Maybe you’ve heard about this molecule from DMT: The Spirit Molecule, documentary, it’s profoundly interesting so let be tell you a few basic facts first

• it’s a psychedelic compound and can act as a powerful hallucinogenic drug
• it can dramatically alter the human consciousness
• depending on how much of it one may take and how one takes it, effects can be drastic 
• some people describe a total loss to reality and meeting with spiritual beings/relatives
• this compound is widely seen in plants and produced in humans but it’s exact use in humans is not known

RELATIONSHIP TO NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES

There is one theory put forward by Dr. Rick Strassman in his book DMT: The Spirit Molecule. His theory is that after death, the pineal gland in the brain deposit DMT into the spinal fluid, allowing it to travel all over the place and cause the profound effects seen during near death experiences.

One critic of this theory put forward by Dr. Michael Potts of Methodist University is the fact that effects such as traveling through a tunnel aren’t reported in a DMT experience. Furthermore most people usually experience a profound change in their life views and personality after a genuine Near Death Experience, the same isn’t seen in a DMT experience. 

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By Dave Neale, Animals Asia’s Animal Welfare Director

Unless you live in Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus, Greece or Malta, then the cruelty of animal performance remains a possible issue for you.

Yes, that’s right – these five small countries are the only ones in the world to have enacted a complete ban on all forms of animal performance.

Strong campaigning has resulted in successes in a further 14 countries which have banned the use of wild animals in performances.

But the numbers are still far too small, with most of the near 200 other countries across the globe having a variety of partial bans limiting performance to certain species, animals raised in captivity or bans limited to certain provinces, states, counties and areas.

This means that in reality, the animal cruelty inherent in animal performance remains a global issue.

And the cruelty is shocking.

Tens of thousands of wild animals around the world continue to be used in performances at circuses, zoos and safari parks. Behind the façade of entertainment, they are routinely abused, neglected and malnourished.

The techniques used to force animals to perform are often cruel and abusive, while animal welfare standards are ignored.

Animal performance and its eradication does not follow linear lines of “development”. In fact richer countries can mean animal performance is even bigger business with more powerful friends.

Just last week, a bill to see wild animals banned from circuses in the UK failed for the twelfth time. A poll by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs suggested that the move had the support of 94.5% of the British public, but continues to be blocked by a tiny coterie of MPs.

In the US too, this month brought widespread coverage of the news that the country’s biggest circus, Ringling Bros would phase out the use of elephants. While a welcome development, we must bear in mind that the company has no plans to stop the exploitation of other species and that Ringling Bros remains far from cruelty free.

Films like “Blackfish” may have united us in opposition to cruelty for the sake of entertainment but, while animal performance remains big business, there will be those motivated to maintain the status quo.

But change must come. You could even argue it’s inevitable – just as soon as everyone stops attending animal performance.

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