The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and Synergetic Press are breathing new life into a classic book that details the work of an underground psychedelic-assisted therapy trailblazer. The Secret Chief Revealed: Conversations with Leo Zeff, Pioneer in the Underground Psychedelic Therapy Movement, revised 2nd edition will be released on April 19, 2022.
The Secret Chief Revealed is an in-depth, first-hand account of Leo Zeff, Ph.D., a pioneering psychedelic therapist who conducted MDMA-assisted therapy sessions pre- and post-prohibition. Originally published by MAPS in 2004, The Secret Chief Revealed is written as a transcription of an interview conducted in the 1980s with Zeff about his research, studies, and practice with psychedelic-assisted therapy. The revised 2nd edition maintains much of the 2nd edition release, including thoughtful contributions from leading authors in the psychedelic movement such as Albert Hofmann, Ph.D., the chemist who discovered LSD, and Stanislav Grof, M.D., Ph.D., a psychiatrist and founder of transpersonal psychology, LSD psychotherapy, and Holotropic Breathwork.
“I am thrilled that Leo Zeff’s wisdom and expertise are continuing to reach new audiences through this revised second edition of The Secret Chief Revealed. The therapeutic use of MDMA was first pioneered by Leo Zeff in 1976, after a courageous career providing psychedelic-assisted therapy in underground settings. Leo’s contributions to psychedelic therapy and mentorship towards my study of the benefits of using MDMA as adjunct to psychotherapy, and sitting for me for several of my own psychedelic therapy sessions, had a critical, foundational role to the formation of MAPS.”
Rick Doblin, Ph.D., founder and executive director of MAPS
The Secret Chief Revealed, revised 2nd edition includes contributions curated by Myron Stolaroff in the form of sentimental, narrative-style tributes to Zeff, with notable words from Ann Shulgin and Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin, Ph.D., renowned psychedelic researchers and authors, who called Zeff “a most courageous and skillful psychologist, the person who effectively introduced MDMA into the medical arena of psychotherapy.”
“The Secret Chief is the story of a great man whose story has come due. [Zeff’s] influence on a great part of psychedelic thinking is unquestionable and seminal. Our laws must eventually loosen up regarding the uses of psychedelics in therapy … Applause to Myron Stolaroff for bringing this story to light, and for revealing the hidden history of psychedelic therapy and its elders.”
Tom Lyttle, author and editor of the original The Secret Chief
This revised edition of The Secret Chief Revealed contains corrected errata, updated links to sources cited in the 2004 edition, and a new design.
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The Secret Chief Revealed$13.95
About Leo Zeff, Ph.D.
Leo Zeff (1912 – 1988) was a pioneering psychedelic therapist and researcher focused on LSD, MDMA, and other psychoactive drugs. He conducted much of his work and practice underground after psychedelics were declared illegal in the 1960s. By the time he turned 70, Zeff was single-handedly responsible for the introduction of psychedelic compounds in use globally among nearly 4,000 individual therapists/practitioners
About Myron J. Stolaroff
Myron J. Stolaroff (1920 – 2013) was a researcher and author best known for his work in psychedelic psychotherapy. In 1960, he founded the International Foundation for Advanced Study in Menlo Park, Calif. There, he studied the effects of mescaline, LSD, and other drugs on human creativity until the Food and Drug Administration revoked psychedelic-related research permits in 1965, Stolaroff continued his work using unscheduled compounds until 1986. Stolaroff served on the board of the Albert Hofmann Foundation, as a consultant to the Heffter Research Institute and as an advisory board member for the Center for Cognitive Liberty and Ethics.
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ABOUT MAPS
Founded in 1986, MAPS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana. MAPS is sponsoring the most advanced psychedelic therapy research in the world: Phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. Since its founding, MAPS has raised over $130 million for psychedelic and marijuana research and education and has earned both the Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency and a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator.
ABOUT SYNERGETIC PRESS
For over 35 years as an independent publisher, our mission has been to promote mindful discussion of humankind’s present and future lives. We publish unique and paradigm-shifting ideas in subjects such as ecology, sustainability, psychedelics, consciousness, and environmental and social justice that inspire both individual and social change. For more information visit synergeticpress.com.
