Andrew Gallimore

Date: 2025-10-30 | Duration: 2h 39m

Episode Overview

Neuroscientist and DMT researcher Andrew Gallimore returns to go deep on the science of psychedelic states, the nature of consciousness, and what DMT entities might actually be. Gallimore explains the brain as a predictive model that only updates when its predictions fail — and DMT as the substance that catastrophically disrupts that model, sending the brain through a chaotic phase before it collapses into an entirely new order. He discusses real-time measurement of DMT levels in rat brains, arguing that DMT is endogenously produced and may play a functional role in consciousness. The conversation moves into the phenomenology of entity contact — Gallimore's view that encounters with DMT entities, alien intelligences, and other non-human presences throughout history may all be manifestations of the same underlying phenomenon. He shares his most romantic view of ancient history: a spectacular advanced civilization in Egypt with technology beyond anything we've achieved. The episode closes with the DMTX project — Gallimore's collaboration with Rick Strassman on a protocol for an extended continuous DMT state, developed from a 2015 idea.

About Andrew Gallimore

Andrew Gallimore, PhD, is a distinguished chemical pharmacologist and neurobiologist, recognized as one of the world's leading experts in the field of psychedelics and consciousness research. With a strong academic background, he has contributed significantly to our understanding of the neuropharmacological effects of substances like DMT, exploring their potential to unlock new dimensions of human experience. Gallimore is known for his innovative theories and research that bridge the gap between science and spirituality, making him a captivating figure in discussions about the mind and reality. His appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, episode #2403, showcases his unique insights into the role of psychedelics in expanding consciousness and their implications for mental health.

Key Moments

– Brain as a predictive model — DMT disrupts predictions and forces a new order
– Real-time measurement of DMT in rat brains — endogenous production
– DMT entity contact — the same phenomenon across all human history
– Violence backgrounds and altered state experiences — the common profile
– Romantic view of ancient Egypt — advanced civilization with lost technology
– DMTX project — extended continuous DMT state, collaboration with Rick Strassman
– Academic resistance to studying DMT seriously
0:13:33 – DMT and the brain — chaotic phase then collapse into a brand new order
0:26:43 – Brain as predictive model — only updates when predictions fail
0:38:49 – Real-time DMT measurement in rat brains — endogenous production is real
0:52:28 – You need to experience DMT to talk about it — it's not hallucination or dreaming
1:21:25 – Profile of people with intense altered state experiences — violence, gangs, abusive fathers
1:38:03 – Entity contact across history — same phenomenon, different cultural interpretations
1:51:36 – Romantic ancient Egypt theory — a spectacular civilization with technology beyond ours
2:20:57 – DMTX project — extended continuous DMT state developed with Rick Strassman from a 2015 idea

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Joe Rogan podcast checking out The Joe Rogan experience Train by day, Joe Rogan podcast by night All day How are you? Splendid, how the devil are you, sir? I think it's the first time anyone's answered Splendid when I ask him, how are you doing? Starting point is 00:00:24 So, tell me about your book, man. Let me see the cover of it, first of all. Death by astonishment, which is the famous Terrence McKenna quote, right? Yes, he was us. The only thing you have to fear is death by astonishment. Exactly, yeah. You know, the first time I did DMT, I literally heard his words. Do not give in to astonishment. Starting point is 00:00:44 I literally heard those words. It's almost like whatever's over there, wanted me to hear that. So I could, like, sink in or whatever. Because I had already heard it before. You know, like so they wanted to say it to me as well. It was very weird Yeah, it's sage advice, I think Because it's the only way Starting point is 00:01:03 Because if you freak out Well, it's like that's a good thing It's good advice in most of life Like don't give in to the freak out Yeah, yeah Confronting the mystery of the world's Strangest Drug How did you get involved in this? Starting point is 00:01:18 DMT? Yes Oh So you have to go back to my teenage years really So I mean I first heard about DMT through Terrence McKenna. A friend... Like most of us. Starting point is 00:01:31 Yeah, like most of us. But this was like, this was joined like the dawn of the internet. Right. Long before you were a scientist. Long before I was a scientist, right? So a friend gave me this magazine who had this interview with this bearded, Starting point is 00:01:46 cheeky-looking bearded fellow on the back called Terence McKenna. And he spoke about this thing called DMT, which, of course, I didn't know what that was, But, you know, the stories that he was telling that you were going to meet these insectoid aliens and transdimensional machine owls jabbering in...

More Episodes

Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #2403?

Andrew Gallimore was the guest on JRE #2403. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #2403?

On Joe Rogan Experience #2403 with Andrew Gallimore, topics include Brain as a predictive model — DMT disrupts predictions and, Real-time measurement of DMT in rat brains — endogenous, DMT entity contact — the same phenomenon across all human, and Violence backgrounds and altered state experiences — the.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #2403?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #2403 with Andrew Gallimore is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.