This was a tough read, but such an important one. I can’t begin to wrap my head around the trauma Alex endured—his vivid and raw recollections brought me to tears. It takes so much courage to speak out against your abuser, and I admire him for doing it so publicly.

What really stood out to me was how he was able to sit in his pain and keep pushing himself to dig deeper. His writing was so immersive I felt like I was sitting right there with him during his sessions, experiencing it alongside him.

Trauma, repressed memories, SSRIs, and struggling to find real help are things I am unfortunately very familiar with. Before this, I’d never even heard of psychedelic therapy, much less thought about it as an option. Just knowing it exists is huge. It might not be for everyone, but I know it could help so many.

As a veteran, I feel strongly that more vets need to hear about this. The VA is often quick to throw pills at us and offer surface-level talk therapy, leaving many of us feeling abandoned by the system. It’s frustrating and disheartening, and too many veterans simply give up on seeking help. Psychedelic therapy could be a game-changer for so many in our community.

I’ll be recommending this book to my friends, especially other vets. Alex’s story carries such an important message, and I hope psychedelic therapy becomes more widely known and accepted over time.

Thank you for sharing your story, Alex. It couldn’t have been easy, but it’s going to make a difference.

Thank you for this ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op.

Reading about other people’s experiences with psychedelic therapy is something I would nearly consider part of my integration at this point. I have never been able to find the resources to work with MDMA but reading about someone else’s experiences on therapies I have tried always makes me feel like I’m not the only one who struggles with words around what it’s really like. Even so, I can *feel* what the author is trying to explain. This book had some seriously heavy subject matter but drew some very interesting parallels to the mind/body connection. While reading what the author experienced was incredibly difficult, his lack of sugarcoating the experience really helped convey what he was going through while doing medicinal sessions. Trauma work is insanely difficult but psychedelic treatment has worked so well for so many people and the only way to make it more mainstream is for more people like this author to talk about their experiences and how this medicine has helped them reclaim their lives.

This book was incredible. I think psychedelic therapy needs to be talked about more because it is so powerful. I truly loved and hated reading this story — thank you to the author for sharing it with the world. I felt so many things and empathized with the author the whole way.

Alex Abraham's Trauma and Ecstasy is a profoundly moving and courageous memoir that shines a light on the transformative power of psychedelic-assisted therapy in healing deep-seated trauma. With unflinching honesty, Abraham recounts his journey of uncovering and addressing the abuse that shaped his life, a path that traditional therapies and medical approaches had failed to navigate effectively.

The book is raw and emotional, laying bare the pain of childhood abuse and the complex aftermath it leaves on one's mental and physical well-being. Abraham’s writing is both vulnerable and powerful, making the reader feel every moment of despair, frustration, and, ultimately, hope. His detailed exploration of psychedelic therapy offers an insightful and accessible introduction to this emerging field, making the book not only a memoir but also a guide for others seeking alternative healing methods.

One of the most striking aspects of Trauma and Ecstasy is the humanity and resilience Abraham conveys. His willingness to share the darkest moments of his life—and the courage it took to confront them—is inspiring. While the subject matter is undeniably difficult, it is also an essential narrative for those who have experienced trauma and are searching for a path forward.

The book also critiques the medical and societal systems that often fail abuse survivors, highlighting the dismissiveness and inadequacies Abraham encountered along the way. However, it is not without hope: the memoir leaves readers with a sense of possibility and the belief that even the deepest wounds can begin to heal with the right tools and support.

Final Thoughts:
Trauma and Ecstasy is not an easy read, but it is an essential one. Abraham's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the potential of alternative therapies to bring healing where traditional methods fall short. This book will resonate deeply with those who have faced trauma and those curious about the potential of psychedelics in therapy.

Thank you to the author for the bravery it took to share this story, and for providing hope to others who may find solace and inspiration in these pages.