The shamans had a point. More and more research confirms that hallucinogens like ayahuasca, mushrooms, and LSD, can help change consciousness and heal trauma and mental disorders. The problem is that these substances are either illegal or people feel uncomfortable using them—for understandable reasons. Czech psychiatrist Stanislav Grof had better results treating people with LSD than with any other treatment in the 1960’s. That’s why, when LSD was banned, he searched for an alternative. That led to what Grof calls “holotropic breathing” a powerful tool that can be used to work through past traumas, heal anxiety and depression, gain wisdom, and much more.