In the Dune series of science fiction novels by Frank Herbert, the spice, often referred to as "Melange," is a fictional psychedelic drug that is central to the plot). It is a highly addictive substance that is used as a powerful entheogen by both the Bene Gesserit and the Fremen people of Arrakis to initiate clairvoyant and precognitive trances, access genetic memory, and heighten other abilities). The Fremen also use the spice to make paper, plastics, and chemical explosives, and the existence of "spice-cloth" and "spice-fiber" rugs are noted in the novels). The spice is a symbol of wealth and status outside of Arrakis, and its possession is highly coveted. It is also a necessary resource within a complex empire that relies on its production to fuel its economy. The spice is only found on Arrakis, colloquially known as Dune, and millennia later called simply "Rakis"). It is a by-product created during the life cycle of giant subterranean sandworms native to the planet Arrakis, and collecting it risks thousands of lives every day. The substance is integral to the plot of the Dune series, and controlling it is the surest way to gain financial and political power.