Dr.Timothy Leary's First DMT Experience - In His Own Words

uring the first two years of the Harvard Psychedelic Research Project rumors circulated about a powerful psychedelic agent called dimethyltryptamine: DMT. The effect of this substance was supposed to last for less than an hour and to produce shattering, terrorizing effects. It was alleged to be the nuclear bomb of the psychedelic family.

He took the drug as part of a California research and had planned to demonstrate that he could maintain rational control and verbal fluency during the experience. The closest equivalent might be to attempt a moment-to-moment description of one’s reactions while being fired out the muzzle of an atomic cannon with neon-byzantine barreling. Dr. Watts gave an awe-full description of perceptual fusion.

"We were all united as one organism. Beneath the radiant surface, I could see the delicate, wondrous body machinery of each person, the network of muscle and vein and bone–exquisitely beautiful and all joined, all part of the same process."

My experience with DMT occurred in the most favorable setting. We had just witnessed the ecstatic experience of my colleague and the radiance of his reaction provided a secure and optimistic background. My expectations were extremely positive.

Five minutes after i.m. injection, lying comfortably on the bed, I felt typical psychedelic onset symptoms–a pleasant somatic looseness, a sensitive tuning-in to physical sensations.

Eyes closed…typical LSD visions, the exquisite beauty of retinal and physical machinery, transcendence of mental activity, serene detachment. Comforting awareness of Margaret’s hand and the presence of friends.

Suddenly I opened my eyes and sat up… the room was celestial, glowing with radiant illumination… light, light, light… the people present were transfigured… godlike creatures… we were all united as one organism. Beneath the radiant surface, I could see the delicate, wondrous body machinery of each person, the network of muscle and vein and bone–exquisitely beautiful and all joined, all part of the same process.

Our group was sharing a paradisial experience–each one, in turn, was to be given the key to eternity–now it was my turn, I was experiencing this ecstasy for the group. Later the others would voyage. We were members of a transcendent collectivity.Dr. X coached me tenderly… handed me a mirror where I saw my face, a stained-glass portrait.

Margaret’s face was that of all women–wise, beautiful, eternal. Her eyes were all female eyes. She murmured exactly the right message. “It can always be this way.”

The incredible complex-unity of the evolutionary process–staggering, endless in its variety–why? Where is it going? etc., etc. The old questions and then the laughter of amused, ecstatic acceptance. Too much! Too great! Never mind! It can’t be figured out. Love it in gratitude and accept! I would lean forward to search for meaning in Margaret’s china-flecked face and fall back on the pillow in reverent, awed laughter.

Gradually, the brilliant illumination faded back to the three-d world and I sat up. Reborn. Renewed. Radiant with affection and reverence.

This experience took me to the highest point of LSD illumination–a jewel-like satori. It was less internal and more visual and social than my usual LSD experiences. There was never a second of fear or negative emotion. Some moments of benign paranoia–agent of the divine group, etc.

I am left with the conviction that DMT offers great promise as a transcendental trigger. The brevity of the reaction has many advantages–it provides a security in the knowledge that it will be over in a half hour and should make possible precise exploration of specific transcendental areas. – Dr. Timothy Leary, Ph.D. (Adapted / Edited from Programmed Communication During Experiences with DMT)

Full transcript of Leary’s Experience can be found here: http://www.leary.ru/download/leary/Communication%20During%20Experiences%20with%20DMT.txt