Chatter: Margaret Mead, Psychedelics, and the CIA with Benjamin Breen
Mar 14, 2024
auto_awesome
Discover the intriguing connections between Margaret Mead, psychedelics, and the CIA during the Cold War era. Uncover the intertwining history of narco synthesis, indigenous psychedelics, and therapeutic hypnosis. Explore the controversial MKUltra program and the use of LSD for intelligence work. Reflect on the resurgence of psychedelic research and therapy, and the potential societal impact of these substances.
Margaret Mead was instrumental in the history of psychedelic science, advocating for using science to solve global issues.
Psychedelic therapy originated in the 1920s-30s, focusing on addressing trauma and exploring the unconscious mind.
During WWII, the OSS delved into psychological warfare strategies, including truth drug research and hypnosis.
Gregory Bateson, recruited by the OSS, played a key role in understanding psychological warfare elements during WWII.
Deep dives
Margaret Mead's Impact on Psychedelic Science
Margaret Mead, a prominent cultural anthropologist, played a pivotal role in the history of psychedelic science during World War II and the Cold War. As a leading advocate of applied science, she believed in using science to solve global problems and prevent future conflicts. Mead's influence stemmed from her strong will and principled nature, which made her both admired and polarizing. She emphasized the application of science to address major world issues, positioning herself as instrumental in shaping the utopian aspirations of early psychedelic therapy pioneers. Mead's interactions with key figures in the scientific community and her deep commitment to leveraging science for societal betterment made her a central figure in the development of psychedelic therapy.
The Origins and Evolution of Psychedelic Therapy
Psychedelic therapy, although not termed 'psychedelic' until 1957, had its roots in the 1920s and 30s, focusing on using drugs to surface repressed memories, heal trauma, and explore the unconscious mind. Scientists believed that hypnosis and various drugs could aid in mental healing and excavation of the subconscious. Early psychological interest in psychedelics was influenced by World War I experiences, particularly evident in therapeutic approaches for war veterans suffering from PTSD-like symptoms. The utilization of drugs to address trauma and psychological wounds laid the foundation for contemporary psychedelic therapy endeavors.
The OSS and Psychological Warfare Initiatives
During World War II, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) delved into psychological warfare strategies, including truth drug research and hypnosis for intelligence purposes. The OSS, a precursor to the CIA, embarked on missions to understand enemy psychology and develop innovative techniques for interrogation and information gathering. Scientists and anthropologists like Gregory Bateson played key roles in advancing psychological tactics within the intelligence community, shaping the early foundations of modern psychological warfare techniques.
Gregory Bateson's Involvement in World War II and Intelligence Operations
Gregory Bateson, a renowned anthropologist, was recruited by the OSS during World War II to engage in psychological assessments and operations, including studying hypnosis for intelligence purposes. Bateson, along with other prominent figures such as Julia Child, participated in rigorous OSS training that tested individuals under pressure and prepared them for clandestine fieldwork. Bateson's contributions to understanding Japanese psychology in occupied territories and his insights into psychological warfare elements highlights his role in pioneering intelligence techniques that influenced subsequent Cold War intelligence operations.
Psychedelic Therapy in a Historical Context
The podcast delves into the historical context of psychedelic therapy, situating it within the broader story of understanding human psychology and consciousness. It highlights the involvement of agencies like the OSS and the CIA in studying people's minds during the Cold War, emphasizing the importance of psychology in shaping post-World War II strategies.
MKUltra and Psychedelic Research
The episode explores the infamous MKUltra program, clarifying misconceptions and providing insights into its origins and key figures. It discusses how MKUltra was just one chapter in a larger story of research on the mind and consciousness that dates back to the 1940s. The program's controversial experiments and the involvement of significant figures like Harold Abramson are scrutinized.
Impact on Contemporary Psychedelic Research
The conversation extends to the current renaissance in psychedelic research and therapy, highlighting the potential medical and therapeutic uses of psychedelics. The FDA's consideration of authorizing psilocybin for PTSD treatment and the broader implications of this renewal in psychedelic research are explored. The episode raises questions about the future commercialization and cultural impact of psychedelics as they gain more acceptance.
If you’re listening to this podcast, chances are you’ve heard stories about the CIA’s experiments with drugs, particularly LSD, during the infamous MKUltra program. But you may not know that the characters involved in that dubious effort connect to one of the 20th Century’s most famous and revered scientists, the anthropologist Margaret Mead.
Shane Harris talked with historian Benjamin Breen about this new book, Tripping on Utopia, which tells the story of how Mead and her close circle launched a movement to expand human consciousness, decades before the counterculture of the 1960s popularized, and ultimately stigmatized, psychedelic drugs. Mead and Gregory Bateson--her collaborator and one-time husband--are at the center of a story that includes the WWII-era Office of Strategic Services, a shady cast of CIA agents and operatives, Beat poets, and the pioneers of the Information Age.
Psychedelics are having a renaissance, with federal regulators poised to legalize their use - Breen’s book is an engrossing history that explores the roots of that movement and how it influenced and collided with the U.S. national security establishment.
Books, movies, and other points of interest discussed in this conversation include:
