"We" are definitely on the same page now
I sounded nitpicking but here's where I came from: I find most of trouble induced by humans onto the world and each other is the use of generalizations, black-white stances or lack of nuances, it feeds polarization at large. I became a bit allergic to it because a lot of useful intel is bypassed when getting used to "using generalizations". My goal was noble in that regard.


This part of OP has my interest:
If the answer is yes (there is impact) then why should we automatically assume that the impact is negative, and thus avoidance is the best way to go with it?
As I said "not doing" has impact as well. A lot of people could benefit from the plasticity entheogens can offer. Long time users of aya have been monitored and found not degenerated, on the contrary.
As with any asset, it could be used unwise or unlucky.
My personal take on this is: if use is nothing like the real death race, then at least we're stretching muscles of consciousness.

I was also skeptical about Strassman's hypothesis of release during birth and death, it is very interesting that at least the death part in rats has been proven.

Then what about endogenous 5-meo-dmt, bufotenine, NMT, and possibly other endogenous psychedelic tryptamines? Have there been any hypotheses or experiments on their roles? Why is DMT getting all the attention?




That sounds like a likely function, but I highly doubt any hormone plays just a single role. It doesn't rule out some sort of spiritual function.

Since being corrected by some of the members of the forum about whether or not N,N-DMT was found endogenously and what it's potential roles are in the central nervous system I found out some interesting information.

Sig-1R:

The Sig-1R functions as a neuroprotective receptor that protects the cell against reactive oxygen species such that when stimulated by endogenous ligands such as the tryptaminergic trace amines (e.g. tryptamine and possibly N,N-DMT) or neurosteroids (e.g. DHEA) it activates an antioxidant response suppressing apoptosis by the reactive oxygen species.

With this piece of information we can assume that at least from one study that endogenous N,N-DMT plays a role in preventing cell death functioning as a indirect antioxidant and it's therapeutic effects within the human organism is largely a result of it's Sig-1R agonism as opposed to it's effects on various subtypes of serotonin receptor.

Reference:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih...c/articles/PMC4773875/#:~:text=Ayahuasca%20experiences%20often%20reflect%20psychodynamic,in%20psychological%20healing%20through%20restructuring.

Great follow up post King! What is also fascinating is the new research they have been doing on the bacteria in our stomaches. They are even starting to link certain microbial populations with mental illness. The new research being done makes a lot of sense regarding the wisdom of indigenous healers who have been adhering to strict diets and regular use of ayahuasca for thousands of years. Very interesting article. Thanks a lot for that.