LSD Psychotherapy: exploring the frontiers of the hidden mind

Description

The sensationalism surrounding the widespread use of LSD in the late 60s and the subsequent legislative overkill virtually ended psychotherapeutic LSD research. Much of what had been learned over thirty years of scientific medical study was so distorted or suppressed that no objective overview was available to the general reader - except for this book. LSD Psychotherapy is a complete account of a remarkable chapter in the ever-continuing inquiry into our transpersonal nature and origins. The controlled studies described in this book reveal exciting and challenging data about the nature of human consciousness, perception, and reality itself. Drawing on this work Dr. Stanislav Grof outlines a new cartography of the human mind, one which accounts for experiences such as shamanic trance, near-death experiences and altered states of consciousness. This vision is also the foundation for Dr. Grof's revolutionary new Holotropic Breathwork techniques. This book is also a visual feast, with numerous color drawings and paintings created by research participants (see featured artist Sherana Harriette Frances' book Drawing It Out: Befriending the Unconscious). Many of these depict archetypal images from the collective human consciousness, which form a powerful addition to the text. LSD Psychotherapy is a valuable source of information for those who are involved with LSD in any way, as parents, teachers, researchers, legislators, or students of the human psyche. The approach to healing described in this book is inspired by the eternal desire of humankind for wholeness and an enduring grasp of reality. In t r o d u c t io n t o t h e F o u r t h E d i t io n ... F o r e w o r d ... P r e f a c e ... 11 A c k n o w l e d g m e n t s ... 1 7 i. H is t o r y o f LSD T h e r a p y ... 21 The Discovery of LSD And its Psychedelic Effects... 21 Early Laboratory and Clinical LSD Research... 24 Therapeutic Experimentation with LSD... 26 Studies of Chemotherapeutic Properties of LSD... 28 LSD-Assisted Psychotherapy... 32 The Need for a Comprehensive Theory of LSD Research... 44 z. C r it ic a l Va r ia b l e s in LSD T h e r a p y ... 49 Pharmacological Effects of LSD... 49 Personality of the Subject... 54 Personality of the Therapist or Guide... 87 Set and Setting of the Sessions... 102 3. PSYCHOLYTIC AND PSYCHEDELIC THERAPIES WITH LSD T o w a r d s a n I n t e g r a t i o n o f A p p r o a c h e s ... 113 The Search for an Effective Technique of LSD Psychotherapy... 113 Advantages and Drawbacks of the Psycholytic Approach... 117 Pros and Cons of Psychedelic Therapy... 120 4. P r in c ip l e s o f LSD P s y c h o t h e r a p y ... 123 The Preparation Method... 123 Psychedelic Sessions... 117 Integration of the Drug Experiences... 120 5. C o m p lic a t io n s o f P s y c h e d e lic T h e r a p y : O c c u r r e n c e , P r e v e n t io n a n d T h e r a p e u t ic M e a s u r e s ... 1 5 1 Physical and Emotional Contraindications... 151 Critical Situations in LSD Sessions... 154 Adverse Aftereffects of LSD Psychotherapy... 201 Prevention and Management of Complications in LSD Psychotherapy... 211 6. T h e C o u r s e o f LSD P s y c h o t h e r a p y ... 217 Changes in the Content of Psychedelic Sessions... 219 Emotional and Psychosomatic Changes in the Post-Session Intervals... 230 Long-Term Changes in the Personality Structure, World-View and Hierarchy of Base Values... 239 7. In d ic a t io n s f o r LSD P s y c h o t h e r a p y , T h e r a p e u t ic P o t e n t ia l , a n d C l in ic a l R e s u l t s ... 245 Problems in the Evaluation of Clinical Results... 245 Depression, Neuroses and Psychosomatic Symptoms... 249 Alcoholism, Drug Addiction, Character Disorders and Sexual Deviations... 252 Borderline Psychotic States and Endogenous Psychoses... 256 Emotional Distress and Physical Pain of Dying Individuals... 260 8. N o n - T h e r a p e u tic U se s o f LSD... 2 6 3 Training Session of Mental Health Professionals... 263 Administration of LSD to Creative Individuals... 265 Drug-Induced Religious and Mystical Experiences... 268 Role of LSD in Personal Growth and Self-Actualization... 274 Use of LSD in the Development of Paranormal Abilities... 275 9. E f f e c t i v e T h e r a p e u t ic M e c h a n is m s o f LSD T h e r a p y ... 281 Intensification of Conventional Therapeutic Mechanisms... 282 Changes in the Dynamics of Governing Systems... 283 Therapeutic Potential of the Death-Rebirth Process... 285 Therapeutic Mechanisms of the Transpersonal Level... 289 E p il o g u e : T h e F u t u r e o f LSD P s y c h o t h e r a p y ... 299 B ib l io g r a p h y ... 3 0 2 A p p e n d ix I C r i s is I n t e r v e n t io n in S it u a t io n s R e l a t e d t o U n s u p e r v is e d U s e o f P s y c h e d e l ic s ... 3 0 8 A p p e n d ix II T h e E f f e c t s o f L S D o n C h r o m o s o m e s , G e n e t ic M u t a t io n , F e t a l D e v e l o p m e n t a n d M a l ig n a n c y ... 3 2 0 R e f e r e n c e s ... 3 4 1 In d e x ... 3 4 8 St a n is l a v G r o f R e c e iv e s VA c la v H a v e l Aw a r d October 2007, By R.M. Crockford... 353 S ta n G r o f : O n t h e o c c a s i o n o f t h e D a g m a r a n d V a c la v H a v e l F o u n d a t io n V IZ E 97 P r iz e ... 3 5 6 A f t e r w o r d : T h e P s y c h e d e l ic R e s e a r c h R e n a is s a n c e — A Review of Recent Psychedelic Psychotherapy Research, By L. Jerome, Ph.D., Valerie Mojeiko, Rick Doblin, Ph.D.... 361 A b o u t t h e P u b l is h e r ... 371