LSD Psychotherapy (4th Edition)

Auteur

Dr. Stanislav Grof began his research into the psychotherapeutic uses of LSD in 1960 at the Psychiatric Research Institute in Prague, Czechoslovakia. More than thirty years of work in this field make him eminently qualified to write this book. He is the founding president of the International Transpersonal Association, and has taught and lectured in academic and workshop settings worldwide. Dr. Grof is the author of numerous other books, the latest of which is Psychology of the Future: Lessons from Modern Consciousness Research. Visit Stanislav Grof's website to learn more about his techniques and latest work.

Texte du rabat

LSD Psychotherapy is a complete account of a remarkable chapter in the ever-continuing inquiry into our transpersonal nature and origins.

The sensationalism surrounding the widespread use of LSD in the late 1960s 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.

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.

Contenu

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