Psychedelic Healing

February 1, 2011

This small book has a big agenda. Psychotherapist Goldsmith proposes the reintegration of psychedelic substance use for therapeutic psychotherapy, personal development, and transformative sacred ritual as a means for societal betterment. Using his personal experience with psychedelics as a backdrop, Goldsmith outlines historical and modern tribal usage, examines previous research, and defends safety and efficacy. He suggests no less than a complete overhaul of Drug Enforcement Administration drug scheduling, National Institutes of Health research funding criteria, and psychotherapy in general. Goldsmith lays down his and other proponents' substantial credentials to legitimize the growing body of scientific evidence that entheogens (psilocybin, mescaline, LSD, Ecstasy, DMT), used in the appropriate therapeutic environment and with a well-trained therapist, can provide relief for some of the more intractable mental-health challenges such as alcohol and heroin addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. VERDICT Written with authority and scholarship, this book is intended for the therapeutic mental health community and will find readers at any academic institution with a psychology department. However, the wider audience of seekers and free thinkers make this appropriate for most public library collections as well.--Janet Tapper, Univ. of Western States Lib., Portland, OR

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