The Resurrection of Jurema (2)

Marcelo Leite

The scene is unusual: A neuroscientist and an ex-senator go into Brazil’s northeastern hinterland to uproot trees. In 45 minutes, with the help of a tractor, rope, hoe, and chainsaw, three specimens of jurema-preta [black jurema] (Mimosa tenuiflora) tree are extracted, roots and all, as planned.  The highest concentration of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is found in the roots, which is the reason for the expedition. The consciousness-altering substance is one of the promised new drugs to help patients that psychiatry cannot treat... continue reading.