Answer
Dimethyltryptamine, also known as DMT, is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound. Like other psychedelic drugs, when ingested, dimethyltryptamine produces “trips” or hallucinations. What is unique about dimethyltryptamine is that the hallucinations it produces are remarkably consistent. People who take dimethyltryptamine as a psychedelic drug consistently report clear, detailed visions of encounters with strange beings in another dimension. Depending on the person’s worldview, the beings are identified as either aliens or angels/demons. Visions like these also occur with other psychedelic drugs, but with nowhere near the consistency of dimethyltryptamine.
Why is dimethyltryptamine referred to as the “Jesus drug” or the “God drug”? For at least two reasons: (1) some people who have taken dimethyltryptamine believe they encountered God and/or Jesus during their hallucinogenic vision, and (2) after experiencing a DMT-induced vision, some people have drastically changed their lives. Some even appear to have become dedicated Christians, crediting a dimethyltryptamine “trip” with opening their eyes to spiritual realities. So, is there any truth to this “Jesus drug” phenomenon?
The physical and spiritual aspects of human beings are closely intertwined. The spiritual impacts the physical and vice-versa. It is possible that a psychedelic drug such as dimethyltryptamine could temporarily give a person greater access to the spiritual world. God’s strong warnings about sorcery (pharmakeia), mediums, witchcraft, etc., make it clear that such activities do indeed have spiritual implications (Leviticus 19:31; Galatians 5:20; Revelation 9:21). Contacting the spirit world through psychedelic drugs and/or sorcery appears to be possible; therefore, God strictly prohibits it.
What about the “positive” effects of some dimethyltryptamine experiences? It is strange that participating in something God forbids would result in a person coming to God through faith in Jesus. If it has happened, it is only because God intervened and overruled the effects of the drug. But it would definitely be a case of the ends not justifying the means.
Yes, we should be aware of the spiritual reality that surrounds us. However, using the “Jesus drug” or any other drug is not the proper method of spiritual growth and awareness. A psychedelic “trip” is not the path to God. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and God’s Word is the light for our path (Psalm 119:105).
