The ego trip psychedelic toads, a trail of deaths, and the guru who peddled transcendence
"The riveting story of a charismatic doctor who evangelized a transformative psychedelic treatment, leading to the global spread of "the god molecule" while leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. The Sonoran Desert is a place of extremes: inhospitable climate, rampant cartel violence, severe dr...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Books Print Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
New York :
Doubleday,
2026.
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| Edition: | First Doubleday hardcover edition. |
| Subjects: | |
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| Summary: | "The riveting story of a charismatic doctor who evangelized a transformative psychedelic treatment, leading to the global spread of "the god molecule" while leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. The Sonoran Desert is a place of extremes: inhospitable climate, rampant cartel violence, severe drug addiction, and, strangely, a humble toad that possesses an unbelievable power. In 2012, a Mexican doctor claimed to have revived an ancient, forgotten Mesoamerican ritual that involved smoking the Sonoran Desert toad's toxic secretions, which he contended could cure intractable drug addiction and other mental health disorders, while temporarily dissolving the ego and rocketing users to transcendence. But as he gained international notoriety as an administer of "toad medicine," harrowing stories of nightmarish trips and even deaths began to surface, complicating the picture of a benevolent physician rehabilitating an indigenous cultural practice. What lies beneath the surface is a tale of cult-like manipulation and the unshakeable allure of psychedelics. Circling around this powerful substance is a bizarre set of interested parties: psychonauts seeking spiritual awakening; pharmaceutical companies who are racing to cash in on the drug's psychiatric potential; opportunistic toad collectors chasing after dwindling populations in cartel territory; and indigenous groups integrating toad smoking into their cultural practices both to attract tourist dollars, and to treat the drug addiction that is rife in their communities. With sensitivity, insight, and verve, Kimon de Greef draws us in to this kaleidoscopic world and unpacks the mysterious and exhilarating story of this drug. Gripping, deeply reported, and full of twists and turns, The Ego Trip is a chronicle of the rise and fall of a messianic figure, but it is also an investigation into a larger truth about our age of spiritual desolation. No matter the lengths we go to in order to attain a more cosmic understanding, this story illustrates that we will forever remain inescapably human"-- Provided by publisher. |
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| Physical Description: | 314 pages : illustrations, maps ; 25cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| ISBN: | 9780385550246 0385550243 |
| Author Notes: |
