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 😅

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 — without knowing the exact cause — symptoms of having a brain tumor 🧠

While he was studying painting and art history, he also began to experience a maniacal impulse to paint — 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 — 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 🔥

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.

I mean, c'mon.

Gimme a break.

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

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 🤯

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 🔮

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 🔥

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 😉

Other than that...

Hope you have a fantabulous weekend!

Wishing you health, harmony & happiness...

Your friend,

—Dr. D

🧙🏽‍♂️❤️🧞‍♂️

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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 it’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.

—Terence McKenna