About the Book
Explores scientific and medical research on the emerging uses of psychedelics to enrich mind, morals, spirituality, and creativity
• Outlines a future that embraces psychedelics as tools for cognitive development, personal growth, business, and an experience-based religious reformation
• Presents research on the use of psychedelics to enhance problem-solving, increase motivation, boost the immune system, and deepen ethical values
• Includes chapters by Roger N. Walsh, M.D., Ph.D., and Charles Grob, M.D., on their psychedelic research on religious experience and alleviating the fear of death
As psychedelic psychotherapy gains recognition through research at universities and medical establishments such as the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute and Bellevue Hospital, the other beneficial uses of psychedelics are beginning to be recognized and researched as well--from enhancing problem-solving and increasing motivation to boosting the immune system and deepening moral and ethical values.
Exploring the bright future of psychedelics, Thomas B. Roberts, Ph.D., reveals how new uses for entheogens will enrich individuals as well as society as a whole. With contributions from Charles Grob, M.D., and Roger N. Walsh, M.D., Ph.D., the book explains how psychedelics can raise individual and business attitudes away from self-centeredness, improve daily life with strengthened feelings of meaningfulness and spirituality, and help us understand and redesign the human mind, leading to the possibility of a neurosingularity--a time when future brains surpass our current ones. Roberts envisions a future where you will seek psychedelic therapy not only for psychological reasons but also for personal growth, creative problem solving, improved brain function, and heightened spiritual awareness.
Our psychedelic future is on the horizon--a future that harnesses the full potential of mind and spirit--and Thomas Roberts outlines a path to reach it.
Table of Contents:
A Note to Readers
Introduction: A Short Trail Guide to This Book
Part 1
The Experience That Alters All Others
1 Our Psychedelic Future
2 Humanity’s Taproot
3 Raising Values
4 The New Religious Era
5 Psychedelics and Religious Experiences--What Is the Relationship? by Roger N. Walsh, M.D., Ph.D., D.H.L.
6 Do Psychedelic-induced Mystical Experiences Boost the Immune System?
7 Psychedelic Psychotherapy Near the End of Life by Charles S. Grob, M.D., and Alicia L. Danforth
Part 2
High-Yield Ideas--Multistate Theory and the Fruitful Mind
8 Multistate Theory--Apps Are to Devices as Mindbody States Are to Minds
9 Enhancing Cognition, Boosting Intelligence, Expanding Cognitive Studies
10 New Intellectual Endeavors
11 It’s a Perinatal World--Hitler and War, Sartre and Mescaline, Snow White and Fight Club
12 The Neurosingularity Project--When Bigger Heads and Better Brains Surpass Our Current Ones
Part 3
From Lab to Life, From Clinic to Campus
13 Reaching the Unreachable Public While Raising $1+ Billion for Psychedelic R & D via Crowdfunding--A Biz-fi Speculation
14 It Means Something Different to be Well Educated
15 You Teach What? Where?
Conclusion: Hopes
Appendix: Community Psychedelic Centers International, Inc.--Notes for a Prospectus
References
Index
About the Author :
Thomas B. Roberts, Ph.D., is professor emeritus at Northern Illinois University, where he has taught the world’s first catalog-listed psychedelics course since 1981. A former visiting scientist at Johns Hopkins, the editor of Spiritual Growth with Entheogens, coeditor of Psychedelic Medicine, and author of Psychedelic Horizons, he lives in DeKalb, Illinois.
Review :
“Roberts provides us with a map of a healthy future and directions on how to get there. This important, practical volume should be on the must-read list of all citizens, including students, businesspeople, artists, legislators, regulators, and policy makers. We would all do well to follow Professor Roberts’s guidance into our psychedelic future.”
“With the psychedelic renaissance now in full flower, this book provides timely insight into the many reasons that we should work to mainstream nonordinary states of consciousness for a range of beneficial uses and the practical ways we can do so.”
“With intelligence, keen insight, deep knowledge, and a wonderful ability to imagine a future illuminated by the powerful interaction between entheogens and the seeking human mind, Thomas Roberts pulls off a visionary book about the most fascinating subject imaginable.”
“Tom Roberts is one of the few elder statesmen of the psychedelic world concerned with the inevitable social and medical repercussions arising from the continued worldwide use and growing medical and governmental acceptance of entheogens. I find his speculations and their implications wise and innovative.”
“Roberts’s work in the area of entheogens--man’s use of psychedelic substances in the context of religious rite or spiritual growth--has sought to replace popular uninformed hysteria with actual facts and, through critical examination, illuminate the ways in which our brains process and interpret our perceptions. He has earned his place among the best inner explorers of our time.”
“Roberts’s book is a tour de force in the nascent field of psychedelic studies. The Psychedelic Future of the Mind proposes bold new research directions and methodologies that intrepidly advance what psychedelic research can become. A guide for researchers and the general public alike, this book promotes paths to integrate the power of psychedelic insights into both careers and daily life.”
“Tom Roberts may be an extraordinary academic thinker, but he presents the ideas in this book poetically and directly in ways that will allow everyone from artists and intellectuals to shamanic seekers and born-agains to understand the value of psychedelics as we map out the geography of the global future of consciousness.”
“The Psychedelic Future of the Mind is the best exploration that I’ve ever seen on how mystical experiences can transform human lives, catalyze the evolution of spiritual intelligence, and help people to discover the hidden potentials of the mind. This valuable contribution to our understanding of the psychedelically-inspired mystical experience--and its consequences on physical, mental, and spiritual health--discusses the psychology of religion, and how we learn in non-ordinary states of consciousness, from a transcendental vantage point. Thomas Roberts’ magnificent new book also explores how the future evolution of consciousness will interface with advanced technology, and is simply a treasure trove of fascinating ideas, bursting with eye-opening insights on every page.”
“In short, Roberts’ book offers a well-informed introduction to the broad spectrum use of psychedelics, a prospectus for community growth centers, and a vision of intelligence and creativity higher than what we now enjoy, plus news from one of the best thinkers and a pair of the most imaginative researchers in the field.”
“Tom Robert’s new book is a tour de force in the nascent field of psychedelic studies. More than a seminal overview of psychedelic research to date, The Psychedelic Future of the Mind proposes bold new research directions and methodologies that intrepidly advance what psychedelic research can become...Roberts’ book will be a signpost of inspiration to current and future researchers in developing this field.”
“One of the most important and powerful aspects of this book is that Roberts effectively bridges the gap between science and humanistic thought. He takes an ecumenical and very open-minded approach to the value of altered states. This book should be in every psycho-naut’s library.”
“Our psychedelic future is on the horizon—a future that harnesses the fuller potentials of mind and spirit: raising intelligence, new intellectual frontiers, new ways to interpret history and philosophy, even designing new thinking processes...! This book will sprout fresh ideas in your mind.”
“In conclusion, The Psychedelic Future of the Mind does what any great work of pharmacography should do i.e. make one think. It doesn’t simply prescribe an approach, posit a definitive vision or throttle any particular meaning around the psychedelic experience. It puts one to thinking about the potential for psychedelic substances, for the individual and for society. As such, it is very successful and, moreover, challenging in many of the ideas it puts out there. Very much worth a read!”
“Roberts seeks to enlighten all who will listen about the many potential benefits of using entheogens for a variety of purposes, and to replace common misconceptions with facts. This book goes beyond science and mental health. It’s interesting and enlightening for any explorer of human potential. ”
“Roberts present his concepts and ideas clearly and coherently, yet does so with unmistakable passion and an underlying sense of humour. The main goal of this work is to stimulate a new way of looking at psychedelics; viewing them as potential allies in our evolutionary journey. While he remains optimistic for the future, he stops short of suggesting that psychedelics are a panacea or that social change will occur overnight. He emphasizes that obstacles to public education and academic research still exits and there will continue to be resistance in the public and political spheres. Nevertheless, Roberts’ conclusions and recommendations, especially with regards to education, are worthy of a wider audience. Considering Roberts has taught a course on psychedelics for over three decades, he has a commendable grasp of the logistics and significance of psychedelic education. We would be wise to take note of his suggestions so that we may develop new research questions and models; creative methodologies; engaging university courses; and future generations of psychedelic researchers.”
“Those who can come across the word entheogens (psychoactive drugs used with a spiritual purpose) without needing a dictionary will have an easier time with the prose, but they might be the proverbial choir listening to the preaching. These folks can expect an informative, thoughtful, organized, and enjoyable spin through history, spirituality, religion, psychology, economics, and politics. They will find the classic allusions to many of psychology’s forefathers, including William James and Abraham Maslow, as Roberts details how the field has always flirted with mystical experiences and altered levels of awareness. Big names in the study of consciousness also get respectful tips of the hat. Roberts boils down complicated studies in an accessible way. Unlike comparable authors, he does not see hallucinogens as a panacea. An endearing section called Why You Shouldn’t Put LSD in Your Friend’s Coffee underscores the import of set and setting, emphasizes how the underground market undermines knowledge about any illicit drug’s actual content and potency, and elaborates on individual differences in drug reactions. The hallucinogens are clearly not for everybody.”
