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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, Stanislav Grof outlines a new cartography of the human mind, one which accounts for experiences such as shamanic trances, near-death experiences and altered states of consciousness. This vision is also the foundation for Dr. Grof's revolutionary 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, forming a powerful addition to the text.
LSD Psychotherapy is a valuable source of information for those who are involved with LSD in any way, whether 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.
“[Grof's work] is the most important contribution to personality theory in several decades.” –Abraham Maslow, founder of Humanistic Psychology
“If I am the father of LSD, Stan Grof is the godfather. Nobody has contributed as much as Stan for the development of my problem child.” –Dr. Albert Hofmann, research chemist and author of LSD: My Problem Child
“I know of no work that so well incorporates the findings of Freud, Jung and Rank, adding fresh insights, which the methods of those psychotherapists could never have achieved. I do not doubt that many others working in this field would find Dr. Grof's discoveries a basis for a whole new strategy of research.” –Jean Houston, PhD, The Foundation for Mind Research
Introduction to the Fourth Edition by Albert Hofmann
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. HISTORY OF LSD THERAPY
The Discovery of LSD And its Psychedelic Effects
Early Laboratory and Clinical LSD Research
Therapeutic Experimentation with LSD.
Studies of Chemotherapeutic Properties of LSD
LSD-Assisted Psychotherapy
The Need for a Comprehensive Theory of LSD Research
2. CRITICAL VARIABLES IN LSD THERAPY
Pharmacological Effects of LSD
Personality of the Subject
Personality of the Therapist or Guide
Set and Setting of the Sessions
3. PSYCHOLYTIC AND PSYCHEDELIC THERAPIES WITH LSD TOWARDS AN INTEGRATION OF APPROACHES
The Search for an Effective Technique of LSD Psychotherapy
Advantages and Drawbacks of the Psycholytic Approach
Pros and Cons of Psychedelic Therapy
4. PRINCIPLES OF LSD PSYCHOTHERAPY
The Preparation Method
Psychedelic Sessions
Integration of the Drug Experiences
5. COMPLICATIONS OF PSYCHEDELIC THERAPY: OCCURRENCE, PREVENTION AND THERAPEUTIC MEASURES
Physical and Emotional Contraindications
Critical Situations in LSD Sessions
Adverse Aftereffects of LSD Psychotherapy
Prevention and Management of Complications in LSD Psychotherapy
6. THE COURSE OF LSD PSYCHOTHERAPY
Changes in the Content of Psychedelic Sessions
Emotional and Psychosomatic Changes in the Post-Session Intervals
Long-Term Changes in the Personality Structure, World-View and Hierarchy of Base Values
7. INDICATIONS FOR LSD PSYCHOTHERAPY, THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL, AND CLINICAL RESULTS
Problems in the Evaluation of Clinical Results
Depression, Neuroses and Psychosomatic Symptoms
Alcoholism, Drug Addiction, Character Disorders and Sexual Deviations
Borderline Psychotic States and Endogenous Psychoses
Emotional Distress and Physical Pain of Dying Individuals
8.NON-THERAPEUTIC USES OF LSD
Training Session of Mental Health Professionals
Administration of LSD to Creative Individuals
Drug-Induced Religious and Mystical Experiences
Role of LSD in Personal Growth and Self-Actualization
Use of LSD in the Development of Paranormal Abilities
9. EFFECTIVE THERAPEUTIC MECHANISMS OF LSD THERAPY
Intensification of Conventional Therapeutic Mechanisms
Changes in the Dynamics of Governing Systems
Therapeutic Potential of the Death-Rebirth Process
Therapeutic Mechanisms of the Transpersonal Level
EPILOGUE: THE FUTURE OF LSD PSYCHOTHERAPY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX I
CRISIS INTERVENTION IN SITUATIONS RELATED TO UNSUPERVISED USE OF PSYCHEDELICS
APPENDIX II
THE EFFECTS OF LSD ON CHROMOSOMES, GENETIC MUTATION, FETAL DEVELOPMENT AND MALIGNANCY
REFERENCES
INDEX
STANISLAV GROF RECEIVES VACLAV HAVEL AWARD
October 2007 by R.M. Crockford
STAN GROF: ON THE OCCASION OF THE DAGMAR AND VACLAV HAVEL FOUNDATION VIZE 97 PRIZE
AFTERWORD: THE PSYCHEDELIC RESEARCH RENAISSANCE
A Review of Recent Psychedelic Psychotherapy Research by L. Jerome, Ph.D., Valerie Mojeiko, Rick Doblin, Ph.D
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER