Psychedelics 101
By popular request, I recorded the short video above to cover what I consider “psychedelics 101.” There is a sea of misinformation out there, and the video covers resources I consider well vetted. All links are listed below. Please be sure to see the important disclaimer at the bottom of this post.
BOOKS AND ARTICLES:
- How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence by Michael Pollan
- “The Trip Treatment” by Michael Pollan, The New Yorker
- The Healing Journey: Pioneering Approaches to Psychedelic Therapy by Claudio Naranjo
- The Secret Chief Revealed by Myron J. Stolaroff
- Wizard of the Upper Amazon: The Story of Manuel Córdova-Rios by F. Bruce Lamb
- Singing to the Plants: A Guide to Mestizo Shamanism in the Upper Amazon by Stephan V. Beyer
DOCUMENTARIES/VIDEO SERIES:
- Trip of Compassion
- From Shock to Awe
- DOSED
- Horizons Video Series | Horizons Vimeo | Horizons Conference YouTube
THE TIM FERRISS SHOW PODCAST EPISODES:
- Overview of Psychedelic Fact vs. Fiction — Microdosing, Mind-Enhancing Methods, and More | The Tim Ferriss Show #377
- Dr. Gabor Maté — New Paradigms, Ayahuasca, and Redefining Addiction | The Tim Ferriss Show #298
- Michael Pollan — Exploring The New Science of Psychedelics | The Tim Ferriss Show #313
- Michael Pollan — Exploring the Frontiers of Psychedelics | The Tim Ferriss Show #365
- Marcela Ot’alora — How to Become a Psychedelic Therapist | The Tim Ferriss Show #396
- Rick Doblin — The Psychedelic Domino That Tips All Others | The Tim Ferriss Show #440
- Are Psychedelic Drugs the Next Medical Breakthrough? #104 | The Tim Ferriss Show
RESEARCH CENTERS:
- The Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research | Johns Hopkins
- Centre for Psychedelic Research | Imperial College London
- Center for Psychedelic Medicine | NYU Langone Health
- Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics | UC Berkeley
PEOPLE:
ORGANIZATIONS:
- Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)
- The Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative (PSFC)
- Heffter Research Institute
- Usona Institute
- McKenna Academy
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: These plants and compounds are illegal in many countries, and even possession can carry severe criminal penalties. None of this post constitutes medical advice or should be construed as a recommendation to use psychedelics. There are serious legal, psychological, and physical risks. Psychedelics are not for everyone—they can exacerbate certain emotional problems, and there have been, in very rare cases, fatalities.
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (Resources)
Training Resources
Individuals interested in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy and research can visit the MAPS Public Benefit Corporation Therapy Training webpage to sign up for the training newsletter, to receive updates on training opportunities, and to view application procedures and requirements for the MDMA Therapy Training Program.
The MAPS PBC Therapy Provider Connect Portal is a community discussion forum for therapy providers, physicians, and facilities to connect with one another to develop a site or treatment staff in order to become eligible to participate in a MAPS Public Benefit Corporation MDMA PTSD protocol.
Another training opportunity for practitioners interested in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy is the CIIS Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research Certificate. Additionally, there are alternative therapeutic approaches available now that can be complementary to psychedelic-assisted therapy, such as Internal Family Systems, Holotropic Breathwork, Hakomi, and Somatic Experiencing.
Other useful experiences on the path to becoming a psychedelic therapist may include volunteering to provide psychedelic peer harm reduction through the Zendo Project, opportunities to work with individuals at the end of life as a chaplain or death doula, mediating peer support groups, or supporting individuals impacted by trauma.
Information for students interested in the field of psychedelic therapy and research can be found on the MAPS website.
Recommended Reading List
- The Way of the Psychonaut: Encyclopedia for Inner Journeys (Volume One) and (Volume Two) by Stan Grof
- The Cosmic Game: Explorations of the Frontiers of Human Consciousness by Stan Grof
- Beyond the Brain: Birth, Death, and Transcendence in Psychotherapy by Stan Grof
- The Ethics of Caring: Honoring the Web of Life in Our Professional Healing Relationships by Kylea Taylor
- The Healing Journey: Pioneering Approaches to Psychedelic Therapy by Claudio Naranjo
- War and the Soul: Healing Our Nation’s Veterans from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder by Edward Tick
- Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha by Tara Brach
- A Path with Heart: A Guide Through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life by Jack Kornfield
- The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace by Jack Kornfield
- Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky and Connie Burk
- The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle
- From Fixation to Freedom: The Enneagram of Liberation by Eli Jaxon-Bear
- Essential Enneagram: The Definitive Personality Test and Self-Discovery Guide by David Daniels and Virginia Price
- Doing Not Doing: A Facilitator’s Guide by Tav Sparks
- The Places that Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times by Pema Chodron
- Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence—from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror by Judith Herman
- Body-Centered Psychotherapy by Ron Kurtz
- The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
- Soulcollage: An Intuitive Collage Process for Individuals and Groups by Seena B. Frost
- Dictionary of Symbolism: Cultural Icons and the Meanings Behind Them by Hans Biedermann
- The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths of the Warrior, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary by Angeles Arrien
- The Transforming Power of Affect: A Model for Accelerated Change by Diana Fosha
- Right Use of Power: The Heart of Ethics by Cedar Barstow
- The End of Your World: Uncensored Straight Talk on the Nature of Enlightenment by Adyashanti
- In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness by Peter A. Levine
- The Inner World of Trauma by Donald Kalsched
- Confrontation with the Unconscious: Jungian Depth Psychology and Psychedelic Experience by Scott J. Hill
Additional Reading Focused on Cultural Trauma and Culturally Informed Care
- Toward Psychologies of Liberation by Mary Watkins and Helene Schulman
- My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem
- Embodied Social Justice by Rae Johnson
- Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing by Joy DeGruy
- Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love, and Liberation by angel Kyodo williams, Lama Rod Owens, and Jasmine Syedullah
- The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
- White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
- What Does It Mean to Be White?: Developing White Racial Literacy by Robin DiAngelo
- Towards Collective Liberation: Anti-Racist Organizing, Feminist Praxis, and Movement Building Strategy by Chris Crass
- The Way of Tenderness: Awakening through Race, Sexuality, and Gender by Zenju Earthlyn Manuel