A review of historical and recent research indicates that psychedelic drugs, when used in psychotherapy, may facilitate access to unconscious material and produce deep, lasting psychological change. The authors examine these effects through the lens of Jungian theory, highlighting archetypal aspects of hallucinogenic experiences with clinical vignettes. The evidence suggests therapeutic potential, though the text does not report specific effect sizes or definitive conclusions.
Carl Jung was wary of ecstatic rites involving dance and drumming, as well as the use of psychedelics like LSD and mescaline, warning they could expose people to overwhelming unconscious energies. This paper challenges Jung's caution by drawing on recent shamanic studies and psychedelic research. D. J. Moores argues that ecstatic rites have value in depth psychological work, countering Jung's apprehensions and highlighting the therapeutic and transformative potential of such practices.