View source for Psychedelic Therapy

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<blockquote class="definition">'''Psychedelic Therapy''' is therapy enhanced via the use of high doses of [[Connection Supplements]].</blockquote>

==Types of Connection Therapy==

[[Connection Therapy]] > {{#ask:[[Is a::Connection Therapy Type]]}}

==Related LP Terms==

[[Psychedelic Therapy]] > {{#ask:[[Is a related LP term::Psychedelic Therapy]]}}

==Non-LP Related Terms==

[[Psychedelic Therapy]] > {{#ask:[[Is a related term::Psychedelic Therapy]]}}

==Notes==

[[Psychedelic]] therapy is a term first used by [[Stanislav Grof]] to describe his use of high doses of [[LSD]] (300-500ug)<ref>Grof, Stanislav. “Varieties of Transpersonal Experiences: Observations from LSD Psychotherapy.” ''Journal of Transpersonal Psychology'' 4, no. 1 (1972): 45–80. p. 48.</ref>  to treat a wide range of neurotic and psychotic psychopathologies.

According to Grof, psychedelic therapy uses [[Connection Supplements]] (what he calls psychedelics) to '''amplify''' brain processes and expose them to examination and integration.<ref>. “Theoretical and Empirical Basis of Transpersonal Psychology and Psychotherapy: Observations from LSD Research.” Journal of Transpersonal Psychology 5, no. 1 (June 1973): 15–53. p. 17.</ref> This leads to recovery and resolution of repressed psychodynamic, perinatal,<ref>Grof, Stanislav. ''Realms of the Unconscious: Observations from LSD Research.'' New York: Viking Press, 1976.</ref> and even past life trauma (Armstrong, 1989). Successful treatment leads to enhanced functioning of the [[Physical Unit]] and eventual reconnection with the Fabric of Consciousness. As with [[Psycholytic Therapy]], careful attention to [[Set and Setting]] is critical to the success of psychedelic therapy. 

Grof also describes the way [[LSD]] breaks down ego barriers and then '''connects''' us to wider realities. "In some cases, the subject experiences loosening of his usual ego boundaries, and his consciousness and self-awareness seem to expand to include and encompass other individuals and elements of the external world. In other cases, he continues experiencing his own identity but at a different time, in a different place, or in a different context. In yet other cases, the subject experiences a complete loss of his own ego identity and a complete identification with the consciousness of another entity. Finally, in a rather large category of these psychedelic transpersonal experiences (archetypal experiences, encounters with blissful and wrathful deities, union with God, etc.), the subject's consciousness appears to encompass elements that do not have any continuity with his usual ego identity and cannot be considered simple."<ref>Grof, Stanislav. “Varieties of Transpersonal Experiences: Observations from LSD Psychotherapy.” ''Journal of Transpersonal Psychology'' 4, no. 1 (1972): 45–80. p. 49.</ref> Indeed, Grof's 1972 article "Varieties of Transpersonal Experiences: Observations from LSD Psychotherapy" is a veritable gold-mind of clinical examples of people connecting to all aspect of reality (plants, animals, other people, the planet, God, and creation). <ref>Grof, Stanislav. “Varieties of Transpersonal Experiences: Observations from LSD Psychotherapy.” ''Journal of Transpersonal Psychology'' 4, no. 1 (1972): 45–80.</ref>  

Grof considered psychedelic therapy to be a more powerful and direct form of therapy than lower dose [[Psycholytic Therapy]].<ref>Grof, Stanislav. ''Realms of the Unconscious: Observations from LSD Research.'' New York: Viking Press, 1976.</ref> By injecting the client with high doses of LSD, [[Ego Defenses]] were forcibly circumvented and the client was put in touch with the "transpersonal realms" of experience (i.e., the client was put in touch with the [[Fabric of Consciousness]]). The insights and revelations gained by even a brief encounter with the Fabric of Consciousness generally lead to significant, even startling improvements in psychological and sociological functioning (Grof, 1976)(see the SpiritWiki page on [[Entheogens]] for more information). 

Early research with LSD and other [[Connection Supplements]] showed incredible promise. Unfortunately, social and political paranoia forced the cessation, until quite recently, of what would no doubt have been a revolutionary advancement in the treatment of psychopathology. 

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[[category:terms]]
[[Is a related term::Psycholytic Therapy| ]]
[[Is a term::Grof, Stanislav| ]]
[[Is a related term::Reconsolidation| ]]
[[Is a related term::Consolidation| ]]
[[Is a related term::Verbal Psychotherapy| ]]
[[Is a related term::Transpersonal Realm]]
[[Is a::Connection Therapy Type]]
[[Is a related term::LP Protocol| ]]