Psychedelic Drugs

Medical research on psychedelic drugs was encouraging in the 1950's and 60's until Timothy Leary, a Harvard professor, and a few of his colleagues began encouraging young people to trip on LSD and drop out of mainstream culture. This direct attack on the establishment and government was particularly threatening because of increasing resistance to the Vietnam war. The quick reaction was outlawing of LSD by the federal government in 1968 with President Nixon later calling Leary "the most dangerous man in America." In subsequent years other psychedelic drugs (PD) were also banned, effectively ending promising research.

The excellent scientific journalist, Michael Pollan, has written a new book describing the history of psychedelics, current research, extensive underground therapeutic illegal usage and his personal experiences with guided trips supervised by experienced underground practitioners. Pollan contributed an article in the NY Times Magazine (May 15, 2018) describing some of the material in this book. One reviewer concluded that LSD is non-addictive and "less harmful to the human body than diet Dr. Pepper."

MRI studies show that brain changes in experienced meditators are the same as those found in people taking a PD. Other research projects have documented:

      67% of smokers have continued to quit smoking one year after a treatment with a PD; this is far better than any other treatment program

      80% of dying people experience real peace in their last months leading some oncologists to demand access to these drugs

      severely depressed patients are often cured or much better following PD therapy after all other current treatment methods have failed

      many alcoholics are able to easily quit and maintain sobriety 

Pollan emphasizes that his excellent personal experience and the results in various conditions are only possible under the guidance of an experienced therapist.

Michael Pollan: HOW TO CHANGE YOUR MIND; What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression and Transcendence