Scientists identify ‘ferryman’ in the brain that transports souls into the afterlife. The ancient Greeks believed that when people die, their souls are transported across the River Styx and into the afterlife by Charon, the ferryman. 

This myth may have some truth to it as scientists recently found that a psychedelic neurochemical could ferry the human soul into the afterlife.

Called DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine), the naturally occurring molecule is found in plants, animals and perhaps even the human brain. 

When consumed recreationally, it produces powerful visual and auditory hallucinations. 

Researchers at the Imperial College London found signs that DMT could be responsible for vivid hallucinations during near-death experiences (NDEs), which can occur when someone is close to dying. 

Many survivors of NDEs report these inexplicable visions, such as encountering a deceased loved one, seeing heaven or hearing the voice of God. 

The team determined that NDEs share similarities with the experiences of people who have taken DMT recreationally, suggesting the brain might flood itself with this psychedelic neurochemical in the moments before death.

David Luke, associate professor of psychology at the University of Greenwich in London, said there also is some evidence that DMT is released in greater quantities at the point of death in the human brain. 

Article by Ellyn Lapointe:

Lohengrin by Walter Crane 1895