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The Big Story

The strange origin story of psychedelics in Saskatchewan

Sep 29, 2024
Discover how Saskatchewan became an unlikely hub for psychedelic research in the 1950s. Unearth the groundbreaking experiments at the Weyburn Mental Hospital, where doctors delved into altered states for therapeutic purposes. Explore the promising use of psychedelics like LSD in addiction recovery, offering transformative insights. Delve into the cultural and economic factors that led to their criminalization and the recent renaissance in mental health treatment. It's a captivating journey through the evolving landscape of psychedelics and psychiatry.
25:22

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Quick takeaways

  • In the 1950s, Saskatchewan, particularly the Weyburn Mental Hospital, became a hub for psychedelic research aimed at understanding mental illness treatment.
  • The shifting public perception and regulatory changes in the late 1960s hindered further psychedelic research, but recent trends suggest a resurgence in therapeutic interest.

Deep dives

Historical Context of Psychedelic Research in Saskatchewan

In the 1950s, Saskatchewan became a focal point for groundbreaking psychedelic research, particularly at the Weyburn Mental Hospital. This facility, described as a large asylum, housed patients under challenging conditions, often leading to high rates of patient mortality. Humphrey Osman, a British-trained psychiatrist, arrived at the hospital in 1951 and was determined to change the prevailing treatment methods for mental disorders. He sought to explore the use of psychedelics such as LSD and mescaline, not just for their therapeutic potential but also as a means to understand the experiences of patients with mental illnesses.

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