Biogenesis of 5‐methoxy‐N, N‐dimethyltryptamine in human pineal gland

[dreamer042]

I'm just gonna leave this here.

Guchhait, R. B. "Biogenesis of 5‐methoxy‐N, N‐dimethyltryptamine in human pineal gland." Journal of neurochemistry 26.1 (1976): 187-190.

 

[Orion]

The only part of that I can understand is the conclusion. I don't suppose someone can boil it down for humble old Orion ? Or is this one those 'there's no simpler way to explain it, study or gtfo' things ?

 

[embracethevoid]

"
Autopsied human pineal glands were collected from the
Johns Hopkins Hospital within 10-20 h of death. These
subjects did not have any mental symptoms according to
their medical records. Individual pineal glands were homogenized
separately in 10-vol of 0.25 M-sucrose solution, pH
adjusted to 7.0 with KOH. Homogenates were first centrifuged
at 650 g for 10 min. The 650 g supernatant was again
centrifuged at 105,000 g for 60 min in a Spinco ultracentrifuge.
This high-speed supernatant was used as the enzyme
source.
(...)


In conclusion, this work shows that 5-MeO-DMT is synthesized
in vitro by a tissue resting inside the brain and
thus may be of importance in brain function."

However what I left out in the (...) is the fact that they basically set up the mixture to prove that it works. They put the enzymes from the pineals into an incubator and added some other stuff which would also be present then let it run and shazzam 5-MeO-DMT appears. So they've proven what we know already, that 5-MeO-DMT *CAN* be synthesised in the pineal gland.

But what we're all really trying to find out is whether DMT/derivatives are produced purposefully by the pineal to mediate experiences. This paper does not touch upon that in my understanding. It's only a matter of time though really.

TL;DR: Scientists complete 2nd ever HPDMT extraction

 

[Orion]

That (...) part is what I wasn't sure of, thanks embracethevoid!