The Psychedelic Revolution: Can Hallucinogenic Drugs Transform Medicine?
Overview
July 20, 2022, 4:00 pmFor Americans who came of age in the 1960s, hallucinogenic drugs like LSD and mescaline are inextricably linked to that decadeโs counterculture and guru Timothy Learyโs call to โTurn on, tune in, drop out.โ More recently, studies have shown significant efficacy for hallucinogens in treating a range of psychiatric illnesses, including depression, anxiety, andโironicallyโsubstance use disorders. Beyond recreational micro-dosing and Michael Pollanโs โego dissolution,โ psilocybin may prove the source of a revolution in mental health. This lecture explores the history of these mind-altering substances, the evidence for their therapeutic value, and the complex ethical and legal issues that keep them out of reach of most Americans.