20 Best Books On Psychedelics (2023 Update)

Psychedelics for spiritual, therapeutic, and problem-solving use – presents practices for safe and successful psychedelic voyages, including the benefits of having a guide and how to be a guide – reviews the value of psychedelics for healing and self-discovery as well as how lsd has facilitated scientific and technical problem-solving – reveals how microdosing (ultra-low doses) improve cognitive functioning, emotional balance, and physical stamina – this year 600,000 people in the u.s. alone will try lsd for the the first time, joining the 23 million who have already experimented with this substance called “america’s wisest and most respected authority on psychedelics and their use,” james fadiman has been involved with psychedelic research since the 1960s. in this guide to the immediate and long-term effects of psychedelic use for spiritual (high dose), therapeutic (moderate dose), and problem-solving (low dose and microdose) purposes, fadiman outlines best practices for safe, sacred entheogenic voyages learned through his more than 40 years of experience–from the benefits of having a sensitive guide during a session (and how to be one) to the importance of the setting and pre-session intention. fadiman reviews the newest as well as the neglected research into the psychotherapeutic value of visionary drug use for increased personal awareness and a host of serious medical conditions, including his recent study of the reasons for and results of psychedelic use among hundreds of students and professionals. he reveals new uses for lsd and other psychedelics, including microdosing, extremely low doses for improved cognitive functioning and emotional balance. exploring the life-changing experiences of ram dass, timothy leary, aldous huxley, and huston smith as well as francis crick and steve jobs, fadiman shows how psychedelics, used wisely, can lead not only to healing but also to scientific breakthroughs and spiritual epiphanies.

With contributions by albert hofmann, huston smith, stanislav grof, charles tart, alexander “sasha” shulgin, brother david steindl-rast, myron stolaroff, and many others, this book explores protocols for ceremonial and spiritual use of psychedelics, including lsd, psilocybin, ayahuasca, and mdma, and the challenges of transforming entheogenic insights into enduring change. it examines psychoactive sacraments in the bible, myths surrounding the use of lsd, and the transformative ayahuasca rituals of santo daime. the book also includes personal accounts of walter pahnke’s good friday experiment as well as a 25-year follow-up with its participants. dispelling fears of inauthentic spirituality, addiction, and ill-prepared encounters with the holy, this book reveals the potential of psychedelics as catalysts for spiritual development, a path through which faith can directly encounter god’s power, and the beginning of a new religious era based on personal spiritual experience.

An italian ethnobotanist explores the remarkable propensity of wild animals to seek out and use psychoactive substances. – throws out behaviorist theories that claim animals have no consciousness. – offers a completely new understanding of the role psychedelics play in the development of consciousness in all species. – reveals drug use to be a natural instinct. from caffeine-dependent goats to nectar addicted ants, the animal kingdom offers amazing examples of wild animals and insects seeking out and consuming the psychoactive substances in their environments. author giorgio samorini explores this little-known phenomenon and suggests that, far from being confined to humans, the desire to experience altered states of consciousness is a natural drive shared by all living beings and that animals engage in these behaviors deliberately. rejecting the western cultural assumption that using drugs is a negative action or the result of an illness, samorini opens our eyes to the possibility that beings who consume psychedelics–whether humans or animals–contribute to the evolution of their species by creating entirely new patterns of behavior that eventually will be adopted by other members of that species. the author's fascinating accounts of mushroom-loving reindeer, intoxicated birds, and drunken elephants ensure that readers will never view the animal world in quite the same way again.

Reveals evidence of visionary plants in christianity and the life of jesus found in medieval art and biblical scripture–hidden in plain sight for centuries – follows the authors’ anthropological adventure discovering sacred mushroom images in european and middle eastern churches, including roslyn chapel and chartres – provides color photos showing how r. gordon wasson’s psychedelic theory of religion clearly extends to christianity and reveals why wasson suppressed this information due to his secret relationship with the vatican – examines the bible and the gnostic gospels to show that visionary plants were the catalyst for jesus’s awakening to his divinity and immortalitythroughout medieval christianity, religious works of art emerged to illustrate the teachings of the bible for the largely illiterate population. what, then, is the significance of the psychoactive mushrooms hiding in plain sight in the artwork and icons of many european and middle-eastern churches? does christianity have a psychedelic history? providing stunning visual evidence from their anthropological journey throughout europe and the middle east, including visits to roslyn chapel and chartres cathedral, authors julie and jerry brown document the role of visionary plants in christianity. they retrace the pioneering research of r. gordon wasson, the famous “sacred mushroom seeker,” on psychedelics in ancient greece and india, and among the present-day reindeer herders of siberia and the mazatecs of mexico. challenging wasson’s legacy, the authors reveal his secret relationship with the vatican that led to wasson’s refusal to pursue his hallucinogen theory into the hallowed halls of christianity.examining the bible and the gnostic gospels, the authors provide scriptural support to show that sacred mushrooms were the inspiration for jesus’ revelation of the kingdom of heaven and that he was initiated into these mystical practices in egypt during the missing years.

This book is the story of how three brilliant scholars and one ambitious freshman crossed paths in the early sixties at a harvard-sponsored psychedelic-drug research project, transforming their lives and american culture and launching the mind/body/spirit movement that inspired the explosion of yoga classes, organic produce, and alternative medicine. the four men came together in a time of upheaval and experimentation, and their exploration of an expanded consciousness set the stage for the social, spiritual, sexual, and psychological revolution of the 1960s. timothy leary would be the rebellious trickster, the premier proponent of the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of lsd, advising a generation to "turn on, tune in, and drop out." richard alpert would be the seeker, traveling to india and returning to america as ram dass, reborn as a spiritual leader with his "be here now" mantra, inspiring a restless army of spiritual pilgrims. huston smith would be the teacher, practicing every world religion, introducing the dalai lama to the west, and educating generations of americans to adopt a more tolerant, inclusive attitude toward other cultures' beliefs. and young andrew weil would be the healer, becoming the undisputed leader of alternative medicine, devoting his life to the holistic reformation of the american health care system. it was meant to be a time of joy, of peace, and of love, but behind the scenes lurked backstabbing, jealousy, and outright betrayal.

Learn everything you need to know about psychedelics with this ultimate guide packed with information on popular psychedelic drugs like psilocybin, ketamine, mdma, dmt and lsd—plus practical tips for microdosing and how to safely "trip"—from bestselling author dr. entering the world of psychedelic drugs can be challenging, and many aren’t sure where to start. as research continues to expand and legalization looms on the horizon for psychedelics like psilocybin, you may need a guide to navigate what psychedelics are, how they work, and their potential benefits and risks. the psychedelic handbook is a complete manual that is accessible to anyone with an interest in these “mind-manifesting” substances. clinical research psychiatrist, founding figure of the american psychedelic research renaissance, and best-selling author of dmt: the spirit molecule, dr. rick strassman shares his experience and perspectives as neither advocate nor foe of psychedelics in order to help readers understand the effects of these remarkable drugs.

Learn everything you need to know about psychedelics with this ultimate guide packed with information on popular psychedelic drugs like psilocybin, ketamine, mdma, dmt and lsd—plus practical tips for microdosing and how to safely "trip"—from bestselling author dr. entering the world of psychedelic drugs can be challenging, and many aren’t sure where to start. as research continues to expand and legalization looms on the horizon for psychedelics like psilocybin, you may need a guide to navigate what psychedelics are, how they work, and their potential benefits and risks. the psychedelic handbook is a complete manual that is accessible to anyone with an interest in these “mind-manifesting” substances. clinical research psychiatrist, founding figure of the american psychedelic research renaissance, and best-selling author of dmt: the spirit molecule, dr. rick strassman shares his experience and perspectives as neither advocate nor foe of psychedelics in order to help readers understand the effects of these remarkable drugs.

The no. 1 new york times bestseller, now a major new netflix series 'reminds us that the mind is the greatest mystery in the universe' yuval noah harari, guardian, books of the year could psychedelic drugs change our worldview? join michael pollan on a journey to the frontiers of the human mind. diving deep into an extraordinary world – from shamans and magic mushroom hunts to the pioneering labs mapping our brains – and putting himself forward as a guinea-pig, michael pollan has written a remarkable history of psychedelics and a compelling portrait of the new generation of scientists fascinated by the implications of these drugs. how to change your mind is a report from what could very well be the future of consciousness. 'a sweeping and often thrilling chronicle of the history of psychedelics, all interwoven with pollan's adventures as a psychedelic novice. this is a serious work of history and science, but also one in which the author, under the influence of toad venom, becomes convinced he's giving birth to himself' oliver burkeman, guardian 'a mind-altering book … full of transformations' richard godwin, evening standard 'an irresistible blend of history, research and personal experience. in terms of the psychedelic wave, the book is the big kahuna, the big bang moment for a movement that is gathering force' john mckenna, irish times 'entertaining and engrossing' paul laity, financial times 'deeply absorbing, wise and beautifully written' mick brown, literary review 'an astounding book' andrew sullivan, new york magazine

Out-of-print for years, and impossible to find psychedelic chemistry includes marijuana thc and analogs, magic mushrooms and other indole trips, mescaline and friends, harmaline and other beta-carbolines, muscimole and other isoxazoles, lsd, cocaine, miscellaneous psychedelics, literature and chemical information, miscellany on underground laboratories, role of the dea labs in drug busts . . . and more! psychedelic chemistry is the biggest, best and most complete book every written on how to make psychedelic drugs. the most complete book ever written on how to manufacture psychedelic drugs. requires thorough knowledge of lab techniques in organic chemistry.

Getting higher is a manual for exploring the use of psychedelic substances in the contexts of spirituality, self-transformation and magic. it is the psychonaut's essential guide.

This book is a comprehensive overview of scientific data on microdosing and minidosing psychedelic substances. the author evaluates microdosing in relation to what is known about psychedelics, their pharmacology, effects, mechanism of action, tolerance, possible side effects and more. it includes many studies which have never before been translated into english, and are presented here for the first time

In 1943 a swiss chemist accidentally ingested the experimental compound lsd. the psychedelic revolution that followed is now mostly associated with pop culture, but the use of mind-altering drugs – and the belief in their transformative powers – was pioneered by scientists, psychiatrists, philosophers and writers. first published in 1965, this collection of essays by figures as diverse as timothy leary, julian huxley and ralph metzner recaptures that moment.

Explores the potential of psychedelics as medicine and the intersections of politics, science, and psychedelics – explores the tumultuous history of psychedelic research, the efforts to restore psychedelic therapies, and the links between psychiatric drugs and mental illness – offers non-technical summaries of the most recent, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with mdma, psilocybin, lsd, and ayahuasca – includes the work of rick doblin, stanislav grof, james fadiman, julie holland, dennis mckenna, david nichols, charles grob, phil wolfson, michael and annie mithoefer, roland griffiths, katherine maclean, and robert whitaker embracing the revival of psychedelic research and the discovery of new therapeutic uses, clinical psychologist dr. richard louis miller discusses what is happening today in psychedelic medicine–and what will happen in the future–with top researchers and thinkers in this field, including rick doblin, stanislav grof, james fadiman, julie holland, dennis mckenna, david nichols, charles grob, phil wolfson, michael and annie mithoefer, roland griffiths, katherine maclean, and robert whitaker. miller and his contributors cover the tumultuous history of early psychedelic research brought to a halt 50 years ago by the u.s. government as well as offering non-technical summaries of the most recent studies with mdma, psilocybin, lsd, and ayahuasca. they explore the biochemistry of consciousness and the use of psychedelics for self-discovery and healing. they discuss the use of psilocybin for releasing fear in the terminally ill and the potential for mdma-assisted psychotherapy in the treatment of ptsd. they examine dr. charles grob’s research on the indigenous use and therapeutic properties of ayahuasca and dr. gabor mate’s attempt to transport this plant medicine to a clinical setting with the help of canada’s department of national health. miller and his contributors explore the ongoing efforts to restore psychedelic therapies to the health field, the growing threat of overmedication by the pharmaceutical industry, and the links between psychiatric drugs and mental illness. they also discuss the newly shifting political climate and the push for new research, offering hope for an end to the war on drugs and a potential renaissance of research into psychedelic medicines around the world.

Explores the potential of psychedelics as medicine and the intersections of politics, science, and psychedelics – explores the tumultuous history of psychedelic research, the efforts to restore psychedelic therapies, and the links between psychiatric drugs and mental illness – offers non-technical summaries of the most recent, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with mdma, psilocybin, lsd, and ayahuasca – includes the work of rick doblin, stanislav grof, james fadiman, julie holland, dennis mckenna, david nichols, charles grob, phil wolfson, michael and annie mithoefer, roland griffiths, katherine maclean, and robert whitaker embracing the revival of psychedelic research and the discovery of new therapeutic uses, clinical psychologist dr. richard louis miller discusses what is happening today in psychedelic medicine–and what will happen in the future–with top researchers and thinkers in this field, including rick doblin, stanislav grof, james fadiman, julie holland, dennis mckenna, david nichols, charles grob, phil wolfson, michael and annie mithoefer, roland griffiths, katherine maclean, and robert whitaker. miller and his contributors cover the tumultuous history of early psychedelic research brought to a halt 50 years ago by the u.s. government as well as offering non-technical summaries of the most recent studies with mdma, psilocybin, lsd, and ayahuasca. they explore the biochemistry of consciousness and the use of psychedelics for self-discovery and healing. they discuss the use of psilocybin for releasing fear in the terminally ill and the potential for mdma-assisted psychotherapy in the treatment of ptsd. they examine dr. charles grob’s research on the indigenous use and therapeutic properties of ayahuasca and dr. gabor mate’s attempt to transport this plant medicine to a clinical setting with the help of canada’s department of national health. miller and his contributors explore the ongoing efforts to restore psychedelic therapies to the health field, the growing threat of overmedication by the pharmaceutical industry, and the links between psychiatric drugs and mental illness. they also discuss the newly shifting political climate and the push for new research, offering hope for an end to the war on drugs and a potential renaissance of research into psychedelic medicines around the world.

An investigation into experiences of other realms of existence and contact with otherworldly beings – examines how contact with alien life-forms can be obtained through the “inner space” dimensions of our minds – presents evidence that other worlds experienced through consciousness-altering technologies are often as real as those perceived with our five senses – correlates science fiction’s imaginal realms with psychedelic research for thousands of years, voyagers of inner space–spiritual seekers, shamans, and psychoactive drug users–have returned from their inner imaginal travels reporting encounters with alien intelligences. based on their more than 60 combined years of research into the function of the brain, the authors reveal how psychoactive substances such as dmt allow the brain to bypass our five basic senses to unlock a multidimensional realm of existence where otherworldly communication occurs. they contend that our centuries-old search for alien life-forms has been misdirected and that the alien worlds reflected in visionary science fiction actually mirror the inner space world of our minds. the authors show that these “alien” worlds encountered through altered states of human awareness, either through the use of psychedelics or other methods, possess a sense of reality as great as, or greater than, those of the ordinary awareness perceived by our five senses.

One of the most important books written on the effects of lsd on the human psyche. – its authoritative research has great relevance to the current debate on drug legalization. – prolific authors robert masters and jean houston are pioneer figures in the field of transpersonal psychology and founders of the human potentials movement. the varieties of psychedelic experience was published in 1966, just as the first legal restrictions on the use of psychedelic substances were being enacted. unfortunately, the authors' pioneering work on the effects of lsd on the human psyche, which was viewed by its participants as possibly heralding a revolution in the study of the mind, was among the casualties of this interdiction. as a result, the promising results to which their studies attested were never fully explored. nevertheless, their 15 years of research represents a sober and authoritative appraisal of what remains one of the most controversial developments in the study of the human psyche. avoiding the wild excesses taken by both sides on this issue, this book is unique for the light it sheds on the possibilities and the limitations of psychedelic drugs, as well as on the techniques for working with them. with drug legalization an increasingly important issue, the varieties of psychedelic experience provides a welcome and much needed contrast to the current hysteria that surrounds this topic.

"recent clinical trials show that psychedelics such as lsd and psilocybin can be given safely in controlled conditions, and can cause lasting psychological benefits with one or two administrations. supervised psychedelic sessions can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and addiction, and improve well-being in healthy volunteers, for months or even years. but these benefits seem to be mediated by "mystical" experiences of cosmic consciousness, which prompts a philosophical concern: do psychedelics cause psychological benefits by inducing false or implausible beliefs about the metaphysical nature of reality? this book is the first scholarly monograph in english devoted to the philosophical analysis of psychedelic drugs. its central focus is the apparent conflict between the growing use of psychedelics in psychiatry and the philosophical worldview of naturalism. within the book, letheby integrates empirical evidence and philosophical considerations in the service of a simple conclusion: this "comforting delusion objection" to psychedelic therapy fails. while exotic metaphysical ideas do sometimes come up, they are not, on closer inspection, the central driver of change in psychedelic therapy. psychedelics lead to lasting benefits by altering the sense of self, and changing how people relate to their own minds and lives-not by changing their beliefs about the ultimate nature of reality. the upshot is that a traditional conception of psychedelics as agents of insight and spirituality can be reconciled with naturalism (the philosophical position that the natural world is all there is). controlled psychedelic use can lead to genuine forms of knowledge gain and spiritual growth-even if no cosmic consciousness or transcendent divine reality exists. philosophy of psychedelics is an indispensable guide to the literature for researchers already engaged in the field of psychedelic psychiatry, and for researchers-especially philosophers-who want to become acquainted with this increasingly topical field." — publisher's description

Few events have had a more profound impact on the social and cultural upheavals of the sixties than the psychedelic revolution spawned by the spread of lsd. this book for the first time tells the full and astounding story–part of it hidden till now in secret government files–of the role the mind-altering drug played in our recent turbulent history and the continuing influence it has on our time. and what a story it is, beginning with lsd''s discovery in 1943 as the most potent drug known to science until it spilled into public view some twenty years later to set the stage for one of the great ideological wars of the decade. in the intervening years the cia had launched a massive covert research program in the hope that lsd would serve as an espionage weapon, psychiatric pioneers came to believe that acid would shed light on the perplexing problems of mental illness, and a new generation of writers and artists had given birth to the lsd sub-culture. acid dreams is a complete social history of the psychedelic counter-culture that burst into full view in the sixties. with new information obtained through the freedom of information act, the authors reveal how the cia became obsessed with lsd during the cold war, fearing the soviets had designs on it as well. what follows is one of the more bizarre episodes in the covert history of u.s. intelligence as the search for a "truth drug" began to resemble a james bond scenario in which agents spied on drug-addicted prostitutes through two-way mirrors and countless unwitting citizens received acid with sometimes tragic results. the story took a new turn when captain al hubbard, the first of a series of "johnny appleseeds" of acid, began to turn on thousands of scientists, businessmen, church figures, policemen, and others from different walks of life. timothy leary, ken kesey and his band of merry pranksters, allen ginsberg and the beat generation, the diggers and the age of golden anarchy in haight-ashbury, william mellon hitchcock, abbie hoffman and the yippies, the beatles–these are just some of a motley cast of characters who stride through the pages of this compelling chronicle. what impact did the widespread use of lsd have on the anti-war movement of the late sixties? acid dreams traces the way the drug intensified each stage of counter-cultural transition to break the "mind-forged manacles" of a new generation in rebellion. in acid dreams, martin lee and bruce shalin have written the history of a time still only dimly understood. the events they recount and the facts they uncover supply an important missing piece of the puzzle of a crucial decade in our recent past. praise "engaging throughout. . . . at once entertaining and disturbing."–andrew weil, m.d., the nation "marvelously detailed . . . loaded with startling revelations."–los angeles daily news "excellent. . . . a generalist''s history that should replace all others."–san francisco chronicle "a landmark contribution to the sociopolitical history of the u.s. . . . some of the liveliest, most absorbing, best-documented historical analyses to appear in recent years. . . . a seminal contribution to understanding america''s most turbulent modern decade."–choice "this funny and irreverent book brings it all back."–the washington post "recounts some of the most bizarre incidents in the history of u.s. intelligence."–the boston globe "a monumental social history of psychedelia."–the village voice "a blistering exposé of cia drug experimentation on americans. it''s all there."–john stockwell "highly readable. . . . well researched. . . . filled with entertaining and bizarre episodes."–the detroit free press "an important study of cultural history. . . . the scholarship is exquisite and the methods sensible."–allen ginsberg "an engrossing account of a period . . . when a tiny psychoactive molecule affected almost every aspect of western life."–william s. burroughs "a missing link, a work of combat history, a devastating combination of facts and poetry that is bound to arouse controversy."–paul krassner "an important historical synthesis of the spread and effects of a drug that served as a central metaphor for an era."–john sayles

This volume brings together the latest basic and clinical research examining the effects and underlying mechanisms of psychedelic drugs. examples of drugs within this group include lsd, psilocybin, and mescaline. despite their structural differences, these compounds produce remarkably similar experiences in humans and share a common mechanism of action. commonalities among the substances in this family are addressed both at the clinical and phenomenological level and at the basic neurobiological mechanism level. to the extent possible, contributions relate the clinical and preclinical findings to one another across species. the volume addresses both the risks associated with the use of these drugs and the potential medical benefits that might be associated with these and related compounds.

In this book, john buchanan takes us on a journey through the early death of a parent, the ups and downs of addiction, the extraordinary revelations of psychedelic experiences, and the rewards of a sober and meaningful life. reflecting on these experiences, the author identifies five pivotal events that drove him to seek a deeper understanding of the significance of extraordinary experiences, the nature of mind and the universe, the meaning of life, and most generally to ask: what is reality? drawing on his wide-ranging studies and explorations, buchanan discusses the ideas that most influenced his search and led him to conclude that transpersonal psychology and process philosophy, especially as developed by stanislav grof and alfred north whitehead, offer the most satisfying answers. he presents in some detail the essence of grof's and whitehead's thought as it pertains to these basic questions about life and reality so that readers can appreciate these ideas for themselves. buchanan argues that taken together process thought and transpersonal theory offer the kind of enspirited worldview capable of providing both the necessary inspiration and the intellectual understanding for confronting the great challenges facing our world.