Thank you for your continued advocacy in the field of psychedelic medicine. Your recent interview with Dr. Belser was both engaging and thought-provoking. I appreciate Dr. Belser's important work on several fronts - his commitment to making psychedelic therapy more accessible, his dedication to harm reduction, and his valuable efforts in addressing historical injustices faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Yesterday’s symposium at Psychedelic Science Conference 2025 in Denver, "Reclaiming Our Joy: The Liberatory Power of Psychedelics in Queer and Trans Communities," exemplifies the positive direction our field is taking.
However, I feel compelled to address a concerning aspect of the interview. Several mental health professionals who watched the interview and have worked alongside Dr. Stan Grof for decades contacted me and are very troubled by Dr. Belser's characterization of my brother Stan’s work. The suggestion of any connection between Stan and sex conversion therapy is not only historically inaccurate but deeply misleading. Throughout his career, Dr. Grof has consistently maintained that same-gender attraction is a healthy expression of human sexuality. His clinical work, whether through LSD psychotherapy or Holotropic Breathwork, has never included treating homosexuality as a condition requiring psychiatric intervention.
To clarify the historical record: Dr. Grof did treat patients who happened to be homosexual, but they sought help for various emotional disorders, including depression and psychotic symptoms - much like Dr. Belser's own commendable work with diverse communities today. Furthermore, the numerous LGBTQ+ individuals who participated in Holotropic Breathwork did so for personal growth and self-exploration, never for sexual orientation change. Stan recently reaffirmed his longstanding position in his published January 2025 statement to the global community.
While I deeply respect Dr. Belser's contributions to psychedelic therapy and his advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, accuracy in representing our field's history is crucial. Just as Dr. Belser in the interview rightfully critiques current governmental attempts to distort United States history, we must all hold ourselves to the same high standard of historical accuracy.
I share this perspective in the spirit of fostering honest dialogue and ensuring our progress is built on a foundation of truth. Dr. Belser's work is too important to be diminished by historical misrepresentations that could be easily avoided through more careful research.
Thank you for your support of Mind Body Health & Politics and your thoughtful comment on my recent interview with Dr Belser.
What might I do with regard to the error you describe Dr Belser making about your brother, Dt Stan Grof, one of the great heroes of our cause of psychedelic science.
As you know, I too am a big advocate for this work and healing in groups and on retreats and the current model of regulated practice here in Colorado makes that difficult. I hope to see that change as there is so much medicine in connection, community and shared experiences and support
Dear Dr. Miller,
Thank you for your continued advocacy in the field of psychedelic medicine. Your recent interview with Dr. Belser was both engaging and thought-provoking. I appreciate Dr. Belser's important work on several fronts - his commitment to making psychedelic therapy more accessible, his dedication to harm reduction, and his valuable efforts in addressing historical injustices faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Yesterday’s symposium at Psychedelic Science Conference 2025 in Denver, "Reclaiming Our Joy: The Liberatory Power of Psychedelics in Queer and Trans Communities," exemplifies the positive direction our field is taking.
However, I feel compelled to address a concerning aspect of the interview. Several mental health professionals who watched the interview and have worked alongside Dr. Stan Grof for decades contacted me and are very troubled by Dr. Belser's characterization of my brother Stan’s work. The suggestion of any connection between Stan and sex conversion therapy is not only historically inaccurate but deeply misleading. Throughout his career, Dr. Grof has consistently maintained that same-gender attraction is a healthy expression of human sexuality. His clinical work, whether through LSD psychotherapy or Holotropic Breathwork, has never included treating homosexuality as a condition requiring psychiatric intervention.
To clarify the historical record: Dr. Grof did treat patients who happened to be homosexual, but they sought help for various emotional disorders, including depression and psychotic symptoms - much like Dr. Belser's own commendable work with diverse communities today. Furthermore, the numerous LGBTQ+ individuals who participated in Holotropic Breathwork did so for personal growth and self-exploration, never for sexual orientation change. Stan recently reaffirmed his longstanding position in his published January 2025 statement to the global community.
While I deeply respect Dr. Belser's contributions to psychedelic therapy and his advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, accuracy in representing our field's history is crucial. Just as Dr. Belser in the interview rightfully critiques current governmental attempts to distort United States history, we must all hold ourselves to the same high standard of historical accuracy.
I share this perspective in the spirit of fostering honest dialogue and ensuring our progress is built on a foundation of truth. Dr. Belser's work is too important to be diminished by historical misrepresentations that could be easily avoided through more careful research.
Kind regards,
Paul Grof MD, PhD, FRCP
Dear Dr Grof:
Thank you for your support of Mind Body Health & Politics and your thoughtful comment on my recent interview with Dr Belser.
What might I do with regard to the error you describe Dr Belser making about your brother, Dt Stan Grof, one of the great heroes of our cause of psychedelic science.
Most respectfully, with golden light,
Richard
Dear Dr. Miller, I appreciate your email. Please consider making Dr Belser
aware of my comment; I think that would be helpful. My lines were prompted
by e-mails from several colleagues upset by Dr. Belser's incorrect claims,
such as that Stan “still writes about homosexuality until very recently
as sexual deviancy, as something that can be cured …”.
I respect Dr. Belser's right to express his views, but he should know that they
are not supported by facts.
Kind regards PG
As you know, I too am a big advocate for this work and healing in groups and on retreats and the current model of regulated practice here in Colorado makes that difficult. I hope to see that change as there is so much medicine in connection, community and shared experiences and support