Journal of Psychedelic Drugs
September 1, 1970
Stanislav Grof
38 citations
The paper discusses the historical and clinical use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) as an adjunct to psychotherapy during the 1950s and 1960s. It describes how LSD was administered in controlled settings to facilitate emotional release, enhance introspection, and deepen the therapeutic process, particularly for patients with anxiety, depression, and addiction. The author notes that while some psychotherapists reported positive outcomes, the clinical use of LSD was controversial and eventually restricted due to legal and safety concerns. The paper provides an overview of the theoretical rationale, methods, and limitations of LSD-assisted psychotherapy during that era.
OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying
February 1, 1980
William A. Richards, John C. Rhead, Stanislav Grof et al.
20 citations
A pilot project with thirty cancer patients experiencing psychological distress combined about twelve hours of conventional verbal psychotherapy over four weeks with a single intensive drug-assisted therapy session using dipropyltryptamine (DPT), a short-acting psychedelic. Analysis of psychological tests and independent ratings before and after the intervention suggests the total therapeutic approach enhances quality of life. The text discusses the relative merits of DPT compared to LSD and the need for a controlled study.
SUNY Press eBooks
December 31, 2023
Stanislav Grof, Christina Grof
1 citation
Holotropic breathwork, a method of self-exploration and psychotherapy developed by Stanislav and Christina Grof, uses nonordinary states of consciousness induced by accelerated breathing, evocative music, and bodywork to promote healing and transformation. These states can evoke experiences from childhood, infancy, birth, and collective unconscious archetypes. The approach integrates insights from modern consciousness research, depth psychology, transpersonal psychology, anthropology, Eastern spiritual practices, and mystical traditions. The second edition includes expanded history of the method and information on Grof Legacy Training.
Integral Transpersonal Journal
September 1, 2021
Stanislav Grof
Stanislav Grof describes holotropic states of consciousness—those that move toward wholeness—which conventional psychology and psychiatry typically label as altered. He argues that these states are not pathological but can be healing and transformative, offering access to deeper dimensions of the psyche beyond the personal unconscious. The paper explores the potential of such states for personal growth, spiritual development, and understanding the human mind, challenging mainstream views that pathologize non-ordinary experiences.