Description

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The word "psychedelic" means "mind manifesting." It seems likely that psychedelic agents have profoundly influenced the evolution of our most important civilizations and the development of our collective psyche. The use of psychedelics as cultural drivers and creativity enhancers in the modern era has shaped music, art, literature, and depth psychology.

Psychedelic drugs have acquired a certain reputation and polarize opinion. In their heyday, this remarkable group of psychoactive substances was believed to hold great promise for treating medical conditions, assisting psychotherapy, fueling creativity, and allowing profound spiritual experiences. However, political reaction and legal restrictions pushed their use back into the shadows in the mid-1970s.

Currently there is a resurgence of interest into their clinical and therapeutic use. Research is gathering real momentum and some of the traditional misinformation and stereotypes are being reversed. This collection of original papers from the Psychedelic Press UK journal takes us on a fascinating journey through topics such as the use of psychedelics in medicine and psychotherapy, archetypal psychology and spiritual awakenings, and creative surges in literature, myth, and visionary art.

About the Author

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Robert Dickins is a published author, writer, and poet based in Cornwall, UK.Tim Read is a leading clinical psychiatrist who led psychiatry at the Royal London Hospital for twenty years and worked with hundreds of patients on hospital wards who had survived suicide attempts.