New Books in Psychology

Erika Dyck, "Psychedelic Prophets: The Letters of Aldous Huxley and Humphry Osmond" (McGill-Queen's UP, 2018)

Dec 30, 2023

Guest Erika Dyck discusses her book on the correspondence of Aldous Huxley and Humphry Osmond, exploring drugs, addiction, death, and the psychedelic renaissance. This collection of letters raises questions about medicines, the mind, and perceptions of reality.

56:54

Episode guests

Aldous Huxley

Erika Dyck

Humphry Osmond

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The correspondence between Aldous Huxley and Humphry Osmond provides insights into the intersections of psychedelics and mental health, challenging traditional notions of addiction and recovery.

The book Psychedelic Prophets, the Letters of Aldous Huxley and Humphry Osmond, illuminates the historical context of psychedelics and their potential for end-of-life care, palliative care, and addiction treatment.

Deep dives

The Close Friendship between Aldous Huxley and Humphrey Osmond

The letters between Aldous Huxley and Humphrey Osmond reveal a deep and close friendship that developed over the course of ten years. Their correspondence covered a wide range of topics, including psychedelics, the nature of mind, human potential, addiction, and death and dying. The letters provide insights into the changing world of the Cold War and their personal experiences as British men living abroad. Their bond extended beyond intellectual pursuits as they became like family to each other.

Introduction

2min

Psychedelic Prophets: The Letters of Aldous Huxley and Humphry Osmond

16min

Exploring Delightful and Articulate Conversations Through Letters

1min

Exploring the Correspondence and Friendship of Humphrey Osman and Aldous Huxley

27min

LSD for Addiction Treatment and Palliative Care

7min

Advice for Young Researchers and Writers, and the Importance of Supporting Other Voices

3min

Today I talked with historian Erika Dyck about Aldous Huxley, Humphry Osmond and their correspondence over a ten year period. Psychedelic Prophets: The Letters of Aldous Huxley and Humphry Osmond (McGill-Queen's University Press, 2018) is a collection of letters which were carefully curated by Erika and Cynthia Carson Bisbee, Paul Bisbee, and Patrick Farrell. During our discussion, Erika recounts the special relationship between two intellectual juggernauts, Huxley and Osmond, and their discussions about drugs, addiction, and death and dying. This important set of letters raises fascinating questions about medicines, the "psychedelic renaissance," the nature of the mind, and perceptions of reality.

Dyck is the author of Psychedelic Psychiatry: LSD From Clinic to Campus (Johns Hopkins UP, 2010) as well as Culture's Catalyst: Historical Encounters with Peyote and the Native American Church in Canada (Manitoba, 2017).

Lucas Richert is an associate professor in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He studies intoxicating substances and the pharmaceutical industry. He also examines the history of mental health.

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