Blenner, Mathias Nielsen

Bruhn, Christian Hykkelbjerg

Kystgaard, Jacob

Østergaard, Clemens Stubbe

In this study we have examined the historical context of psychedelic drugs - specifically LSD and psilocybin - since their re-entry into western society in 1943, when Albert Hoffman first experimented with LSD. We try to define the psychedelic experience by using a case study of Michael Pollan’s LSD trip described in his 2018 book, How to Change Your Mind, against the writings of biochemist and psychedelic thinker Albert Hoffman; psychiatrist and psychedelic proponent, Timothy Leary; and lastly, psychiatrist and lifelong researcher of psychedelics and similar expanded states of consciousness and their effect in psychotherapy, Stanislav Grof: a comparative analysis of Pollan’s trip report and the interpretation of psychedelic manifestations by Hoffman, Leary, and Grof.We also use the theories of Anna Green on the subject of “collective memory”. This is used to explain the socio-cultural circumstances of the illegalization of psychedelics in 1968, and how the negative collective memory of psychedelics came to be, despite the very positive results from psychiatrists in the western world since the early 1950s.Lastly, we will conclude and discuss how to define the highly personal and influential experience of the psychedelic trip.In this study we have examined the historical context of psychedelic drugs - specifically LSD and psilocybin - since their re-entry into western society in 1943, when Albert Hoffman first experimented with LSD. We try to define the psychedelic experience by using a case study of Michael Pollan’s LSD trip described in his 2018 book, How to Change Your Mind, against the writings of biochemist and psychedelic thinker Albert Hoffman; psychiatrist and psychedelic proponent, Timothy Leary; and lastly, psychiatrist and lifelong researcher of psychedelics and similar expanded states of consciousness and their effect in psychotherapy, Stanislav Grof: a comparative analysis of Pollan’s trip report and the interpretation of psychedelic manifestations by Hoffman, Leary, and Grof.We also use the theories of Anna Green on the subject of “collective memory”. This is used to explain the socio-cultural circumstances of the illegalization of psychedelics in 1968, and how the negative collective memory of psychedelics came to be, despite the very positive results from psychiatrists in the western world since the early 1950s.Lastly, we will conclude and discuss how to define the highly personal and influential experience of the psychedelic trip

Psychedelics: Problem child or wonder child?

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Roskilde Universitet