The pain involved in losing a child is arguably the most difficult experience that a human being can face, as it seems to go against the flow of nature.

Although we all must face our own death eventually, being confronted with life's impermanence at an early age can be far more difficult than at the end of a full life span, and watching helplessly as one's child loses their embodied form is devastating beyond what words can express. This is why, out of love and compassion, we will all do almost anything to help ease the suffering of our children when they are dying--including giving them illegal drugs.

The Santa Cruz Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)--which supports medical research into the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs--recently published a powerful new book by mind-body educator Marilyn Howell that shatters Western culture's preconceptions about how to approach death and dying. Howell's beautifully-written book Honor Thy Daughter repeatedly brought tears to my eyes and, although often difficult to read, it allowed me to appreciate my own life in profound new ways. It also highlighted just how vital and important psychedelic research is, and how ill-conceived our current drug laws are.

Honor Thy Daughter was one of the most powerful and important books that I've ever read. I think that every human being should read this valuable book, as the lessons are so universal. Howell did an amazing service for so many people by writing this extraordinarily intimate book and sharing her inspiring personal story. It was painful to read a lot of it, of course, absolutely heart-wrenching to hear what she went through--but the end came so beautifully that all the suffering seemed to transform into an exquisitely precious gift.

When I spoke with Marilyn about why she wrote the book, she said, "My primary motivation was to let people know about the potential of MDMA and psychedelic drugs in general--in a good and and positive way--and how they can be used in a therapeutic environment. I had run into so much prejudiced, biased misinformation from doctors, and I thought that Mara's story would help dispel some of that misinformation."

Marilyn's daughter Mara was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer at the age of 32, which quickly progressed into Stage 4, despite trying every conventional and unconventional medical treatment available. Mara's courage and determination to battle the cancer are certainly inspirational and admirable, but the cancer's progression was simply unstoppable, and the strong-willed determination that kept her alive began to prevent her from accepting her impending death and come to peace with it.

As the pain and suffering grew, and the end drew near, Mara and Marilyn considered their limited options, and decided to explore the possibilities of psychedelic psychotherapy. Early LSD studies with advanced-stage cancer patients showed that LSD-assisted psychotherapy could alleviate symptoms of anxiety, tension, depression, sleep disturbances, psychological withdrawal, and even severe physical pain. As I have reported in previous columns, MAPS is currently supporting research into how LSD and MDMA can be helpful in treating end-of-life anxiety.