Psychology

The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys

The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys

  • Downloads：4360
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2021-09-05 09:55:21
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：James Fadiman
  • ISBN：1594774021
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
  • Download

Summary

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 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） 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 extremely low doses for improved cognitive functioning and emotional balance。 Cautioning that psychedelics are not for everyone， he dispels the myths and misperceptions about psychedelics circulating in textbooks and clinics as well as on the internet。 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。

Download

Reviews

Rohan Traman ，

If the thought of ever trying a psychedelic substance has interested you， please read this book prior to embarking on that special journey。 Fadimans book is not a recreational view on LSD and it's friends but rather an educational insight into what constitutes it， the empirical benefits from consuming them and why the world sooner than later needs to open up to it。 If the thought of ever trying a psychedelic substance has interested you， please read this book prior to embarking on that special journey。 Fadimans book is not a recreational view on LSD and it's friends but rather an educational insight into what constitutes it， the empirical benefits from consuming them and why the world sooner than later needs to open up to it。 。。。more

Aditya Asopa ，

Before reading this I was familiar with the experience of 'Bhaang'， and I wanted to know more about the other stuffs that have similar effects。 This book taught me a lot about such substances， their spiritual and mystical effects， the so called 'entheogenic experiences and voyages' and how dramatic changes can they bring into one's life， at all levels: mental， social， sexual， spiritual， philosophical and even physical。This book systematically describes the precautions， setups， dos and don'ts， st Before reading this I was familiar with the experience of 'Bhaang'， and I wanted to know more about the other stuffs that have similar effects。 This book taught me a lot about such substances， their spiritual and mystical effects， the so called 'entheogenic experiences and voyages' and how dramatic changes can they bring into one's life， at all levels: mental， social， sexual， spiritual， philosophical and even physical。This book systematically describes the precautions， setups， dos and don'ts， steps of such voyages and prepares the person for not only take such journeys but also assist others in them。There are numerous experiences detailed in the book through which various aspects， both good and bad， of these substances can be learnt。 I highly recommend going through this book once if you are considering any such experience or still haven't made up your mind about it。I am not surprised at all that even single doses of these substances are associated with so many changes in body and mind that can only be ascribed to them having an overall spiritually uplifting effect。 For ex。 users reported increased cooperation， decreased jealousy， increased satisfaction in work， more humility， less anxiety， vivid and coloured dreams， increased focus， deeper sleep and so on。 This is amazing and I sincerely hope that these things are not just accepted in the society but encouraged。Finally however， I must say that the structure of the book is not well arranged。 The information is oft repeated or scattered， all across the chapters， that themselves do not follow each other very well。 I listened to the audio book and it was difficult to keep a track of something that I heard in some chapter earlier。 Overall recommended。 。。。more

Phil Calandra ，

"The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide。。。。" dispels some of the myths promulgated about psychedelics during the course of the last 50 years。 Unfortunately psychedelics were declared illegal in the late 1960's and most research was stopped at this time。 It should be noted that before all civilian research was stopped， LSD was the most widely studied psychiatric drug in the world。 There are studies that have shown that there are clearly many benefits including improved mental acuity， creativity and in "The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide。。。。" dispels some of the myths promulgated about psychedelics during the course of the last 50 years。 Unfortunately psychedelics were declared illegal in the late 1960's and most research was stopped at this time。 It should be noted that before all civilian research was stopped， LSD was the most widely studied psychiatric drug in the world。 There are studies that have shown that there are clearly many benefits including improved mental acuity， creativity and in the health areas showing benefits in treating alcoholism， cluster headaches， PTSD and other conditions。 It should be noted that Francis Crick， a neuro scientist and molecular biologist， used small doses of LSD that helped him unravel the structure of DNA， the discovery that won him the Nobel Prize。 The author is one of the foremost pioneers of scientific research of psychedelics based on 40 years of experience dispelling misinformation over many decades。 I would highly recommend this book。 。。。more

Matthew ，

An essential guide I guess we all need to read just to have a common touchstone。 Amazing how deeply quoted this source is in all the current psychedelic journey texts — almost felt like I’d read it already 😂。 Fadiman lays out the principles of set， setting， guide （sitter）， and the reasoning and traditions behind all of it， in a way that prepares people and sets them up for success。

SomiadorElegit ，

Esta guía honestamente es más bien una bastante interesante compilación de estudios， experiencias e información relacionada con psicodélicos， con dos o tres capítulos de guía como tal。 Es un libro que no cumple para mí con lo que se espera de una guía， ya que ésta es tan solo una pequeña parte de él， pero de todas maneras es un libro bastante completo sobre todo el mundo de la investigación psicodélica， haciendo especialmente hincapé en las prometedoras revelaciones de la ciencia de los años 60， Esta guía honestamente es más bien una bastante interesante compilación de estudios， experiencias e información relacionada con psicodélicos， con dos o tres capítulos de guía como tal。 Es un libro que no cumple para mí con lo que se espera de una guía， ya que ésta es tan solo una pequeña parte de él， pero de todas maneras es un libro bastante completo sobre todo el mundo de la investigación psicodélica， haciendo especialmente hincapé en las prometedoras revelaciones de la ciencia de los años 60， antes de su prohibición。 James Fadiman deja muchas referencias además tanto a estudios， como webs y libros al respecto， con lo que se puede salir de esta lectura con una gran cantidad de material para continuar investigando sobre un mundo que recién hace algo más de una década está por fin reviviendo。 。。。more

Cody Lasko ，

This is a truly tremendous resource for anyone interested in the psychedelic experience for therapeutic or spiritual uses。 Fadiman breaks down the history of hallucinogenics and their potential to expand the human condition for the user wonderfully。 My only issue is how dated this work feels。 But that is less to do with the author and more to do with government clamp downs on any and all research with such substances。 Fadiman does his part to reinforce this， and also expresses a hope that one da This is a truly tremendous resource for anyone interested in the psychedelic experience for therapeutic or spiritual uses。 Fadiman breaks down the history of hallucinogenics and their potential to expand the human condition for the user wonderfully。 My only issue is how dated this work feels。 But that is less to do with the author and more to do with government clamp downs on any and all research with such substances。 Fadiman does his part to reinforce this， and also expresses a hope that one day there can be widespread acceptance and further studies done with such drugs。 Otherwise this is a spectacular work that does exactly what it sets out to do。 It informs potential users and guides on all the potential benefits， risks， and uses of different psychedelic substances。 And it does so in an easy to read and comprehensive manner。 This is a niche work meant for a very specific audience。 But it is fantastic for what it is。 。。。more

Ryan ，

Very thorough， research based information about psychedelics， their history， and possible future。 We've， on a whole， clearly handled them inappropriately in so many ways to-date。 We also clearly have a fairly solid body of knowledge about how they can be highly-effective in relieving several types of human suffering， including depression and PTSD， as well as help facilitate spiritual growth - another necessary aspect of a healthy， well-balanced life。 It's beyond time to follow the science and el Very thorough， research based information about psychedelics， their history， and possible future。 We've， on a whole， clearly handled them inappropriately in so many ways to-date。 We also clearly have a fairly solid body of knowledge about how they can be highly-effective in relieving several types of human suffering， including depression and PTSD， as well as help facilitate spiritual growth - another necessary aspect of a healthy， well-balanced life。 It's beyond time to follow the science and eliminate the unwarranted political fear around these substances。 。。。more

Tylee Britton ，

Very helpful

Mihai Cosmin ，

The book contains the necessary information for a beginner presented in a balanced manner， it also advocates for the legalisation of psychedelics for research purposes which is an addition to what the title promises。 Overall it is a golden resource for an often ignored subject with a great potential if used correctly。

Philip Fortuna ，

With sweeping FDA approval for clinical trials targeting depression， anorexia， ADHD and other major mental health conditions， it's interesting to look at further application of these potent psychoactive substances from researchers active before the War on Drugs started， and who are still up to date with the current Renaissance。 To treat both unwell folks for whom current pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions fall short， as well as boosting creativity among knowledge workers， Fadima With sweeping FDA approval for clinical trials targeting depression， anorexia， ADHD and other major mental health conditions， it's interesting to look at further application of these potent psychoactive substances from researchers active before the War on Drugs started， and who are still up to date with the current Renaissance。 To treat both unwell folks for whom current pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions fall short， as well as boosting creativity among knowledge workers， Fadiman's research is quite inspiring。 。。。more

Adam Rugnetta ，

It is a thorough look at the positive psychedelics。 Good information for guides or people hoping to have a sacred trip。 I'd imagine most recreational users or non academics will find it tiresome， but I enjoyed it。 It is a thorough look at the positive psychedelics。 Good information for guides or people hoping to have a sacred trip。 I'd imagine most recreational users or non academics will find it tiresome， but I enjoyed it。 。。。more

Andrei ，

Hea ülevaade LSD psühhiaatrilisest kasutusest valdkonna ühelt parimalt asjatundjalt ja sidemelt hipiajastu psühhonautide ning täna taas jõudsalt liberaliseeruva teadusmaailma vahel， mikrodoosimise eestkostjalt James Fedimanilt。 Algajatele sissejuhatuseks siiski ei soovita - Fediman lähtub valdavalt mitte rändaja， vaid rännujuhi seisukohast。 Mõningad väited astuvad mu maitsele liialt esoteerilisele territooriumile （nt mees- ja naisenergiaid puudutav）， aga üldiselt siiski hariv ja suuremas osas tu Hea ülevaade LSD psühhiaatrilisest kasutusest valdkonna ühelt parimalt asjatundjalt ja sidemelt hipiajastu psühhonautide ning täna taas jõudsalt liberaliseeruva teadusmaailma vahel， mikrodoosimise eestkostjalt James Fedimanilt。 Algajatele sissejuhatuseks siiski ei soovita - Fediman lähtub valdavalt mitte rändaja， vaid rännujuhi seisukohast。 Mõningad väited astuvad mu maitsele liialt esoteerilisele territooriumile （nt mees- ja naisenergiaid puudutav）， aga üldiselt siiski hariv ja suuremas osas tugevalt teaduspõhine teejuht turvalise raja leidmiseks psühhedeelses maailmas。 PS。 Selle raamatu alt pärineb mu lemmik Goodreadsi-revjuu: “Does anybody have any acid？” 3。5/5 。。。more

Emma Beckerle ，

Super solid overview of using psychedelics for therapeutic uses and productivity as well as notes for being a guide to someone。 I thought it was really good- some parts with the case studies got a little slow but overall very much recommend！

Arta ，

I didn't read it from beginning to end but I did get some interesting insights on how to approach a difficult experience or help someone on their journey。 I did not read any of the parts about how research says LSD is actually good for you and you should take it if you want to become successful in life because so much much has changed since this was published and now it's more-or-less become mainstream and the sort of thing where it's commonly-agreed that "the law hasn't caught up yet。" I alread I didn't read it from beginning to end but I did get some interesting insights on how to approach a difficult experience or help someone on their journey。 I did not read any of the parts about how research says LSD is actually good for you and you should take it if you want to become successful in life because so much much has changed since this was published and now it's more-or-less become mainstream and the sort of thing where it's commonly-agreed that "the law hasn't caught up yet。" I already know microdosing cures cancer。 。。。more

Mike ，

I read this based on the recommendation of How to Change Your Mind。Takeaways:1。 The author considers set and setting the key to successful trips。 He focused on the therapeutic aspects and the value of trained sitters， while keeping things all in the mind with eye shades and carefully chosen music。2。 Considerable amount of the book spent on Ayahuasca and its spiritual trip opportunities。3。 The author has been working in this realm since the 1960's and personally worked， researched with people lik I read this based on the recommendation of How to Change Your Mind。Takeaways:1。 The author considers set and setting the key to successful trips。 He focused on the therapeutic aspects and the value of trained sitters， while keeping things all in the mind with eye shades and carefully chosen music。2。 Considerable amount of the book spent on Ayahuasca and its spiritual trip opportunities。3。 The author has been working in this realm since the 1960's and personally worked， researched with people like Timothy Leary and other luminaries。 。。。more

Oliver ，

Highly useful and informative book。 A lot of it is worth scanning through， as opposed to absorbing details。 Some important information for beginners and less so for the more experienced

Yuri Chesses ，

Tough going at first but rewards after halfway。 I find these books can be a bit tough to stick with as a lot of it so subjective and the other half are facts from old experiments etc。。 But it was worth the read

Jesse Cantlon ，

A great primer into psychedelic research and dispelling decades of acid myths。

Alex A。 ，

The most informative book about Psychedelics I've encountered so far。 The most informative book about Psychedelics I've encountered so far。 。。。more

George ，

Practical information （which I assume is good and valid） and background about the history and potential of Psychedelics。

Shelby ，

Chock full of super information about psychedelics， largely pulling from the author’s own research back in the day。 Tons of references to outside materials， scientific and otherwise， if you want to know more on pretty much anything in there。 I like the mix of scientific analysis and personal accounts。The only disappointment for me is that one might expect a book entitled “The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide” to be， you know， a guide for psychedelic explorers and/or their guides。 There are maybe 4 c Chock full of super information about psychedelics， largely pulling from the author’s own research back in the day。 Tons of references to outside materials， scientific and otherwise， if you want to know more on pretty much anything in there。 I like the mix of scientific analysis and personal accounts。The only disappointment for me is that one might expect a book entitled “The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide” to be， you know， a guide for psychedelic explorers and/or their guides。 There are maybe 4 chapters （of 22） that are really doing that job。 The rest is really interesting so no big deal， but it would have been nice to know what I was getting into。 The other thing is that it gets a little repetitive （some of the chapters are deep dives or summaries of content included in other chapters）。 Overall a solid 4 stars。 。。。more

Rachel ，

Extremely informative。 Fadiman dives into not only what safe therapeutic use of psychedelic substances actually looks like， but also includes many personal accounts from others， as well as diving into much of the research that has been done in this field （which all directly contradicts the myths spread by the embarrassing “war on drugs”）。 This is a very good read， and a rather excellent compilation of a lot of information which I wish more people knew。 Will be a nice addition to my bookshelf， an Extremely informative。 Fadiman dives into not only what safe therapeutic use of psychedelic substances actually looks like， but also includes many personal accounts from others， as well as diving into much of the research that has been done in this field （which all directly contradicts the myths spread by the embarrassing “war on drugs”）。 This is a very good read， and a rather excellent compilation of a lot of information which I wish more people knew。 Will be a nice addition to my bookshelf， and a handy recommendation to anyone who has not done their research on this and could use a crash course。 Spoiler: it turns out that not only are these substances quite physically safe for therapeutic and recreational use， but they are not addictive and are actually much less harmful to the body than legal substances such as tobacco and alcohol。 But those don’t encourage thinking outside the box or anti-establishment thinking ;） 。。。more

Derek Frasure ，

Unparalleled resource for theraputic， mystico-religious， and problem-solving uses of tryptamines， particularly LSD。 Fadiman has been working with psychedelics since Menlo Park in the 60s。 There's scarcely anyone still alive with as much authoritative knowledge on the subject。 I do wish more of this was original， as large parts are excerpts from other studies or books; however， it's a very useful collection and most would otherwise rest in obscurity。 Unparalleled resource for theraputic， mystico-religious， and problem-solving uses of tryptamines， particularly LSD。 Fadiman has been working with psychedelics since Menlo Park in the 60s。 There's scarcely anyone still alive with as much authoritative knowledge on the subject。 I do wish more of this was original， as large parts are excerpts from other studies or books; however， it's a very useful collection and most would otherwise rest in obscurity。 。。。more

Paulo Adalberto Reimann ，

There are simpler booksThe are simpler books with a less doctorish thesis kinda reading。 This one in my opinion is too academic。 Sometimes I felt in the middle of a PPT presentation。

Will G ，

A reasonable discussion about psychedelics

Teun Bastiaans ，

Deze psychonaut vanaf nu in te huren als professioneel tripsitter。

Gabriel Hauser ，

In addition to Michael Pollan's book， probably the best overview of the current state of psychedelic research。 The variety of studies， personal accounts， interviews， topics covered。。。 Excellent and well written。 In addition to Michael Pollan's book， probably the best overview of the current state of psychedelic research。 The variety of studies， personal accounts， interviews， topics covered。。。 Excellent and well written。 。。。more

Payton Youngblood ，

A field guide for safe and therapeutic psychedelic journeys。

Cherie ，

Fascinating book。 Even though I don't plan on becoming a guide， am not necessarily even an experienced practitioner， just so interesting to see the ways in which psychedelics have been used， the history， of course has my beloved spiritual teacher Ram Dass。 Really interesting stuff， comprehensive。 Fascinating book。 Even though I don't plan on becoming a guide， am not necessarily even an experienced practitioner， just so interesting to see the ways in which psychedelics have been used， the history， of course has my beloved spiritual teacher Ram Dass。 Really interesting stuff， comprehensive。 。。。more

Caroline Ofenstein ，

Informational and fun read， especially if you're interested in the research side of psychedelics。 Right up there with Michael Pollan's "How to Change Your Mind" Informational and fun read， especially if you're interested in the research side of psychedelics。 Right up there with Michael Pollan's "How to Change Your Mind" 。。。more

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0