Psychedelics and Their Historical Journey

The history of psychedelics in America is framed within three main phases, starting with the CIA's involvement in the 1950s and the notorious MKUltra program, which utilized LSD as part of its experiments. This phase highlights the initial elite use of psychedelics, where drugs like LSD seeped into high society through notable figures, emphasizing the duality of the CIA's intentions for mind control versus the growing interest from progressive circles seeking mental liberation. The second phase coincides with the 1960s counterculture movement, where psychedelics became symbols of mental freedom, leading to a broader societal engagement with these substances. However, as restrictions increased, particularly with the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, psychedelics were pushed underground, diminishing their use for decades and significantly altering public perception and accessibility.