Sandworms in Frank Herbert's Dune universe are giant organisms that dominate the environment of the desert planet Arrakis and are revered as deities by the indigenous fremen species. The colossal worms are critical to the Imperium as they are the exclusive source of a rare and valuable material known as melange, or "the spice," which is essential for interplanetary travel. In the series, the most crucial and valuable substance in the cosmos is melange, a potent narcotic that provides the user with an extended lifespan, increased vitality, and heightened consciousness. Some individuals can develop prescience, a type of precognition rooted in genetics but enhanced by consuming bigger amounts of the spice.