Stanislav Grof Biography

Stanislav Grof is renowned for his pioneering work in psychedelic psychotherapy, particularly his early studies on LSD and its profound effects on the psyche. Building upon his research observations and the theory of birth trauma, Grof developed a comprehensive framework for pre-natal and transpersonal psychology. This theoretical model meticulously maps powerful emotional and experiential states, including those induced by LSD, onto early fetal and neonatal development, creating an intricate 'cartography' of the deep human psyche. Following the legal restrictions on LSD, Grof discovered that similar profound states of consciousness could be accessed through specific breathing techniques, a practice he continues to develop today as Holotropic Breathwork.