All the books about psychedelics
King Acid by Peter ten Hoopen is a captivating narrative of a young writer in 1960s Amsterdam who, through his interest in mystic poets and mind-altering substances, encounters a group of “mental travellers.” The book chronicles their experiences as psychonauts and pioneers of a new world, delving into an era characterized by freedom, intoxication, friendship, love, disappointment, and sorrow, all set against the backdrop of the swinging Amsterdam of the 1960s.
Acid Revival: The Psychedelic Renaissance and the Quest for Medical Legitimacy by Danielle Giffort delves into the resurgence of psychedelic drugs in contemporary scientific research, as a new generation of researchers seeks to explore their potential for treating various psychiatric conditions. The book not only offers insight into the so-called psychedelic renaissance but also examines the cultural work involved in revitalizing this dormant area of medical science, all while navigating the lingering legacy of Timothy Leary and addressing the dilemmas that threaten the legitimacy of this burgeoning field.
Changing Our Minds: Psychedelic Sacraments and the New Psychotherapy by Don Lattin is an exploration of the social, spiritual, and scientific revolution occurring via psychedelic substances. This book contains stories of the pioneering researchers and participants within the MDMA clinical trials.
High Priest by Timothy Leary is a reissued account from the dawn of the psychedelic era, documenting 16 LSD trips experienced before the substance was illegal. Featuring trip guides such as Aldous Huxley, Ram Dass, and Huston Smith, the book offers insights into the psychedelic gatherings at the Millbrook mansion in New York State during the 1960s and the influential figures who journeyed there to explore altered states of consciousness with Leary’s group.
The Ketamine Papers: Science, Therapy, and Transformation edited by Phil Wolfson and Glenn Hartelius contains a wide-ranging discussion of the use of ketamine in therapy, the science behind its transformational capacities, and Wolfson’s own experience researching the substance. This book serves as an introduction for both patients and clinicians interested in exploring the therapeutic use of ketamine.
The Manual for Psychedelic Support edited by Annie Oak, Jon Hanna, Kaya, Svea Nielson, Twilight, and Zevic Mishor is an extensive guide for establishing and operating compassionate care services for individuals experiencing challenging drug experiences at music festivals and similar events. Drawing from the expertise of over fifty contributors from diverse backgrounds, the manual covers all aspects of such projects, including preparation, training, logistics, and operations, and is freely available under a Creative Commons License for adaptation and non-commercial use.
Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs (Vol. 1 & 2): 50 Years of Research edited by Dennis McKenna is a collection of essays by specialists in the fields of ethnopharmacology, chemistry, botany, and anthropology to discuss their latest findings on the topic. These essays explore the healing properties of medicinal plants, the crossovers between western and indigenous medicine, and the latest research in the field.
The Rose Of Paracelsus by William Pickard is a fictional book that follows a Harvard graduate student as they explore a global entheogen system, uncovering practices that potentially lead to cognitive enhancement and the next stage of human evolution. The narrative documents the experiences and insights gained from encounters with a secretive organization possessing extraordinary mental abilities.
Modes of Sentience: Psychedelics, Metaphysics, Panpsychism by Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes is a collection of philosophical essays exploring the connections between philosophy and psychedelic experiences. These essays cover panpsychism, questions of space and time, as well as other metaphysical concepts relating to the psychedelic experience.
Confrontation with the Unconscious: Jungian Depth Psychology and Psychedelic Experience by Scott J. Hill looks at how Jungian psychology might help us understand the psychedelic experience. Jung’s own bias against psychedelics has prevented many Jungians from considering both the benefits and risks associated with psychedelic use. This book shows how the confrontation with the unconscious occurring within the psychedelic experience shows the relevance of Jung’s insights into the mind.