Seeing What Is There

“This is a remarkable and riveting book. It interweaves a powerful personal narrative of trauma with insights into psychedelic and MDMA therapy across four countries and six decades. Erica’s description of the damage done by heedless and self-serving psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, including her own parents, is a challenging and disturbing read, and a damning admonishment of entrenched patterns of practice within these professions. A vital read for all involved in the prevention and treatment of complex PTSD, and those interested in optimizing the potential of psychedelics and MDMA as therapy for them.”—David Nutt, DM, FRCP, FRCPsych, FMedSci, DLaw, Edmond J. Safra Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology, Imperial College, and Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Drug Science

“This important memoir critiques psychiatry and the psychedelic movement, exploring trauma, healing, and the ethical challenges of contemporary psychiatry. Through her journey with psilocybin, MDMA, and 5-MeO-DMT, Erica Rex reveals the promise of transformation while advocating for a future where true healing includes social support, equity, and community. Students of psychedelics and psychiatry would do well to read this book.”—Joe Moore, cofounder and CEO of Psychedelics Today

“A mesmerizing combination of personal confession and deep scientific insights. Rex turns many expectations upside down and it is almost impossible to resist her reasoning and the personal voice she brings to it. You cannot finish this book without coming out wiser, better informed, and convinced that she is telling truths that others prefer to hide. Brave, passionate, and beautiful, yet not an easy read. An important book, a whole schooling in itself. Read it; you will not be sorry.”—Jeffrey Masson, psychoanalyst and author of The Assault on Truth and Against Therapy

“An extraordinary, beautifully written account of one woman’s lifelong journey out of unimaginable childhood trauma. Erica Rex exposes the dark heart of modern psychiatry and shows how the promise of psychedelic therapy is being subverted by ego-driven practitioners and pharmaceutical capitalism. Hers is a singular and prophetic voice, summoning the healing power of community in a culture that has pathologized human suffering.”—Stephen Mills, author of Chosen: A Memoir of Stolen Boyhood

Erica Rex is a National Magazine Award–winning writer and advisor to the US Congressional Caucus on Psychedelic Therapies. She contributes widely to discussions on psychedelics and speaks frequently on psychedelic medicine and its value in treating PTSD, CPTSD, and trauma. She spoke at the NIH conference on psychedelics in medicine. Her articles in The New York Times and Scientific American are lauded by pioneers in the field. Her book has been praised by David Nutt, founder of Drug Science, and Joe Moore, founder and CEO of Psychedelics Today. Rex lives in Suffolk, UK, outside London.

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