inspired visualization ft. Shpongle by Trey Ratcliff ๐Ÿ”ฅ

๐Ÿ“ฐ Story: Shrooms Are the New Cali Sober by Kelly Mickle via Elle ๐Ÿ„

๐Ÿ“ฐ Story: I Travelled 16,632 Kilometres To Improve My Mental Health: An Australian Psilocybin Story ๐Ÿ„

๐Ÿ“ฐ News: Ketamine clinics have emerged across the US. Theyโ€™re already going bust by Mattha Busby

๐Ÿ“ฐ News: Should doctors be able to prescribe psychedelics?

๐Ÿ“ฐ News: Psychedelic medicines: are they gaining traction in Europe? via European Pharmaceutical Review

๐Ÿ“ฐ News: Coloradoโ€™s psychedelic journey begins this week with first advisory board meeting by Tiney Ricciardi via The Denver Post

๐Ÿ“บ Video: Can you form a meaningful relationship with a DMT Entity? by Comedian Shane Mauss

๐Ÿ“บ Entertainment: Top 7 mind-blowing psychedelic Netflix shows by Sociedelic

๐Ÿ’ฐ Business: Numinus Wellness launches new psychedelics clinic licensing model for independent practitioners by Natalia Calvillo via Mugglehead

๐Ÿ’ฐ Business: TARA Mind, a psychedelic assisted therapy company, just raised $3M in pre-seed funding

๐Ÿ’ฐ Business: Hemp-based product distribution company Right On Brands bought a 49% stake in Neuro Science Research, an upcoming licensed Psilocybin extraction facility in Oregon

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Policy: Hawaii Passes Bill To Prepare For Federal Approval of Psychedelics by Marijuana Moment

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Policy: Think the feds will legalize psilocybin soon? Think again. by Amy Pomeroy

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Policy: Nevada committee to vote on bill for research & decriminalization of psilocybin by Las Vegas Weekly

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Policy: Arizona Bill aims to expand research on whole Psilocybin Mushrooms by The State Press

Mustafa's Art Corner

DMT inspired cover art from the song AWOL by Calvin Ascends
DMT inspired cover art from the song AWOL by Calvin Ascends ๐ŸŽถ๐Ÿ”ฅ

Mustafa's Meditation

Nature loves courage.
You make the commitment, and nature will respond to that commitment by removing impossible obstacles.
Dream the impossible dream and the world will not grind you under, it will lift you up.
This is the trick.
This is the shamanic dance in the waterfall.
This is how magic is done.
By hurling yourself into the abyss and discovering itโ€™s a feather bed.
This is what all these teachers and philosophers who really counted, who really touched the alchemical gold, this is what they understood.
โ€”Terence McKenna