In both clinical and informal settings, psychedelics users often report they have undergone something profound and even life-altering. Yet there persists a confounding inability to articulate just what has been imparted. Informed by multidisciplinary emerging research, this book provides an account of the specifically educational aspects of psychedelics and how they can render us ready to learn. Drawing from indigenous peoples worldwide who typically revere these substances as "plant teachers" and from canonical thinkers in the western tradition such as Plato, Spinoza, Kant, and Heidegger, the author proposes an original set of categories through which to understand the educational capabilities of "entheogens" (psychedelics with visionary qualities). It emerges that entheogens' real power lies not in destabilizing and decentering—"turning on and dropping out"—but as powerful aids in restoring and reenchanting our shared worlds.

A recent wave of research in psychiatry and neuroscience has re-examined the properties of “classic” psychedelic substances - also known as serotonergic hallucinogens - such as psilocybin, LSD, and DMT. Evidence to date suggests that psychedelics can be given safely in controlled conditions, at moderate to high doses, and may have potential as therapeutic agents in the treatment of various addictive and mood disorders. The main mechanism of action appears to be the induction of a dramatically altered state of consciousness, but the details of how psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy works are hotly debated, as are the relations between psychedelic experiences themselves and the neural changes induced by the drugs. Philosophical Perspectives on Psychedelic Psychiatry addresses the fascinating philosophical questions raised by the renewed psychiatric use of psychedelics, with chapters from leading philosophers of mind, science, and psychiatry centred around three main themes. Chapters in the “self and mind” section ask: what can we learn about the self and the mind from psychedelic science? Chapters in the “science and psychiatry” section address methodological, theoretical, and clinical questions concerning how psychedelics can best be studied scientifically and used therapeutically, and how they might work to relieve psychiatric suffering. Finally, chapters in the “ethics and spirituality” section address broader questions about the interpretation of psychedelic experience, its ethical implications, and its possible role(s) in the broader culture.

We are in the midst of what is being called the 'psychedelic renaissance' with growing interest into how psychedelics alter consciousness, brain function and brain connectivity. The acute, often profound, effects of the psychedelic experience can induce lasting improvements in mental health demonstrating that chemistry forms the basis of mystical experience, consciousness and mental wellbeing. - This volume is a collection of chapters by world leaders in fields of neurobiology, neuropsychiatry, psychology, ethnography and pharmacology, addressing the neurobiological mechanisms of action of various classic and atypical psychedelics, their therapeutic potential as well as the possible risks associated with their use

Researchers, program administrators, and practicing clinicians explain the most recent developments in using psychedelic substances to treat psychological, physiological, and social problems. More than a decade ago, the U.S. government lifted its ban on all testing of psychedelic substances. Winkelman and Sessa now provide updated scientific research and applications of these substances, now moving into approved categories of medicine. The text is an up-to-date assessment of the latest advances in the field of psychedelic medicine, covering the use of LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, ayahuasca, and other substances to augment psychotherapies for a range of disorders. It discusses medical and psychiatric concerns, clinical efficacy and safety, ethical considerations, and neuroscience findings regarding the psychedelic compounds. Topics covered include an overview of psychiatric applications of psychedelics; treatments for addictions and depressive disorders; effects of psychedelics on inflammation and neuroplasticity; evidence for clinical applications of DMT, ayahuasca, and cannabidiol; psychedelic treatment of sociopathic disorders; microdosing psychedelics; training psychedelic therapists; and community-based harm reduction approaches to managing psychedelic crises.

EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression: A New Approach for the Whole Person represents a critical step forward in the field of psychedelic therapy. The book is a comprehensive guide for clinicians, offering a groundbreaking therapeutic framework for administering psychedelic medicines in treating depression. Developed in response to identified gaps in existing models of psychedelic therapy, the EMBARK model addresses the need for a comprehensive, ethical, and inclusive approach. It bridges gaps from previous psychedelic therapies, such as lack of attentiveness to the body and rigorous ethical practice. EMBARK offers a transdiagnostic and trans-drug approach adaptable to various indications and psychedelic medicines. It's built on four Cornerstones of Care: Trauma-Informed Care, Culturally Competent Care, Ethically Rigorous Care, and Collective Care, reflecting the belief that efficacious treatment is ethical treatment. The EMBARK acronym represents six Clinical Domains that commonly emerge for people in psychedelic experiences: Existential-Spiritual, Mindfulness, Body Aware, Affective-Cognitive, Relational, and Keeping Momentum. The book provides practical instructions and suggested agendas for therapists, and offers a flexible, participant-centric approach to integration, focusing on the clinical domains that emerged for the participant. It also links theory to practice for the treatment of depression, drawing from twelve proposed psychological mechanisms of therapeutic change in psychedelic therapy, and provides a comprehensive guide to treatment factors. EMBARK psychedelic therapy is open-sourced to the clinical community for development and adaptation to other psychedelic medicines, diverse populations, and to inform the development of psychedelic practitioner trainings, making it an essential resource for those interested in the field of psychedelic therapy.

A guide to psychedelics and Buddhist practice • Presents guidance and techniques for Buddhists who wish to incorporate psychedelics into their practice as well as for psychonauts who are interested in the maps of inner space provided by Buddhism • Explores the use of psychedelics in Buddhist practice, sharing the kind of spiritual experiences that can be gained with each • Describes meditation techniques, with special attention being given to the generation of the Four Positive Attitudes In this user’s guide to psychedelic Buddhism, Lama Mike Crowley presents techniques for Buddhists who wish to incorporate psychedelics into their practice as well as for psychonauts who are interested in the maps of inner space provided by Buddhism. The author details how psychedelics have led to spontaneous awakening experiences, such as “Indra’s net” and universal voidness, that were once thought to be available only to advanced meditators. He explores the use of psychedelics, such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms, in a Buddhist context, sharing the kind of spiritual experiences and benefits that can be gained with each. The author also looks at the use of psychedelics encoded in Vedic and Buddhist scriptures, particularly in the Vajrayāna tradition, from the Middle Ages until the present day. Presenting an informed summary of Buddhism for psychonauts, the author explores the key beliefs of Buddhism, the life of the Buddha, and the practices followed in various yānas, or paths. He describes meditation techniques, with special attention being given to the generation of the Four Positive Attitudes: loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity, each being taken from their personal to their universal forms. He looks at Buddhist symbols, ceremonies, deities, and initiations, as well as psychic powers in Buddhist tradition, and how these ideas and practices can be used in the exploration of the inner realms of consciousness. Providing a complete guide to integrating psychedelics into Buddhist practice, this book reveals how the ancient Buddhist teachers discovered their universal maps of consciousness and how you can use their wisdom to guide your journey.

Psychedelic compounds use has a rich and complicated history spanning through ancient cultures, modern medical use, cultural movements and national and international politics. With the latest resurgence of use of these compounds in mental health and medical conditions, we are just scratching the surface of understanding the mechanisms that underlie these drugs' effects and their ways of action in the single body and in society as a whole.

For psychotherapists and inner explorers, an expansive, multidimensional odyssey into the history, practice, and potential of psychedelic healing Now that the stigmas against psychedelic medicine are finally lifting, there’s a lot of curiosity—and confusion—about these powerful compounds. How can psychedelics be used safely? What are the risks? Can they truly help heal the wide variety of conditions that has garnered such international attention? In Psychedelic Revival, Sean Lawlor invites you on a deep dive into the science, spirituality, and practice of psychedelic healing—a revival of both the first wave of pre-1960s research and ancient healing traditions with plant medicines. Join this respected author and researcher to gain a full-spectrum understanding of the possibilities and limits of psychedelics, including: • The Western history of psychedelic medicine and recreational use • The millennium-spanning legacy of Indigenous plant medicine traditions • In-depth chapters on psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, ketamine, mescaline, ibogaine, peyote, ayahuasca, DMT, and more • Practical insights, from microdosing to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to transformative mystical experiences • The shadow dimensions of psychedelics—bad trips, scientific stigmatization, inequality of access, and many other essential topics Informed by solid research and direct wisdom from perceptive firsthand accounts, Lawlor guides you into the psychedelic landscape, covering treatment methods, realistic benefits, and the legitimate perils psychedelics can induce. Along the way, he shares exclusive interviews with luminaries such as Michael Pollan, Rick Doblin, Camille Barton, Carl Hart, Jim Fadiman, Rick Strassman, Natalie Ginsberg, Sandor Iron Rope, and many more. Psychedelics have tremendous healing potential, yet all evocative modalities should be handled with care. To make good choices, we need quality information about the prospects and pitfalls of these emerging therapeutic tools. Psychedelic Revival is an invaluable resource for navigating this exciting frontier in Western healing.