http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/19/psychology.drugs
New research into the benefits of hallucinogens alongside
psychotherapy is welcome: in my experience they change lives
Andrew Feldmár
August 19 2008
There is a horrible sense of meaninglessness and chaos that comes
from the extreme loneliness of being cut off. Trauma, whether
sustained in the family, or in the military during combat, renders
millions feeling unsafe, insecure, mistrustful, and in the end
isolated, lonely and desperate. Judith Lewis Herman, who wrote the
definitive book on trauma and recovery, stated that all so-called
mental illness and suffering could be seen as a person's misguided
attempt to survive trauma. Fear separates, love unites. We all wish
to grow to freedom, to belong, to participate. Hatred is like
gangrene, shame is deadly. Forgiveness is but a faint hope.
Sandoz began to market LSD in 1947 as a psychiatric panacea, the cure
for everything from schizophrenia to criminal behaviour, sexual
perversions, alcoholism, and other addictions. During a 15-year
period beginning in 1950, research on LSD and other hallucinogens
generated over 1,000 scientific papers, several dozen books and six
international conferences, and LSD was prescribed as an adjunct of
psychotherapy to over 40,000 patients. The current research using
psychedelics heralds a reawakening to the magnificent healing
possibilities of these now prohibited substances. After over 40 years
of repression or oppression, Rick Doblin of Multidisciplinary
Association for Psychedelic Studies (Maps), and others are
spearheading a more enlightened, less hysterical and terrified
approach to the use of these substances. I am participating in what
hopefully will be Canada's first government approved clinical trials
in 40 years, sponsored and organised by Maps, evaluating
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for subjects with treatment-resistant
post-traumatic stress disorder.
There are many other applications of psychedelic psychotherapy, such
as ibogaine, or ayahuasca for the treatment of substance abuse. Large
numbers of people could benefit from the use of psychedelics as
entheogens, introducing people to spiritual experiences, reducing
pain and suffering due to isolation, by the irresistible realisation
that each of us is a small part of something much greater than any of
us, that separateness is an illusion, there is nothing to fear, and
love is accessible, shame can be left permanently behind. Rites of
passage, responsibly organised, could benefit everyone.
Despite prohibition, people have often asked me to attend their own
psychedelic experiments, to keep them safe, to guide them towards
liberation, the end of automatic habit patterns, kneejerk reactions,
towards heartfelt responses, love, acceptance and forgiveness. After
one session with MDMA, people were able to sustain insights gained,
without further assistance from the drug. Psychotherapy proceeded
faster and deeper than before: the debilitating effects of shame have
been annulled, heavily defended hearts opened, and stayed open, and
people acquired the ability to enjoy the sacrament of every living
moment without distraction by past regrets or future worries. No small gains!
After three LSD sessions, a patient emerged from what was labelled
chronic psychotic depression (she had attempted suicide three times,
had been hospitalised, and given several courses of ECT, major
antipsychotics and antidepressants), and was able to hold a job,
derive pleasure from her days, and look forward to cultivating a
varied garden of delights. She moved from cursing me for not letting
her die to blessing me for the surprising freedom that opened up for
her as a result of her LSD experiences. Psychotherapy, without LSD,
would not have been enough, I'm afraid.
I can only hope that if new research with psychedelics proceeds in a
responsible, careful and creative manner, the powers that be can
begin to support and foster further research into this fascinating
realm. I was 27 when I first tasted this incredible substance called
LSD. Now I am 68 and for the last two years have been persona non
grata in the US, because a border guard Googled my name, and found an
article I wrote many years ago on entheogen-assisted psychotherapy. I
hope I will be invited into the US before I die to teach
professionals how to use psychedelics for the benefit of all.
.
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