Written for the psychotherapist who may be interested in
the clinical use of LSD. Includes history, basic effects, the
psycholytic and psychedelic therapies, adverse effects and
contraindications, the course of therapy, indications for use,
therapeutic mechanisms, and other uses such as training and
self-actualization. Many case studies. Good section on helping
users with "bad trips" or other problems.
Recommended.
More philosophic treatment of the nature of reality, the
cartography of inner space, emotional disorders and the
psychotherapeutic process. Some on LSD therapy.
Long-term personal study of psychological and spiritual
growth, using several psychedelics (LSD, MDMA, 2C-B, 2C-T7,
2C-E, others). Awareness to free oneself into joy, being
immersed in heavenly light, the Presence of God, and sublime
heights. Also work on inner psychological problems and
difficult mental states. Forward by Sasha and Ann Shulgin.
Excellent study of brief history of MDMA, who uses it, why
they use it, why they quit, and problems of use, based on a
research survey. They recommend a social policy of harm
reduction and research into its therapeutic potentials. Best
book for policy making. Also good user advice.
Personal story of twelve years of underground group therapy
using LSD and other psychedelics. Includes author's insights,
group dynamics, therapist-patient and other personal
relationships and conflicts. He is neither for nor against
this method; a good case study. Fascinating description of
several unusual techniques used by this group.
Wonderful, profusely illustrated book on the botany,
chemistry, and sacred use of hallucinogenic plants. Starts with
a general introduction to the plants and cultures who use them,
then briefly describes and illustrates 91 different species.
Fourteen get extended chapters on cultural uses, chemistry, and
art, including Cannabis, Ergot, Iboga, ayahuasca, Peyote, San
Pedro, and Psilocybe. Best introduction to ethnobotany and plant
entheogens. Many color illustrations. Highly recommended.
Cultural origin of drug use, from altered states in
primates to early man, shamanism, Soma, the Mystery of Eleusis,
alcohol, cannabis, tobacco; dominator drug wars; white drugs
heroin, cocaine, and television; and history and potential
value of psychedelics. Most integrated and visionary of his
books. Consciousness will never be the same.
Earlier book on ethnobotany of South American tribes.
Covers wider ground, more in photographs than text. If you
liked Vine of the Soul, adds background and flavor.
Tells of his nine ethnobotanical trips to the North Amazon.
Techniques for plant collection and learning plant lore from
native shamans, not always easy. He also tries epena snuff.
Includes bibliography and plant glossary (but no index).
Traces early religions to mind-altering plants. Wasson's
lead chapter connects Soma of the Vedic texts with Amanita
mushrooms, the Mystery of Eleusis with ergot, and more. Plus
Buddha's last meal, disembodied eyes of Teotihuacan (by Ott),
Greek philosophers and mushrooms, Euripides and wine, secret
rites of the Hyperboreans. Some quite convincing, some
educated speculation.
Good introduction to metaphysics: levels of reality, levels
of selfhood, limits of science, by a noted author. The real
gem is the appendix, The Psychedelic Evidence, where Smith
uses work by Stan Grof and Otto Rank to show how psychedelic
experiences illuminate spiritual realities. Excellent
synthesis of psychedelics with religious values.
Nordic-Germanic ancestral roots of the Western psyche; the
ancient religions and world-views, gods and goddesses, symbols
and legends. Metzner is a master psychotherapist, and early
psychedelic pioneer with Leary and Ram Dass at Harvard. Great
appendix on the magical plants in Germanic-Nordic history, by
Christian Ratsch.
Early book captures the spirit of full attention to the
Now. Good for anyone into psychedelics, breathwork,
meditation, or other mind-stretching. In four parts: how Dr.
Richard Alpert became Ram Dass; From Bindu to Ojas (core
book); Cookbook for a Sacred Life, a description of many
methods (very practical advice on psychedelics); and
bibliography.
