Honor Thy Daughter, a True Story of Psychedelic Healing
by Marilyn Howell, Ed.D.
Can psychedelic therapy help ease the suffering of those struggling with terminal illness? As psychedelic therapy reenters the mainstream vocabulary, some people are speaking out about the urgent need for more research into its risks and benefits.
In Honor Thy Daughter, the latest book from the MAPS Press, Harvard-educated teacher Marilyn Howell, Ed.D., tells the story of her family's search for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing as her daughter struggles with terminal cancer. Their journey ultimately takes them into the hands of an anonymous therapist who offers the family hope and healing through psychedelic psychotherapy.
As Howell writes, when it comes to reminding people of the importance of psychedelic research, "stories of patients who have been helped by psychedelic therapy may be the most powerful tool we have." Honor Thy Daughter is one of those stories.
Tune in tomorrow, Tuesday, May 16 at 8:00 a.m. PST to Boston-area radio show "1550 Today" to hear Marilyn Howell discuss her decision to seek out psychedelic therapy for her daughter (1550 WNTN Boston, or listen live online).
Howell's story has already changed how the world thinks of psychedelic therapy. It first appeared in a 2006 Boston Globe article in which her identity was concealed. She remained anonymous in her first-hand account in the Spring 2006 edition of the MAPS Bulletin, but came out of the closet when Playboy interviewed her for their 2010 feature article on "The Psychedelic Renaissance." Last February, psychedelic therapy hit the cover of O: The Oprah Magazine after the magazine's senior editor learned about Howell's story and decided to try it herself.
Transpersonal psychiatrist Stanislav Grof, M.D., calls Honor Thy Daughter a "medical odyssey." Spiritual teacher Ram Dass writes, "One of the most important fruits of the 21st century will be the acceptance of the therapeutic use of psychedelics…to ease physical and existential pain and to provide a deeper understanding and acceptance of death. Honor Thy Daughter provides a glimpse of this use." Media scholar and author Jean Kilbourne calls it "a brave and beautiful book."
Honor Thy Daughter is the first book in a growing genre of true-to-life medical dramas that take an honest look at the risks and benefits of psychedelic therapy. In his upcoming book Noe, psychiatrist Phil Wolfson, M.D., shares his experience with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for his son who struggled with leukemia. Wolfson will be discussing his own book tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. PST on Dr. Richard Miller's "Mind Body Health & Politics" radio show (KZYX Northern California, or live online).
Visit the Honor Thy Daughter website for excerpts, reviews, background, and educational resources. Also check out the Spring 2011 special edition of the MAPS Bulletin on "Psychedelics and the Mind/Body Connection" for a special sneak preview.
The stunning cover art was generously donated by internationally acclaimed visionary artist A. Andrew Gonzalez.
Honor Thy Daughter is available exclusively from MAPS (and electronically on the Amazon Kindle). 100% of the profits from the sale of this book will be used to fund psychedelic and medical marijuana research and education.
