Acid Test

Acid Test covers the complete history of psychedelic medicine from the 1950s through to the modern MAPS clinical trials, anchored around three real people whose stories intersect in powerful ways. Shroder's approach is narrative journalism at its best — he lets the science and personal experiences speak for themselves without preaching. The book is especially strong on the MDMA-assisted therapy trials for PTSD and the decades-long regulatory battle that Rick Doblin has fought to make psychedelic-assisted therapy a reality.

What makes this book stand out is its balance and accessibility. Unlike many psychedelic books written by advocates, Shroder is a mainstream journalist who approaches the subject with curiosity rather than conviction. The endorsement from Stanislav Grof — who called it "a breath of fresh air after half a century of general hysteria" — speaks to its credibility within the field. Kirkus Reviews praised its clear-eyed account and perceptive criticism of the war on drugs. The main limitation is that it predates the most recent clinical trial results (2014 publication), so readers should supplement with more current sources.

For microdosing practitioners, Acid Test provides essential context for understanding why psychedelic substances were banned, how clinical research is proving their therapeutic value, and what the future of psychedelic-assisted therapy looks like. Understanding this bigger picture helps microdosers articulate why evidence-based approaches to psychedelic use matter, and frames microdosing within the broader movement toward psychedelic medicine.