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Abstract

Grof (1975Grof ( , 1990) ) has been the most Grof (1975Grof ( , 1990) ) has been the most prominent explorer of these inaccessible prominent explorer of these inaccessible regions for over 40 years and once research regions for over 40 years and once research into lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) into lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) became impossible, developed a technique became impossible, developed a technique for inducing non-ordinary states of con-for inducing non-ordinary states of consciousness called 'holotropic breathwork'.sciousness called 'holotropic breathwork'.This offers many of the features of the This offers many of the features of the psychedelic state without the need to take psychedelic state without the need to take a drug.Using insights from the use of a drug.Using insights from the use of LSD and holotropic breathwork in thou-LSD and holotropic breathwork in thousands of people, Grof (1975) proposed an sands of people, Grof (1975) proposed an extended model of the psyche with extended model of the psyche with psychodynamic, perinatal and trans-psychodynamic, perinatal and transpersonal layers.These are provocative personal layers.These are provocative models of mind which challenge existing models of mind which challenge existing Western paradigms of consciousness and Western paradigms of consciousness and which probably reinforce mainstream which probably reinforce mainstream suspicion of any insights purporting to arise suspicion of any insights purporting to arise from the psychedelic experience.However, from the psychedelic experience.However, they do represent a serious attempt to they do represent a serious attempt to explore, describe and understand the explore, describe and understand the complex features of the non-ordinary state complex features of the non-ordinary state of consciousness and its theoretical of consciousness and its theoretical implications.implications.Holotropic breathwork is marketed Holotropic breathwork is marketed more as a means of personal exploration more as a means of personal exploration than psychotherapy, but careful prepara-than psychotherapy, but careful preparation, the context, a highly supportive tion, the context, a highly supportive setting and integration after the non-setting and integration after the nonordinary state of consciousness are deemed ordinary state of consciousness are deemed crucial if the experience is to have value crucial if the experience is to have value (Grof, 1990).This approach is in contrast (Grof, 1990).This approach is in contrast to the views of Strassman (http://www.to the views of Strassman (http://www.tripzine.com/interviews.asp?id tripzine.com/interviews.asp?id¼strassman) strassman) who researched the use of N,N-dimethyl-who researched the use of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in 65 volunteers be-tryptamine (DMT) in 65 volunteers between 1990 and 1995 in a hospital tween 1990 and 1995 in a hospital setting with little attention to the setting with little attention to the surroundings.Strassman (2000) concluded surroundings.Strassman (2000) concluded that DMT probably did not have a that DMT probably did not have a beneficial effect in itself, that its use was beneficial effect in itself, that its use was high risk and that psychiatrists generally high risk and that psychiatrists generally did not have the experience, sensitivity or did not have the experience, sensitivity or training to support, contain, direct or training to support, contain, direct or interpret the more unusual experiences interpret the more unusual experiences that arise.Thus, although the drug is easily that arise.Thus, although the drug is easily taken, the context and setting is a little taken, the context and setting is a little more complicated and is at least as more complicated and is at least as important.important.My point is that psychedelic drugs are My point is that psychedelic drugs are just one of a number of methods for the just one of a number of methods for the induction of a non-ordinary state of con-induction of a non-ordinary state of consciousness.Non-drug methods for the sciousness.Non-drug methods for the induction, exploration of and therapeutic induction, exploration of and therapeutic uses for non-ordinary states of conscious-uses for non-ordinary states of consciousness may prove to be more productive for ness may prove to be more productive for psychiatrists interested in this area, given psychiatrists interested in this area, given the controversy that the use of psychedelic the controversy that the use of psychedelic drugs will always arouse.drugs will always arouse.