Psychedelic Medicine at the End of Life

Dying without Fear

De: Richard Louis Miller, Rick Doblin - introduction

Narrado por: Sean Daeley

• Outlines 10 steps for dying gracefully with the help of psychedelics, including how to navigate the complex legal landscape and find the right guide and therapy

• Looks at clinical studies of psychedelics from UCLA, Johns Hopkins, and NYU School of Medicine that show dramatic lessening of end-of-life anxiety in terminally ill patients

• Shares wisdom from experts on psychedelic research and palliative care, including Roland Griffiths, Katherine MacLean, Ira Byock, and Anthony Bossis

Examining the evolving landscape that is found around end-of-life psychedelic care, Dr. Richard Louis Miller, a clinical psychologist for more than half a century, looks at how LSD, MDMA, psilocybin, and ayahuasca can be vital tools in allowing individuals in all stages of life to confront fears of dying and, in so doing, lead richer lives.

Miller shares wisdom from experts on the frontiers of psychedelic research and palliative care—including Roland Griffiths, Katherine MacLean, Ira Byock, and Anthony Bossis—and examines cutting-edge studies from Johns Hopkins, UCLA, and NYU School of Medicine that show dramatically decreased anxiety in terminally ill patients through the use of psychedelics. He explores how different substances can help the dying overcome their end-of-life distress. He also provides testimony from researchers and patients participating in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy that helps convey the experience of ego death at the heart of the psychedelic experience.

Miller outlines 10 steps for dying gracefully, without fear, with the help of psychedelics. He examines how to navigate the complex legal landscape and find the right guide, dose, and therapy. He also includes reflections from key figures in the psychedelic community as well as some of his own psychedelically informed mystical and near-death experiences.

Revealing psychedelics as a portal of transformation, Miller shows how they are singularly valuable in helping individuals face the end of life with courage and serenity.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Miller writes personally, emotionally, wisely—unafraid to talk about dark and difficult parts of his own life and enthusiastic about every day remaining. Thoroughly grounded in his own close-to-death experiences and insights gained from his and others’ psychedelic journeys, his refreshing understanding of what dying brings to living is healthy and sane. He has given us a needed alternative to our current death-phobic and deathdenying usual narrative. He makes a strong case for benefitting from different psychedelic plants and fungi, most of which can reconnect people to the underlying unity in which some parts are being born and some dying but none are ever lost. This is a deeply uplifting, clear, and compassionate guide to dying and how psychedelics, used correctly, diminish our fears about approaching the door that opens at the end of our life.”

“A masterful overview of an area of vital importance to our modern world rapidly attracting interest and support. Through his own moving life stories and those of his friends, colleagues, and patients, Miller shares insights on how we may more effectively approach and prepare for the end of life. He wisely states that psychedelics under optimal conditions have a unique application for those mired in psychospiritual suffering and asserts that these are existential medicines of inestimable value. This book is a valuable resource and contribution to the growing field of psychedelic medicine along with our ever-present struggle to find meaning and value to our lives while we still inhabit this mortal coil.”

“From my earliest exposure to psychedelics, I have always carried the pivotal understanding that they showed to me: that death has a bad reputation but is perfectly safe. In Psychedelic Medicine at the End of Life, Miller has supported and elaborated upon that perspective, integrating his clinical expertise, his personal experiences, his appreciation for the developing body of research, and his encounters with a unified vision of reality in a book that will be instructive and inspiring to readers from a wide variety of backgrounds and disciplines.”

“Miller starts with a gripping and inspiring story and then continues to ply us with vital information. Psychedelics may offer a mini-death rehearsal, offering a glimpse of spiritual oneness, enabling us to be less afraid at the end of our lives. This peacefulness resonates with family and friends, allowing us to stay connected to loved ones throughout the process.”

“This inspiring book is semi-autobiographical as Miller shares several personal brushes with death and his experiences with psychedelic substances such as morning glory seeds, LSD, DMT, and MDMA. He includes episodes and insights from his academic career and from his work as a clinical psychologist. As he relates his life story, Miller weaves in commentary from interviews with experts in psychedelic research. A captivating read for those interested in this field.”

Riveting from beginning to end

This is the book I've been waiting for! As a death doula, and having 30 years of psychedelic exploration (recreational and therapeutic) the topic of death and psychedelics has come up a lot in my heart and mind and in conversations the last couple of years. It was such a pleasure to listen to this as I drove across the country today (having to stop and take notes many times). Great resources and insight. I love the passion in which Dr. Miller shares his opinions, wisdom, and stories - a weaving of science and metaphysics, along with recorded results, and first hand experiences in an easily digestible (and relatable to me) way. I especially love how there are clear outlined steps on how to approach these journeys, with emphasis on set/setting and integration.

Here's to more education and conversations on the subjects of both psychedelics and death and how we can help support/empower others (and ourselves) in the process. Death - it happens to us all and why not have it become a part of our daily lives as it IS a fundamental part of life! My passion for being of service in this way has been reignited, thank you! Oh - and the part about the minister creating psychedelic retreats blew me away. My dad is a recently (mostly) retired minister and I'm excited to share this book with both he and my mother.