Trust Surrender Receive: How MDMA Can Release Us From Trauma and PTSD

by Anne Other

Despite modern pharmaceutical medications and many different psychological therapies, military veterans and survivors of mental and physical trauma from civil society continue to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trust Surrender How MDMA Can Release Us from Trauma and PTSD briefly chronicles the medical, legal, and social history of this misunderstood medicine, but its primary focus is to give a taste of how MDMA actually works from inside the experience, through the written and spoken words of firsthand testimonial accounts. The book takes readers through the healing processes of more than forty individuals who, often after many years of personal struggle, chose to take responsibility for their condition by turning to the medicine. In this way, accompanied by an experienced attendant, they have been able to revisit their trauma from a buffered distance and to find lasting release. These releases are made fully possible through an understanding of the biological concept of Unexperienced Experience. The truth of this profound and elegant hypothesis becomes clear throughout the testimonials and is introduced here after more than thirty years of obscurity. This medicine-work requires the attentive presence of a responsible, trusted fellow human being throughout the five- to six-hour healing process. Beginning in 2001, when Anne Other responded to a request to sit with a friend during his MDMA session, the work has grown organically into a cooperative network of attendants with whom clients can choose to engage.

Genres: Psychology, Drugs, Nonfiction

462 pages, Paperback

Published July 30, 2017

Reviews

[Birgen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read about psychedelic assisted therapy and it completely opened my eyes to a method of treatment that should be made widely available to people with PTSD. I have since put in more research on the topic and even managed to try 2 MDMA assisted therapy sessions, which quite nearly cured me of my addiction and introduced me to my younger self; allowing me to nurture my inner child and work with her toward an authentic self-love that I never thought I could achieve.

For anyone who feels they've "tried everything" with no success in treating PTSD, depression, or addiction... this book is full of first hand accounts of patients who tried and found relief in MDMA therapy. I hope it will help you realize that there are still options out there and not to give up hope

[Nicholas Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly profound read for those seeking emotional, spiritual, or other forms of personal growth. There was not a single testimony that felt like it could've been chopped out, boring, or otherwise. In fact, the gamut of experiences and unique individuals covered in the book are a testament to this book being worthy of a read by anyone, regardless of background or socioeconomic status.

It was reading about all sorts of traumas and childhoods that allowed me to keep an open mind throughout. The medicine is not just for soldiers with PTSD. It's also not just for children who suffered neglect. Nor is it only for the sexually abused. It is for all three and more. Even for those with no traumas left to tackle, as the last testimony in the book describes.

Along with my highest possible recommendation, I will also say this is an incredibly heavy book to read, especially if empathy is your default setting. I would equate each testimony to thirty minutes of deep conversation with a friend suffering from loss of some sort. You feel heavier after each read, but always better off from it.

Just keep that in mind when choosing when and where to read this.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an easy to follow introduction to the process of MDMA therapy. The stories helped to visualize what this process could look like in various contexts yet the message was not lost - each person will have their own experience that is unique to them. Highly recommend for anyone that is considering this step as part of their healing journey.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book, the healing experience described are impressive and enthralling and so is the insights of the therapists. I however disagree at how it is pushing the fact that MDMA therapy can't only be done with a therapy. There are other ways to heal alone with MDMA.

[Andre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

These are absolutely amazing testimonies. It's an incredible compilation and hopefully sheds some light on the healing properties of this medicine.

[Satyajeet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book. The book contains a good number of experiences records relating to MDMA therapy. The drug is being said to have been curing PTSD related trauma and it certainly has the potential to heal.
In the popular culture, it's still being misused to rave and of course to look at the lights. It's Australia's favourite party drug. Oooh! The feeling of self-love that it brings on, so why not!
In a world, that wants ppl to be constantly on antidepressants, a couple of therapy sessions with MDMA seem to be doing more benefits than the SSRIs do to people.

[Lana Pribic · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. Soooo many testimonials that the book lacked a cohesiveness and common thread. I felt like I was jumping around so much from one voice to another. I would have enjoyed learning more about the medicine and how it works. If you’re totally new to MDMA and it’s powers this might be an interesting read. But I’ve been working with this medicine (on and off dance floors) for 12 years now so it lacked substance for me. The book goes from breadth over depth.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book only contains about 30 pages of actionable, practical information about MDMA therapy. Instead it’s mainly a collection of testimonials from people describing how MDMA therapy transformed their lives and helped them heal from past traumas etc..

I don’t doubt that MDMA helped all of these people a lot and has the potential to help many more, but the stories get very repetitive, to the point where I struggled to finish reading them all. And I don’t think I gained much from this book that I didn’t already get from A Dose of Hope , which is much more readable and concise.

[Glen Helfand]

There apparently aren't many books on this subject, which is too bad, because this one is a mess. It is a compendium of (barely, lightly edited?) testimonials by people who have discovered their traumas through MDMA therapy. Some of the narratives are interesting and even compelling, but they all strike the same note. The book has real structural problems, Anne Other (real name?) suggests that it needn't be read from front to back, but offers little sense of how to dive in. The narratives become repetitive and boring, as well as making it seem like anyone who goes through this experience will discover hidden trauma. Did not finish, and do not recommend.

[Domas Janulevicius · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evans copy