Publisher's Synopsis
Psychedelics: A Full Story comprises an extensively researched discussion of the major psychedelics: LSD, psilocybin (magic mushrooms), mescaline (peyote), DMT (ayahuasca), MDMA (ecstasy), ibogaine, and ketamine, and examines their historical and unique aspects as well as the most recent research. The colorful and controversial history of LSD is discussed from widespread and successful clinical use, little-know CIA projects, and serious personal exploration, to well-known controversial figures such as Timothy Leary. Reasons are examined for its sudden downfall from a position of esteem to one of fear and antipathy in the mind of the public. This discussion ranges from the history of these psychedelics to their potentials for healing and spiritual development, from their use among indigenous cultures to current researchers, from psychedelic drug explorations to questions about mind and consciousness. It includes in-depth discussion of the potential of psychedelics to address several challenges facing us today including mental health disorders and addictions, the shrinking of our understanding of mind to the physical and chemical processes in the brain, and our difficulties dealing with death and dying. New and profound insights about the human mind emerging from psychedelic experience and research are discussed as well as exploration of transpersonal and spiritual experiences involving the nature, range, and depth of consciousness, the reality of spirit, and the nature of reality. The story of psychedelics examines what recently has become an exciting new chapter. While their use was made illegal in the late 1960s and research ground to a halt, in the last few years there has been an explosion of psychedelic research primarily focused on the possibilities it holds for the treatment of mental illness and addiction.
