Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Why this book?
For myself, above all — and that may be the best reason to write one. A few years ago, I began compiling notes and discoveries in a text file. Over time, the file grew, the branches multiplied, and it became clear that to truly master these subjects, you have to dig and sort with rigor. This book is the written trace of that process: consolidating knowledge I thought I had, testing it against the act of writing, organizing it so it holds up. If other readers get something out of it, all the better. The genesis, though, is personal.
Who is this book written for?
For two kinds of readers I call A and B — who mirror each other throughout the book. Reader A is living, or considering, an experience with the psychedelic medicines. Reader B accompanies, or wishes to. Each chapter is built so that both readings coexist, with neither taking priority. If you find yourself in both at once, that is by design.
It reads like an encyclopedia...
Yes, I know. It is the natural result of how I work: in a tree structure, in a fairly square-edged way. This book does not tell stories — it is neither a travel narrative nor a spiritual testimony. It is more a guide that lifts the curtain to reveal the machinery of the sacred medicines: the mechanisms, the frameworks, the therapeutic aims. The reader looking for narrative will pass it by. The one who wants to understand how it works, why, and within what container — will find plenty to read.
How does it differ from other books on the subject?
By its central axis: the therapeutic aim being sought, not the substance or the tradition. Most books on the subject are organized around a molecule or a practice. Here, the entry point is different: what is one trying to traverse, transform, integrate? Each chapter then crosses four frames of analysis — Western clinical, Amazonian shamanism, neo-Western circle, solo or dyadic practice — without ranking any of them.
Does this book encourage the use of substances?
No. The stance is strictly descriptive and anthropological. This book prescribes no practice, recommends no substance, and is no substitute for medical or therapeutic care. It documents and analyzes existing practices in their contexts — clinical, traditional, contemporary — with the same rigor and the same distance.
Are the approaches presented legal?
The legal status of these practices varies from country to country and changes quickly — sometimes from one year to the next. The book contextualizes the relevant regulatory frameworks where possible, but this information is indicative. It is up to each reader to verify the legislation in force in their own country before taking any step.
What is the difference between Volume I and Volume II?
Volume I (Plants and molecules for the rites of consciousness) lays the foundations: substances, mechanisms, therapeutic frameworks, aims. It is the cartography. Volume II (Change... is here and now) goes down into the concrete: rites of consciousness, therapies, ceremonies, integration. Less cartography, more terrain. The two volumes are independent but complementary. Volume II is being written, with publication planned for late 2026.
Was AI used in the writing?
Yes and no. It is 2026 — AI is part of my skill set, just like documentary research. I use it for spell-checking, source verification, and sometimes to break out of a frame when a line of thought goes in circles. A precious tool. Never the substance. The editorial choices, the structure, the angle, the positions — that is me. The one steering the work is me.
Where can I order the book?
Volume I is available in paperback on Amazon — see the “Order on Amazon” button above. The contact form below is also there for any question, or to be notified of upcoming releases.
