THE DMT–LASER INTERFERENCE PROTOCOL (Version 2): A Standardized, Open-Source Framework for Safe, Reproducible Investigation of Structured Visual Phenomena in Diffused Coherent Light Under N,N-Dimethyltryptamine

THE DMT–LASER INTERFERENCE PROTOCOL (Version 2):

A Standardized, Open-Source Framework for Safe, Reproducible Investigation of Structured Visual Phenomena in Diffused Coherent Light Under N,N-Dimethyltryptamine

DOI:

November 24, 2025

Swygert, J.S. (2025)

ABSTRACT

Recent reports describe a reproducible visual phenomenon wherein individuals under the influence of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) perceive structured “glyph-like” patterns, lattices, or “code” within a diffused coherent red laser beam projected onto a matte surface. While viral media attention has amplified public curiosity, no standardized, safe, or scientifically credible protocol has existed for documenting or evaluating this phenomenon.

This updated Version 2 paper presents the first open-source, globally reproducible scientific protocol for safely and systematically investigating the DMT–Laser interference effect. New additions include expanded safety criteria, improved optical inspection guidelines, optional peripheral hardware, enhanced blinding/priming controls, and updated phenomenology methods for improved inter-rater reliability.

The protocol is explicitly agnostic. It does not assume any interpretation of the phenomenon—optical, cognitive, neurological, entoptic, symbolic, or metaphysical. Instead, it invites researchers (especially skeptics) to collect falsifying or confirming data under rigorously controlled conditions. The goal is not belief, but clarity.

1. INTRODUCTION

Anecdotal and early independent replications suggest that sub-breakthrough doses of DMT may amplify or reorganize the perception of coherent speckle fields produced by diffused red lasers. Participants often describe stable geometric motifs, symbolic clusters, or “machine code”–like patterns embedded within the speckle field.

Current data suffers from:

• uncontrolled lighting

• inconsistent optical hardware

• absent lens/diffuser inspection

• no negative control

• unmeasured dosing

• lack of physiological measurements

• expectation bias

• no inter-rater phenomenology framework

Version 2 addresses all deficiencies and expands the reproducibility framework. It is designed for use by:

• academic laboratories

• psychedelic retreat centers (where legal)

• optical physicists

• neuroscientists

• clinicians

• independent psychonauts

• interdisciplinary research teams

This protocol neither advocates for nor opposes the use of DMT. It simply provides a scientific standard for those who are researching this phenomenon regardless.

2. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Legal Restrictions

Sessions must only occur in jurisdictions where DMT is legal, decriminalized, or permitted for research. All local, institutional, and ethical guidelines apply.

2.2 Medical Risk Screening

Absolute or strong contraindications:

• cardiac disease

• implanted pacemaker or ICD

• uncontrolled hypertension

• arrhythmias

• seizure disorders

• severe pulmonary disease

• pregnancy

• serotonin syndrome risk

• MAOI/SSRI/SNRI interactions

• bipolar I

• schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (personal or first-degree family history)

2.3 Psychiatric Screening

Administer:

• MINI, or

• SCID-5-PD screener

Participants with unstable psychiatric risk must not proceed.

2.4 Required Personnel

Minimum:

• 1 sober moderator

• 1 trained medical observer

• 1 equipment operator (or automated system)

• 24/7 physician availability

2.5 Emergency Medical Kit

Required:

• pulse oximeter

• automated blood pressure monitor

• thermometer

• IM midazolam

• oral/IM lorazepam

• airway support device

• AED (strongly recommended)

• oxygen (where allowed)

3. STANDARDIZED ROOM SETUP

Room conditions must remain unchanged from baseline through peak:

• full blackout from external light

• fixed LED source (3000–4000K)

• matte white or matte light-gray wall

• no reflective surfaces

• stable temperature (68–74°F)

• laser position fixed

• no flickering shadows, screens, or fans

This ensures that all variables are controlled except the subjective visual state of the participant.

4. LASER APPARATUS

4.1 Laser Specification

• 630–670 nm continuous-wave red laser

• ≤5mW output

• diffusion: frosted glass, ground-glass diffuser, or diffraction grating

4.2 Mounting

• heavy tripod or clamp

• perpendicular 90° angle

• height and distance fixed

4.3 Device Inspection (Expanded for Version 2)

Before each session:

• macro photos of lens

• macro photos of diffuser

• documentation of serial numbers

• molded ridge patterns

• edge irregularities

• particulate contamination

• diffuser symmetry

This is essential for ruling out manufacturing artifacts that could mimic “glyphs.”

4.4 Mandatory Negative Control

A sober observer must stare at the identical setup for 5 minutes and report:

• any structure

• depth

• movement

• symbolic resemblance

If glyphs appear for a sober observer, the hardware must be replaced.

5. CAMERA & VIDEO DOCUMENTATION

5.1 Required Cameras

• high-resolution static close-up camera (RAW recommended)

• wide-angle room camera

• face/pupil camera

• optional: eye-tracking hardware

5.2 Camera Settings

• manual focus

• manual exposure

• fixed ISO

• no auto-processing

5.3 Continuous Recording Rule

All cameras must run continuously, without cuts, from baseline to recovery.

6. PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING

Measurements include:

• heart rate

• blood pressure

• O₂ saturation

• respiration rate

• skin temperature

• pupil diameter

• optional EEG or fNIRS

Measurements taken at:

• baseline

• onset

• peak

• post-peak

• +20 minutes

7. DOSING & ADMINISTRATION CONTROL

7.1 Required Measurements

Document:

• DMT type (N,N-DMT ONLY)

• purity

• milligrams weighed on 0.001g scale

• administration device

7.2 Vaporizer Standardization

Use:

• APX Volt or G Pen Connect (or equivalent)

• temperature 180–195°C

• weigh residual material after vaping

• calculate delivered dose

7.3 Blinding & Priming

Two briefing options:

Minimal: “You will inhale and observe the red light. Describe anything you notice.”

Full: “The red laser may reveal geometric or symbolic structures. Describe them if they appear.”

Researchers must declare which briefing was used.

8. TESTING PHASES

8.1 Phase A — Baseline (3 minutes)

Participant sober. Measure:

• pupil diameter

• baseline speckle pattern

8.2 Phase B — Onset

Return to laser within 1–2 minutes after inhalation.

8.3 Phase C — Peak (2–4 minutes)

Administer structured phenomenology checklist.

8.4 Phase D — Recovery

Cameras run for 3 minutes after return.

9. PHENOMENOLOGY CHECKLIST (Version 2 Expanded)

• stable glyphs

• dynamic glyphs

• geometric lines

• grids

• depth layers

• perceived motion

• symbolic resemblance

• code-like appearance

• emotional salience

• bodily sensations

• time distortion

• one-eye vs both-eye visibility

Rated 0–5 for inter-rater reliability.

10. DATA PACKAGING

Each dataset includes:

• room video

• laser close-up video

• participant face/pupil video

• physiological logs

• laser inspection photos

• phenomenology sheet

• participant sketches

• RAW files

• metadata

Upload to Zenodo collection (linked to DOI).

11. AUTHOR POSITION STATEMENT

This work is offered in the spirit of scientific collaboration, not competition. The author recognizes and honors the pioneering contributions of individuals and communities who first reported, explored, or attempted to document the DMT–laser visual phenomenon. This protocol is not intended to replace or overshadow prior work, but to provide an open-source, reproducible, safety-centered framework that enables those pioneers — and the global research community — to evaluate and expand upon their own findings with greater clarity and methodological rigor.

The author’s broader research in optical interference, sensory gating, and consciousness theory (including the Swygert Theory of Everything AO) informs his interest in structured perceptual phenomena, but does not dictate any interpretation of the DMT–laser effect. This protocol is intentionally agnostic, falsifiable, and designed to encourage interdisciplinary dialogue — especially from skeptics, physicists, clinicians, and optical engineers.

The purpose of Version 2 is simple and sincere:
to support, not supplant; to clarify, not claim.

12. DISCUSSION

This protocol invites falsification as much as confirmation. Its purpose is to generate a global dataset with standardized conditions so that the scientific community can meaningfully evaluate whether perceived structures arise from:

• optical interference

• neural dynamics

• altered sensory gating

• cognitive pattern recognition

• symbolic projection

• or something not yet understood

The value lies in the clarity of evidence, not the direction of the evidence.

13. CONCLUSION

The DMT–Laser Interference Protocol (Version 2) provides:

• the first globally standardized framework

• rigorous safety architecture

• controlled optical conditions

• validated negative controls

• structured phenomenology

• reproducible dosing

• unified data archiving

Regardless of outcome, this investigation will refine our understanding of perception, coherent light interference, and the neurobiology of altered states.

REFERENCES

1. Goler, D. (2025). Independent pilot observations of laser speckle perception under DMT.

2. Gallimore, A. R. (2013–2022). Research on psychedelic phenomenology and entoptic geometry.

3. Gómez Emilsson, A. (2020–2025). Work on visual qualia, cymatics, and structured perception.

4. Goodman, J. (1975). Speckle Phenomena in Optics.

5. Bressloff, P. (2014). Waves in Neural Media.

6. Carhart-Harris, R. (2010–2024). Neurobiology of psychedelics and sensory gating.

7. Swygert, J.S. (2023–2025). Publications on encoded equilibrium, consciousness, and structured perception.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author thanks:

• Danny Goler

• Andrés Gómez Emilsson & the Qualia Research Institute

• Independent psychonaut-scientists

• Skeptics and critics whose scrutiny strengthens the methodology

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The author declares no financial or institutional conflicts related to psychedelic substances, optical hardware, or associated technologies.