Healing with Entactogens

by Torsten Passie, M.D.; foreword by Ralph Metzner, Ph.D.

From the Publisher: This booklet explores MDMA and other entactogens as pharmacological adjuncts to group psychotherapy. It presents intimate insights into entactogenic experiences from first-hand accounts of clients who participated in group therapy sessions, and crucial background on the neurobiological and psychospiritual components of those experiences.

The word “entactogen” refers to compounds that “produce a touching within,” and is derived from the roots en (Greek: within), tact’s (Latin: touch), and gen (Greek: produce. Entactogen is used to describe a class of psychoactive substances that decrease anxiety; increase trust, self-acceptance, and openness; and allow easier access to memories, providing fertile ground for transformative healing.

Therapists used entactogens such as MDMA in their practice before it was criminalized in 1985. Since that time, much effort has taken place to conduct government-approved scientific research into MDMA’s therapeutic potential, which has recently been demonstrated in placebo-controlled studies of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder.

Praise for the Book: “Dr. Passie’s report is an important and welcome addition to the field. His comprehensive and insightful discussion of the findings makes this publication an invaluable resource for those interested in the methods, mechanisms, and challenges of entactogen-assisted psychotherapy. Dr. Passie’s fascinating work of combining group therapy with group and individual integration sessions may portend a promising direction for the wider therapeutic use of those compounds in the future. ” — Michael Mithoefer, M.D., psychiatrist and MDMA-assistsed psychotherapy researcher

“Torsten Passie’s research not only deals with the amplified psychotherapy possible with MDMA, but also with the neurophysiological and neurochemical correlates of the experience. His book deserves a place as an essential milestone in the integration of MDMA-type drugs into psychotherapeutic practice.” –Ralph Metzner, Ph.D., psychotherapist and consciousness researcher

“MDMA takes away the feelings of self-hatred and condemnation which are the biggest obstacles to insight.” — Ann Shulgin

About the Author: Torsten Passie, M.D. is a Professor of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Hannover Medical School in Germany and Visiting Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is a leading European authority on psychedelic compounds. His research covers states of consciousness and substance-assisted psychotherapy.

ISBN-10: 0-9798622-7-2    –    ISBN-13: 978-0-9798622-7-4