Trip of a Lifetime: The Psychedelic Guide to Healing, Loving, and Living

by Benjamin Forest

#1 Amazon bestseller in Experimental Psychology and Transpersonal Psychology.

“Raw, poetic, and practical. For those considering psychedelics, this book should be essential reading.” – LA Weekly

“Equal parts memoir, self-help guide, and spiritual invitation, the book channels the psychedelic journey into ten core principles for transformation.” – Medium

“This is perhaps the most heartfelt psychedelic book ever written. He takes the reader by the hand and guides them through every step of the journey.” – Dina Martinka, founder of the Church of Awareness

Trip of a Lifetime is a soul-stirring guide for anyone seeking deep healing, radical self-love, and true spiritual awakening.

After 25 years of military service and decades of depression, Benjamin Forest took a heroic dose of psilocybin—and everything changed. What followed was a life-altering transformation that led him from despair to joy, from meaninglessness to purpose, from self-abandonment to self-love.

In this compelling guide, Forest distills his psychedelic insights into ten powerful principles anyone can apply—whether you’re psychedelic-curious or already along your medicine path.

You’ll learn how your inner hero and unlock your full potentialSet powerful intentions that fuel lasting changeHeal emotional wounds and rediscover your true selfCultivate compassion, courage, and spiritual alignmentManifest a life that reflects your soul’s deepest calling
If you’re ready to turn pain into purpose and longing into love, this book is your invitation.

Buy now and embrace the journey.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

262 pages, Paperback

Published August 30, 2025

About the author

Benjamin Forest spent 25 years as a military officer before a psychedelic ceremony did what conventional treatments could not: rescue him from suicidal treatment-resistant depression. That journey from the Pentagon to plant medicine transformed his life and led him to a new form of service—as an author, speaker, and coach dedicated to helping men face what they fear most inside themselves.

He is the author of Trip of a Lifetime: The Psychedelic Guide to Healing, Loving, and Living. His story has been featured in USA Today, LA Weekly, and The Good Men Project, as well as on dozens of podcasts. His work focuses on psychedelic healing, emotional courage, masculinity, sexuality, and becoming a full human being.

Reviews

[Alexis Schofield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spot On

Just returned from an ayahuasca retreat two weeks ago, this book is incredibly accurate on what to expect and how to do it.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Healing Privilege is Real. Those who need the most help often can’t access it. That’s the psychedelephant in the room.”

My Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ (and a half)

What I Loved:
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I’d like to start by saying that I read this book as someone who has never used any psychedelics, nor had any intention of doing so. That being said, this book has a lot of good information for those even 1% tempted to go the psychedelic medicinal route to treat whatever ails you. Going into this book, I was vaguely aware that there were retreats and things of that sort, but I’ve only ever contemplated the idea of microdosing mushrooms as a form of mental illness medication. I definitely learned a great deal from this book, and I’m fond of the way our author presents this information, as a friend who loves you, not as a scholar or know-it-all.

What I Didn’t Love:
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ A majority of this book does cater to those who plan to take psychedelics, and that being said, this book just isn’t for *me* specifically. Our author also saves himself at the very end by finally bringing up the fact that psychedelic medicines and retreats are for a higher tax bracket than the majority of us. One of his on-a-whim bookings being $7k-9K for roughly a week's stay at the resort. At times, this made the book feel like one of your rich friends bragging about a vacation they went on, how you HAVE to experience it, and you don’t even have a passport.

Writing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Our author certainly has a way with speaking in his writing that shows a lot of compassion, intelligence, and understanding. He often finds ways to connect the content to yourself and makes the content very relatable. I appreciate the way he lays out all of the information in this book. I am definitely coming away from this experience with a lot of new information and insight into this world of psychedelic medicines.

[Graeme Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trip of a Lifetime: The Psychedelic Guide to Healing, Loving, and Living is a deeply personal and spiritually charged exploration of transformation through psychedelic experience. Benjamin Forest blends memoir, philosophical reflection, and practical guidance into a narrative that feels both vulnerable and instructive.

What elevates this book is its emotional sincerity. Forest writes candidly about decades of depression following 25 years of military service, framing his psilocybin experience not as escapism but as a catalytic turning point. The result is not simply a recounting of altered states, but a structured roadmap built around ten principles for intentional healing and self reclamation.

Rather than sensationalizing psychedelics, Forest emphasizes preparation, intention, integration, and spiritual alignment. The tone is invitational rather than prescriptive, making the book accessible to both the psychedelic curious and those already familiar with transpersonal practices.

At its core, Trip of a Lifetime is about reclaiming authorship over one’s life. Readers drawn to memoir driven psychology, spiritual growth, and consciousness exploration will find this a heartfelt and thought provoking companion.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting read! I was enjoying it so much, my husband read it after me and loved it as well! This book captures the chaos and beauty of altered states so vividly you almost feel it (or you really want to!) It’s insightful—offering real perspective on consciousness, healing, and what it means to truly let go. I received this book as a giveaway and i'm so glad I did!

[Andie Wearden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kinda like this dude. He seems like he would be nice and definitely interesting to talk to.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

So basically, here’s the deal: it wasn’t what I was expecting. I love books about science. I love memoirs. So I walked into this book with some preconceived notions, having read many books in those genres. Accordingly, I wished for more of each—I wish the memoir elements delved more into his own life and experiences; I wished the science elements delved more into the meaty science behind psychedelics. But I also acknowledge that is not a failing on the part of the author or the book, I think it largely falls to me for walking in thinking I knew how it was going to go. Which honestly is a good thesis for the book.

It reads more like a….informational guide/self-help, with homework and journaling. Which I read a lot of those too. I was absolutely game and participated in all assignments, except for partaking in the psychedelics. I got a job that will not only drug test but for sure read this review, so that’s not really on the table for me at this juncture. But it was a fascinating perspective, and a well-written one at that. This guy is obviously very engaging and passionate about this. I enjoy reading the (limited) medical studies psychedelics have on a range of mental health disorders, including PTSD, because there is far too often where traditional therapeutic responses are failing to reach the most vulnerable. I feel like those cases are as immediate and life threatening as terminal illnesses; why not try alternative measures? Give them a chance to live again.

I think it is a worthwhile book, and definitely a thought provoking one. Great work.

[DALYN MILLER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trip of a Lifetime: The Psychedelic Guide to Healing, Loving, and Living by Benjamin Forest is a deeply personal and transformative exploration of healing, self discovery, and spiritual awakening. Blending memoir, practical guidance, and philosophical reflection, the book offers readers a compelling look at how profound inner change can emerge from confronting one’s deepest struggles.

Drawing from his own journey after decades of depression and a long career in military service, Forest presents an honest account of the moment that sparked his transformation. Through his experiences with psilocybin and the insights that followed, he distills the lessons of that journey into ten clear principles designed to guide readers toward greater self-awareness, healing, and purpose.

One of the most powerful aspects of the book is its emphasis on intention and self compassion. Forest encourages readers to reconnect with their inner strength, confront emotional wounds, and rediscover the parts of themselves that may have been buried beneath years of pain or doubt. The principles he outlines are thoughtful, reflective, and practical enough to apply beyond the psychedelic context, making the book meaningful even for readers who are simply interested in personal growth and spiritual exploration.

Forest’s writing style is raw, poetic, and deeply sincere. His vulnerability allows readers to connect with the emotional heart of the story, while his insights offer a clear path toward transformation. The result is a guide that feels both personal and universal an invitation for readers to look inward and embrace their own journey of healing and self discovery.

Ultimately, Trip of a Lifetime is a powerful reminder that transformation often begins when we are willing to face our pain with courage and compassion. It is both a memoir of awakening and a roadmap for anyone seeking to live with greater authenticity, love, and purpose.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trip of a Lifetime: The Psychedelic Guide to Healing, Loving, and Living by Benjamin Forest is a brave, luminous exploration of transformation through self discovery and expanded consciousness. Forest’s ability to weave personal vulnerability with profound insight makes this guide both intimate and empowering. His ten principles for healing and awakening feel practical yet deeply spiritual, offering readers a way to translate psychedelic revelation into daily purpose. This book speaks not just to those curious about plant medicine, but to anyone seeking a path from pain to peace, and from inner chaos to soulful clarity. It’s a rare blend of memoir, science, and spiritual truth raw, poetic, and deeply human.