Inside the Secretive World of the ‘God Molecule’ and Its Celebrity Fans
Kimon de Greef’s book The Ego Trip explores a little-known psychedelic derived from toad venom that has drawn the attention of figures like Michael Pollan and a Navy SEAL who claims credit for killing Osama bin Laden.
The author journeys to the Sonoran desert of the southwestern United States to investigate 5-MeO-DMT, a potent hallucinogen often called the “God molecule.” He describes how the substance, extracted from a milky toad secretion, has become a cult-like obsession for a handful of high-profile enthusiasts. Among them are journalist Michael Pollan and a former Navy SEAL who boasts of his role in the bin Laden raid. The book is praised as a sharp-eyed look at a fringe corner of the psychedelic scene and the celebrity status it confers on its devotees.
Why it matters
It reveals how a potent, obscure drug is gaining traction among influential figures, highlighting shifting attitudes toward psychedelics.
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