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Psychedelic Healing: The Promise of Entheogens for Psychotherapy and Spiritual Development
Psychedelics as therapeutic catalysts for emotional and spiritual transformation
• Explores the latest medical research on the healing powers of entheogens
• Reveals the crucial role of tribal and shamanic wisdom in psychedelic medicine
• Provides guidelines for working with psychedelics, including the author’s personal healing and recommendations for creating change on the spiritual and societal levels
Banned after promising research in the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s, the use of psychedelics as therapeutic catalysts is now being rediscovered at prestigious medical schools, such as Harvard, Johns Hopkins, NYU, and UCLA. Through clinical trials to assess their use, entheogens have been found to ease anxiety in the dying, interrupt the hold of addictive drugs, cure post-traumatic stress disorder, and treat other deep-seated emotional disturbances. To date, results have been positive, and the idea of psychedelics as powerful psychiatric--and spiritual--medicines is now beginning to be accepted by the medical community.
Exploring the latest cutting-edge research on psychedelics, along with their use in indigenous cultures throughout history for rites of passage and shamanic rituals, Neal Goldsmith reveals that the curative effect of entheogens comes not from a chemical effect on the body but rather by triggering a peak or spiritual experience. He provides guidelines for working with entheogens, groundbreaking analyses of the concept--and the process--of change in psychotherapy, and, ultimately, his own story of psychedelic healing. Examining the tribal roots of this knowledge, Goldsmith shows that by combining ancient wisdom and modern research, we can unlock the emotional, mental, and spiritual healing powers of these unique and powerful tools, providing an integral medicine for postmodern society.
• Explores the latest medical research on the healing powers of entheogens
• Reveals the crucial role of tribal and shamanic wisdom in psychedelic medicine
• Provides guidelines for working with psychedelics, including the author’s personal healing and recommendations for creating change on the spiritual and societal levels
Banned after promising research in the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s, the use of psychedelics as therapeutic catalysts is now being rediscovered at prestigious medical schools, such as Harvard, Johns Hopkins, NYU, and UCLA. Through clinical trials to assess their use, entheogens have been found to ease anxiety in the dying, interrupt the hold of addictive drugs, cure post-traumatic stress disorder, and treat other deep-seated emotional disturbances. To date, results have been positive, and the idea of psychedelics as powerful psychiatric--and spiritual--medicines is now beginning to be accepted by the medical community.
Exploring the latest cutting-edge research on psychedelics, along with their use in indigenous cultures throughout history for rites of passage and shamanic rituals, Neal Goldsmith reveals that the curative effect of entheogens comes not from a chemical effect on the body but rather by triggering a peak or spiritual experience. He provides guidelines for working with entheogens, groundbreaking analyses of the concept--and the process--of change in psychotherapy, and, ultimately, his own story of psychedelic healing. Examining the tribal roots of this knowledge, Goldsmith shows that by combining ancient wisdom and modern research, we can unlock the emotional, mental, and spiritual healing powers of these unique and powerful tools, providing an integral medicine for postmodern society.
256 pages, Paperback
First published December 21, 2010
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492 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 11, 2014
The author explores in an inwardly unfolding manner, the psychological and spiritual aspects, as well the growth and the immaturity of the current policy regarding the psychedelic substances. When a person has worked with themselves psychologically and/or spiritually, then the psychedelic substances may prove to be great tools for one's inner growth and development. The psychedelic substances will not lead to the final frontier of consciousness, but will greatly aid to the opening of new inner horizons and the fall of many of the psychological, sociological patterns, leading in this way, in a more coherent spiritual perception of the world as it *feels* like, and not as it looks like. From personal experiences I can confirm these to be able to bring about profound inner new ways of a more pluralistic understanding of the surrounding world.
Just by reading this book, is a healing loving embrace. If you enjoy reading about psychology you will love this book. And at this point a reminder to myself to attend the Burning Man event as soon as possible.
I have the feeling that after a year or so, I'll come back, I will seek to read again this book and I am sensing that I will discover new aspects. This book touches every little crevice regarding the psycho spirituality and the right we have to self-determination and freedom. Not a single paragraph feels like a chatter, so perfectly and coherently written. A fantastic read!
Just by reading this book, is a healing loving embrace. If you enjoy reading about psychology you will love this book. And at this point a reminder to myself to attend the Burning Man event as soon as possible.
I have the feeling that after a year or so, I'll come back, I will seek to read again this book and I am sensing that I will discover new aspects. This book touches every little crevice regarding the psycho spirituality and the right we have to self-determination and freedom. Not a single paragraph feels like a chatter, so perfectly and coherently written. A fantastic read!
June 21, 2016
One of my favorites in this category. There is something very approachable about how Neal presents psychedelic therapy. I think it is likely because he became a therapist after a long successful stint in the business world. This seems to add a level of groundedness that can be lacking in parts of the psychedelic community.
He grew up a bit of a hippie and had always dreamed of working with psychedelics, but decided to go into business. He did a lot of pretty interesting work in A.I. and moved up the corporate ladder quickly. Then decades later he decided to drop acid in his apartment, which would change the trajectory of his career. His first returning acid trip was pretty interesting. He had a vision of how at his core he was completely pure, and surrounding that was his sort of learned neurons. When he attempted to changed the neurons they recoiled and pulled back. Instead he gently massaged them and the molded toward the love. I found this to be pretty compelling imagery of how forced change rarely works, and it definitely left a lasting impression on the author.
He goes on to tell of some engaging harm reduction work that he did at Burning Man working the Sanctuary tent. But the most enlightening was his own trip at the festival with an experienced guide. There are some guides/therapists/shamans that will work to optimize one's trip toward healing. Neal located one of these and decided to give it a try. One of his contentions throughout the book was that people often seem to make a lot of progress in psychedelic therapy, only to see it wash away months later. This guide assured him that wouldn't be the case. He proceeds to take a heavy dose of LSD and then the guide asks him what his deepest ailment is. Being a therapist Neal is already keenly aware of what his early trauma is caused by. Once he enters a deep trip the guide tells him to go there. He is initially repulsed by the idea but the guide demands it. Neal proceeds to completely re-experience his early trauma in vivid detail for the next while. After he comes out of it he is somewhat confused as to why the guide would make him live it all over again, to which he responds that he survived and is now stronger for it. Neal describes this experience as having the most lasting effect he has ever seen. He claims it completely rid him of his pain to this day.
While I feel that these could be potentially dangerous methods, the result seems somewhat undeniable in his case. Definitely echo's that of a kind of exposure therapy, but perhaps the LSD provides the plasticity to really effect change. Either way it is a largely unexplored topic that seems to hold a lot of possibilities.
Neal wraps up the book discussing the state of legality of psychedelics and how the government should allow studies to be conducted on them. This seems like a no brainer, almost all of the studies that have been conducted show positive results, so I don't see any reason to not allow it. But a lot of people still view them as dangerous, so I suppose we have a ways to go in the education department.
If your looking for a grounded reflection on psychedelic therapy, check this one out.
He grew up a bit of a hippie and had always dreamed of working with psychedelics, but decided to go into business. He did a lot of pretty interesting work in A.I. and moved up the corporate ladder quickly. Then decades later he decided to drop acid in his apartment, which would change the trajectory of his career. His first returning acid trip was pretty interesting. He had a vision of how at his core he was completely pure, and surrounding that was his sort of learned neurons. When he attempted to changed the neurons they recoiled and pulled back. Instead he gently massaged them and the molded toward the love. I found this to be pretty compelling imagery of how forced change rarely works, and it definitely left a lasting impression on the author.
He goes on to tell of some engaging harm reduction work that he did at Burning Man working the Sanctuary tent. But the most enlightening was his own trip at the festival with an experienced guide. There are some guides/therapists/shamans that will work to optimize one's trip toward healing. Neal located one of these and decided to give it a try. One of his contentions throughout the book was that people often seem to make a lot of progress in psychedelic therapy, only to see it wash away months later. This guide assured him that wouldn't be the case. He proceeds to take a heavy dose of LSD and then the guide asks him what his deepest ailment is. Being a therapist Neal is already keenly aware of what his early trauma is caused by. Once he enters a deep trip the guide tells him to go there. He is initially repulsed by the idea but the guide demands it. Neal proceeds to completely re-experience his early trauma in vivid detail for the next while. After he comes out of it he is somewhat confused as to why the guide would make him live it all over again, to which he responds that he survived and is now stronger for it. Neal describes this experience as having the most lasting effect he has ever seen. He claims it completely rid him of his pain to this day.
While I feel that these could be potentially dangerous methods, the result seems somewhat undeniable in his case. Definitely echo's that of a kind of exposure therapy, but perhaps the LSD provides the plasticity to really effect change. Either way it is a largely unexplored topic that seems to hold a lot of possibilities.
Neal wraps up the book discussing the state of legality of psychedelics and how the government should allow studies to be conducted on them. This seems like a no brainer, almost all of the studies that have been conducted show positive results, so I don't see any reason to not allow it. But a lot of people still view them as dangerous, so I suppose we have a ways to go in the education department.
If your looking for a grounded reflection on psychedelic therapy, check this one out.
March 8, 2011
A timely book, with especially good coverage of questions such as "Is fundamental personality change possible?" and "Can psychedelics provide lasting change?" Four stars, however, for the lack of any mention of Salvia Divinorum.
April 24, 2011
This dude makes major points as to why government shouldn't keep us from experiencing what plants have to teach.
March 15, 2022
Entheogen- manifesting God within
The desired clinical effect comes through a spiritual experience
Biggest contraindication to is immaturity
Indigenous societies initiate the young to the psych experience within a social support network
Acceptance is a better goal than transformation
Love is the fundamental solution to your problems
The only problem is the sense that you have problems
At our core we are perfect
Our personality is an acquired defensive strategy
“I am not qualified to do psychedelic therapy”
The word hallucinogen is a misnomer, they rarely produce sensory experiences that have no basis in reality. Sensorily they may distort perception.
Deliriant’s from the nightshade family can produce true hallucinations. They are acetylcholines, they are the witchy herbs, can create a sense of flying and make a gal aroused.
Norepinephrine psychedelics are stimulating and include phenethylamines - mescaline, MDMA.
Tryptamines work on the serotonin system- lsd, psilocybin
Author tripped once a mo w 3 g pc alone in silence, “going to the ground of being”.
Normal development has been pathologized
Psilocybin can treat the ill as well as better the well
We begin w a need for love, when unfulfilled we become anxious and skeptical. The baby needs to please the 2 gods in its life, because its born so vulnerable, its fatal if it cant, so they adapt and do anything to win the love of the gods.
Go to the source of your earliest childhood trauma or neglect, open the door, go to the basement, their are no monsters there, only a hurt kid. Go toward it with strength and love in your heart. Invite him upstairs, tell him he is accepted.
Our personality it not our true self, it is strategic, it developed to get approval (ersatz love)
Relationships are dyads seeking balance, either by dominant and submissive or even 2 similar folk- in both cases, balance is sought
We dont seek the opposite of our parents in our spouse, we seek a spouse who is the parent we can change and who will voice acceptance of us. But it doesnt work, we have to be the source of our own self acceptance.
Disidentify w the personality and identify w the core self, then our will emerges, not a thinking will, but a will from our whole self- this is enlightenment, releasing this will originating from your core
Quiet the mind and hear the human mycelium underneath
Psychology should be abt nurturing spiritual maturation, not medication supposed neurosis
(Exceptions are biological based disorders - OCD, Schitz). Neurosis cant be pathologies or they would have been weeded out of the population, they serve developmental purposes and engender wisdom
The desire to change is part of the problem, simply be. Accept the totality of yourself. Allow yourself to unfold. Psychs can reveal tour true self to your self.
Dogs dont freak out after they have lost a leg.
LSD is stronger and more directive, psilocybin is softer and easier to handle
People disposed to schizophrenia will have an onset 2 yrs earlier if exposed to psychedelics
Mdma removes fear, anger, resentment. Long term use may cognitively impair and make one less empathetic. Raves are attempts to make rites of passage. The developmentally deconstruct and reconstruct.
Dmt is not orally active unless you take an MAOI (typically harmine)
People who have profound mystical experiences tend to quit vices. Does it interrupt a loop? Offer a perspective that rended the pleasures of the vice meaningless?
Set is more important than setting. If sincere openess to whatever is encountered is their, a positive experience os more likely. If you are trying to avoid issues, the stress of the avoidance can influence the nature of the experience. Which is its own lesson to learn from. At a full dose, an attempt to hold back anything can cause considerable emotional stress.
The subject at minimum needs to be in touch with their inner issues
Huxley called the psychedelic experience a “grace. No strings attached or reasons”. - But it will fade like an unrooted flower if without foundation to receive it or intention to nurture it
Wasson says everone is disqualified to teach regarding w the psychedelic. You are biased if you have or havent had it.
Schedule 1 drug means high potential for abuse and no medical value
Part of the physical cancer pain is displaced fear of death.
Psychedelic treatment may be more like periodic insulin model. Penicillin doesnt work in one dose but isnt prescribed indefinitely either
Staces mystical experience: unitive consciousness, nonspatial, nontemporal, sense of objectivity to the experience, blessedness, sacredness, ineffable
You cant fight your way to the subconscious, you have to lovingly offer your hand for it to smell and come out.
The strategic personality is like memory metal that forms, softens, but returns to that state under pressure
“Since it is illegal, it is unethical to provide psychedelic therapy”
Mdma allows one to spelunk into the psychological catacombs without fear
re-experience the babies pain without the fear, knowing you are loved by the adult in you
Striving for change will not achieve change. Just develop naturally, like a baby that is allowed to crawl and walk when they are ready
Catharsis is bringing the unconscious to the conscious
We are incarnated energy
To help w a difficult experience:
Offer to sit with them
Just be there, try to see through their eyes
Change setting
Ask if they want a hug
Tell them it wont last forever
Let the substance run its course
Breathe with them
Ensure them nothing will happen to their body
Put bare feet on the ground
Make eye contact
Ensure them that everything seems ok from your perspective
The desired clinical effect comes through a spiritual experience
Biggest contraindication to is immaturity
Indigenous societies initiate the young to the psych experience within a social support network
Acceptance is a better goal than transformation
Love is the fundamental solution to your problems
The only problem is the sense that you have problems
At our core we are perfect
Our personality is an acquired defensive strategy
“I am not qualified to do psychedelic therapy”
The word hallucinogen is a misnomer, they rarely produce sensory experiences that have no basis in reality. Sensorily they may distort perception.
Deliriant’s from the nightshade family can produce true hallucinations. They are acetylcholines, they are the witchy herbs, can create a sense of flying and make a gal aroused.
Norepinephrine psychedelics are stimulating and include phenethylamines - mescaline, MDMA.
Tryptamines work on the serotonin system- lsd, psilocybin
Author tripped once a mo w 3 g pc alone in silence, “going to the ground of being”.
Normal development has been pathologized
Psilocybin can treat the ill as well as better the well
We begin w a need for love, when unfulfilled we become anxious and skeptical. The baby needs to please the 2 gods in its life, because its born so vulnerable, its fatal if it cant, so they adapt and do anything to win the love of the gods.
Go to the source of your earliest childhood trauma or neglect, open the door, go to the basement, their are no monsters there, only a hurt kid. Go toward it with strength and love in your heart. Invite him upstairs, tell him he is accepted.
Our personality it not our true self, it is strategic, it developed to get approval (ersatz love)
Relationships are dyads seeking balance, either by dominant and submissive or even 2 similar folk- in both cases, balance is sought
We dont seek the opposite of our parents in our spouse, we seek a spouse who is the parent we can change and who will voice acceptance of us. But it doesnt work, we have to be the source of our own self acceptance.
Disidentify w the personality and identify w the core self, then our will emerges, not a thinking will, but a will from our whole self- this is enlightenment, releasing this will originating from your core
Quiet the mind and hear the human mycelium underneath
Psychology should be abt nurturing spiritual maturation, not medication supposed neurosis
(Exceptions are biological based disorders - OCD, Schitz). Neurosis cant be pathologies or they would have been weeded out of the population, they serve developmental purposes and engender wisdom
The desire to change is part of the problem, simply be. Accept the totality of yourself. Allow yourself to unfold. Psychs can reveal tour true self to your self.
Dogs dont freak out after they have lost a leg.
LSD is stronger and more directive, psilocybin is softer and easier to handle
People disposed to schizophrenia will have an onset 2 yrs earlier if exposed to psychedelics
Mdma removes fear, anger, resentment. Long term use may cognitively impair and make one less empathetic. Raves are attempts to make rites of passage. The developmentally deconstruct and reconstruct.
Dmt is not orally active unless you take an MAOI (typically harmine)
People who have profound mystical experiences tend to quit vices. Does it interrupt a loop? Offer a perspective that rended the pleasures of the vice meaningless?
Set is more important than setting. If sincere openess to whatever is encountered is their, a positive experience os more likely. If you are trying to avoid issues, the stress of the avoidance can influence the nature of the experience. Which is its own lesson to learn from. At a full dose, an attempt to hold back anything can cause considerable emotional stress.
The subject at minimum needs to be in touch with their inner issues
Huxley called the psychedelic experience a “grace. No strings attached or reasons”. - But it will fade like an unrooted flower if without foundation to receive it or intention to nurture it
Wasson says everone is disqualified to teach regarding w the psychedelic. You are biased if you have or havent had it.
Schedule 1 drug means high potential for abuse and no medical value
Part of the physical cancer pain is displaced fear of death.
Psychedelic treatment may be more like periodic insulin model. Penicillin doesnt work in one dose but isnt prescribed indefinitely either
Staces mystical experience: unitive consciousness, nonspatial, nontemporal, sense of objectivity to the experience, blessedness, sacredness, ineffable
You cant fight your way to the subconscious, you have to lovingly offer your hand for it to smell and come out.
The strategic personality is like memory metal that forms, softens, but returns to that state under pressure
“Since it is illegal, it is unethical to provide psychedelic therapy”
Mdma allows one to spelunk into the psychological catacombs without fear
re-experience the babies pain without the fear, knowing you are loved by the adult in you
Striving for change will not achieve change. Just develop naturally, like a baby that is allowed to crawl and walk when they are ready
Catharsis is bringing the unconscious to the conscious
We are incarnated energy
To help w a difficult experience:
Offer to sit with them
Just be there, try to see through their eyes
Change setting
Ask if they want a hug
Tell them it wont last forever
Let the substance run its course
Breathe with them
Ensure them nothing will happen to their body
Put bare feet on the ground
Make eye contact
Ensure them that everything seems ok from your perspective
January 16, 2020
A great foundation for anyone looking to do some reading on psychedelics and how they can help.
August 30, 2020
A fine book, but there are many that are very similar and much better. I’d go for Acid Test or How to Change Your Mind.
October 5, 2021
3.5 stars
January 7, 2024
This dude makes major points as to why government shouldn't keep us from experiencing what plants have to teach.
April 21, 2017
I first learned of Neal Goldsmith while attending this year's Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics conference in New York City. He did an excellent job as speaker curator and emcee at the event, cultivating an impressive collection of psychedelic speakers and helping the group to stay focused during the Q&A sessions. I decided to purchase his book "Psychedelic Healing: The Promise of Entheogens for Psychotherapy and Spiritual Development" during the last day of the conference. I am very glad that I did, because it turns out that it is one of the best books I have read all year.
The book's introduction includes a set of inquiries that led to the writing of the book. These questions include "Can psychedelic therapy trigger immediate transformative change in novel areas?", "How should psychedelics be rescheduled?", and "Can psychedelics provide lasting change?" Each question is addressed later on in the book in an objective and honest manner. Following the introduction, Goldsmith gives a detailed and respectable personal history, including an entertaining story about a later-in-life LSD trip.
Goldsmith explores the plausibility of fundamental personality change, gives a detailed history of psychedelic research, provides ten lessons of psychedelic therapy, and discusses implications for the future. He puts forth suggestions about how we can work to change drug laws, offers personal stories of difficult experiences at Burning Man, and provides guidelines for safe and effective psychedelic journeys. Goldsmith includes an amazing recommended reading list at the end of the book.
This book is well-written and was a joy for me to read. I would rate it right up there with James Fadiman's "Psychedelic Explorer's Guide." There is a bit of overlap with Fadiman's book in regard to the advice given for trippers and sitters (or voyagers and guides). However, each book has its own set of investigated topics and unique personality. I really appreciate the explanation of what psychedelic (and psycholytic) therapies are, and these are the primary focuses in "Psychedelic Healing." The one criticism I would have is that some concepts are repeated a bit too much for my taste, but I bet those are the concepts that I will remember best, so perhaps that is an intentional effect. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in psychedelics or healing.
The book's introduction includes a set of inquiries that led to the writing of the book. These questions include "Can psychedelic therapy trigger immediate transformative change in novel areas?", "How should psychedelics be rescheduled?", and "Can psychedelics provide lasting change?" Each question is addressed later on in the book in an objective and honest manner. Following the introduction, Goldsmith gives a detailed and respectable personal history, including an entertaining story about a later-in-life LSD trip.
Goldsmith explores the plausibility of fundamental personality change, gives a detailed history of psychedelic research, provides ten lessons of psychedelic therapy, and discusses implications for the future. He puts forth suggestions about how we can work to change drug laws, offers personal stories of difficult experiences at Burning Man, and provides guidelines for safe and effective psychedelic journeys. Goldsmith includes an amazing recommended reading list at the end of the book.
This book is well-written and was a joy for me to read. I would rate it right up there with James Fadiman's "Psychedelic Explorer's Guide." There is a bit of overlap with Fadiman's book in regard to the advice given for trippers and sitters (or voyagers and guides). However, each book has its own set of investigated topics and unique personality. I really appreciate the explanation of what psychedelic (and psycholytic) therapies are, and these are the primary focuses in "Psychedelic Healing." The one criticism I would have is that some concepts are repeated a bit too much for my taste, but I bet those are the concepts that I will remember best, so perhaps that is an intentional effect. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in psychedelics or healing.
March 28, 2015
Much better than expected, the author gives valid points and presents them in honest and convincing ways. He simply presents alot of the questions that those against the legalization of certain psychedelics have, and answers them in a easy-to-understand fashion. He isn't saying they are perfect and have no side-effects, but that rather they can be used for good and for growth, and there just needs to be more research available on the subject.
December 8, 2012
Worth sharing with parents and friends. A great overview of the field with important insights worth integrating into ones life about personality formation and forgiveness.
May 5, 2014
Great Book. Had a very influential role on the development of my research into consciousness and psychedelics.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews