My Altered States : A Doctor's Extraordinary Account of Trauma, Psychedelics, and Spiritual Growth - Rick, MD Strassman

My Altered States

A Doctor's Extraordinary Account of Trauma, Psychedelics, and Spiritual Growth

By: Rick, MD Strassman

Paperback | 29 January 2025

At a Glance

Paperback


RRP $32.99

$30.25

or 4 interest-free payments of $7.56 with

 or 

Aims to ship in 5 to 10 business days

When will this arrive by?
Enter delivery postcode to estimate

An investigation based on direct experience into the meaning and message of altered states

- Recounts several dozen of the author's experiences of drug and non-drug altered states of consciousness from birth to early adulthood

- Applies the lenses of four explanatory models--psychoanalysis, psychopharmacology, Zen Buddhism, and medieval Jewish metaphysics--in understanding how and why they occurred

- Demonstrates the importance of careful unflinching recollection and documentation of both heavenly and hellish altered states in one's psychological, emotional, and spiritual life

Why do we seek out altered states of consciousness; or, in some cases, why do they happen unbidden? What do we see and hear, and what happens emotionally, physically, and psychologically? How and why are these experiences different from or similar to one another? Are they meaningful? And, what do we do with them after they have passed?

Addressing these questions, renowned psychedelic researcher Rick Strassman, M.D., draws upon his journals and analyses of dozens of episodes of altered consciousness that occurred during, or are intimately tied to, his life between birth and young adulthood. Just as significant as the ecstatic blissful experiences are the uncensored and, at times, painfully unvarnished narratives of less elevated ones. Visually augmenting these accounts are the striking images of renowned artist Merrilee Challiss.

Strassman's episodes of altered consciousness resulted from a wide variety of methods, drugs, and conditions: cannabis, alcohol, psychoanalysis, psychedelics, meditation, disordered mood, and childhood trauma. Regardless of their origin, he attempts to understand them using an array of models he has studied carefully over the years: psychopharmacology, Zen Buddhism, psychoanalytic psychology, and medieval Jewish metaphysics.

Understanding and applying the meaning and message of any altered state--its integration--first requires a clear-eyed recollection of the actual experiences in all their aspects, neither pushing away the ugly nor grasping after the beautiful. This book provides a profound example of how one might go about accomplishing this daunting task.

Industry Reviews
“ . . . Having the mind and the courage . . . You’re such an important part of the psychedelic history of this country because what you did is you legitimized a very important thing."

More in Spirituality & Religious Experience

The Power of Now : A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment - Eckhart Tolle
Murriyang : Song of Time - Stan Grant

RRP $39.99

$35.35

12%
OFF
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari - Robin Sharma

RRP $24.99

$23.75

Stillness Speaks : Whispers of Now - Eckhart Tolle

RRP $22.99

$21.90

The Book of Enoch - Enoch

RRP $27.02

$26.75

The Lesser Key of Solomon - Aleister Crowley

RRP $51.24

$38.25

25%
OFF
The Essential Rumi : New Expanded Edition - Coleman Barks

RRP $32.99

$29.35

11%
OFF
Come Thirsty : Leave Quenched - Debra Goins-Francis

RRP $38.45

$37.75

Come Thirsty : Leave Quenched - Debra Goins-Francis
The Secret Language of Birthdays - Gary Goldschneider

RRP $95.00

$61.75

35%
OFF
The Gospel of Mary Magdalene : No - Jean-Yves Leloup

RRP $22.99

$21.90

The Doors Of Perception : Vintage Classics - Aldous Huxley
The Light Seer's Tarot : A 78-Card Deck and Guidebook - Chris-Anne

RRP $39.99

$35.35

12%
OFF