Few ideas about death have captured public imagination quite like this one: the brain releases a powerful psychedelic called DMT at the moment of death, creating vivid visions, life reviews, and feelings of transcendence. The theory has been discussed in neuroscience circles, medical debates, and popular culture for years, often linked to near-death experiences and reports of “otherworldly” awareness.

But what does science actually say?

As of 2025, researchers agree on one thing: DMT exists in the human body. What remains fiercely debated is whether it is released in large quantities during death — and if so, why.

 

What Is DMT?

Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a naturally occurring compound found in plants, animals, and trace amounts in humans. It is structurally similar to serotonin and melatonin, two chemicals deeply involved in mood, sleep, and perception.

When synthesized and taken externally, DMT produces intense, short-lived alterations in consciousness, including visual geometry, time distortion, ego dissolution, and encounters that users often describe as more real than ordinary reality.

Because these effects resemble aspects of near-death experiences, scientists began asking a provocative question: Could the brain be producing DMT during extreme biological stress, including death?

 

Does the Human Brain Produce DMT?

Yes — but with an important caveat.

Studies have confirmed that enzymes required to produce DMT are present in the human brain, particularly in areas involved in cognition and emotion. Trace amounts of DMT have been detected in human blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid.

However, trace presence does not equal functional release.

At present, there is no direct evidence showing a massive surge of DMT in the human brain at the moment of death. Measuring real-time neurochemistry during dying is ethically and technically difficult, which is why much of the evidence comes from animal studies and indirect observation.

 

The Pineal Gland Hypothesis

One of the most discussed ideas is that the pineal gland plays a role in DMT release.

The pineal gland regulates circadian rhythms by releasing melatonin and is sensitive to changes in oxygen, light, and stress. Because it sits near critical blood flow structures and expresses DMT-related enzymes, some researchers proposed that it could act as a chemical trigger during extreme physiological events.

This hypothesis gained attention after animal studies showed increased DMT levels in rat brains following induced cardiac arrest, documented in research published in 2019. The spike occurred within minutes after the heart stopped.

Crucially, this finding does not automatically translate to humans, but it reopened serious scientific discussion.

 

Why Would the Brain Release DMT During Death?

If such a release occurs, scientists propose several possible explanations — none of them mystical, all rooted in survival biology.

1. Stress Response at the Edge of Life

When the body faces irreversible stress, the brain releases emergency chemicals to maintain internal stability. These include endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine.

DMT, if released, may be part of this last-resort neurochemical cascade, helping the brain cope with overwhelming sensory collapse.

2. Consciousness Preservation

Some neuroscientists speculate that DMT could help the brain maintain a coherent internal experience as external sensory input fades. Instead of darkness or confusion, the brain generates structured imagery, memory access, and emotional regulation.

This could explain why near-death experiences often feel ordered rather than chaotic.

3. Pain and Fear Suppression

DMT profoundly alters perception of self and body. In theory, this could reduce suffering by disconnecting awareness from physical trauma, similar to how dissociation works during extreme shock.

From an evolutionary standpoint, a chemical that eases the final moments may not be accidental.

 

The Near-Death Experience Connection

People who report near-death experiences often describe features strikingly similar to DMT-induced states:

  • Loss of ego or identity

  • Intense visual landscapes

  • Timelessness

  • Emotional clarity

  • A sense of meaning or connection

This overlap does not prove causation, but it suggests that similar neural circuits may be involved.

Importantly, not all near-death experiences are positive. Some involve confusion, fear, or emptiness — which aligns with the idea that brain chemistry during crisis is unpredictable, not a scripted release of one molecule.

 

Why Scientists Remain Cautious

Despite the fascination, most neuroscientists urge restraint.

There are several reasons: