Dear friends,
In my five decades of advocating for psychedelic medicine, I’ve witnessed many obstacles to progress. But nothing quite prepared me for the conversation I had with Dr. Alex Belser, whose revelations about both the economics and ethics of our field left me troubled—yet hopeful.
When a single psychedelic therapy session costs $5,000, we’ve created a system that serves only the wealthy while forcing 98% of seekers underground. As Alex pointed out in our discussion, the arithmetic doesn’t add up: 23 hours of professional time at market rates puts healing out of reach for the very people who need it most—the 72% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck, many suffering from anxiety and depression.
Alex’s research into the hidden history of psychedelics also reveals our field’s complicity in conversion therapy, including the torture of LGBTQ teenagers with massive doses of LSD.
Yet Alex offers more than critique. His vision of community-based healing circles and harm reduction approaches points toward a more accessible, ethical future. One where we acknowledge hard truths while building better systems.
Golden light,
Dr. Richard Louis Miller
Links & Resources
EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression by Alexander Belser (Oxford University Press)
Queering Psychedelics: From Oppression to Liberation in Psychedelic Medicine by Alex Belser
Work with Me
After six decades as a practicing psychotherapist, I'm offering limited opportunities to work directly with me. I bring extensive experience addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, addiction, and psychedelic integration.
One-to-one sessions - Individual therapy tailored to your specific needs and goals. To request an appointment, email DrRichardLMiller@gmail.com with subject line "Contact Request." Include what you hope to accomplish and your phone number.
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Dr. Richard Miller's Mind Body Health & Politics podcast features weekly conversations with researchers, authors, and pioneers working at the frontiers of human consciousness and healing. All episodes from the past 20 years are available free in the archives.
Now Available: Psychedelic Medicine at the End of Life
You can now order my latest book, Psychedelic Medicine at the End of Life: Dying Without Fear. This work represents a culmination of my decades-long journey as a clinical psychologist, exploring how psychedelics can transform our approach to death and dying.
The book examines how substances like LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin can be powerful tools in confronting our fears of mortality, ultimately leading to richer, more fulfilling lives. I'm honored to include insights from renowned experts in the field, as well as my own experiences.
Here's what some esteemed colleagues are saying:
James Fadiman, Ph.D., calls it "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."
Charles S. Grob, M.D., describes it as "a masterful overview of an area of vital importance to our modern world... a valuable resource and contribution to the growing field of psychedelic medicine."
Julie Holland, M.D., notes that "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."
I hope this book will inspire meaningful conversations and new perspectives on how we approach the end of life.
My Books:
Psychedelic Medicine at the End of Life: Dying Without Fear (release date: November 5)
Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out
Psychedelic Wisdom: The Astonishing Rewards of Mind-Altering Substances
Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca
Integral Psychedelic Therapy (co-edited with Jason A. Butler & Genesee Herzberg)
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