Perspectives on Science

In this episode of Perspectives, we speak with Benjamin Breen and Jonathan Moreno on the history of psychedelic drugs in America. There is a resurgence of interest in psychedelics in the medical world as possible treatments for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. This resurgence comes after a period during which psychedelic drugs were thought to be dangerous and have no medical value. An earlier perception was more optimistic. Figures such as Margaret Meade and Timothy Leary looked to drugs like peyote and LSD to allay fears, provide insights, broaden cultural perspectives and lead to chemical enlightenment. As mainstream institutions take yet another look, join us to examine the changing legal, medical and cultural perspectives on psychedelic drugs. Benjamin Breen is Associate Professor of history at the University of California, Santa Cruz. His second book is Tripping on Utopia: Margaret Meade, the Cold War and the Troubled Birth of Psychedelic Science. In addition to his academic publications, his writing has appeared in the The Washington Post, Paris Review Daily, The Atlantic, Slate, Aeon, The Pacific Standard, The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Public Domain Review, Nautilus, and Lapham’s Quarterly. Jonathan Moreno is the David and Lyn Silfen University Professor Emeritus at University of Pennsylvania, where he works on bioethics, health policy, and the history and sociology of biology and medicine. He is the author of six books and numerous academic papers, and his work as also appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Science, Nature, Slate, Politico, The Hill and Foreign Affairs. For more information on this and other topics, please see https://www.chstm.org/video/77474 Recorded on December 10, 2024.

Elena Conis, a writer and historian of medicine at UC Berkeley, dives deep into the controversial history of DDT as a 'miracle' pesticide and its harmful effects. She discusses the challenges historians face in conveying complex narratives to wider audiences and the ongoing skepticism about vaccines. Conis emphasizes the importance of public trust in science and the need to address social justice in discussions about toxic chemicals. Her insights reflect on the necessity of bridging academic work with meaningful public engagement.

In October 2022, the University of Pennsylvania HSS Department commemorated it's 50th anniversary, delayed two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over two days, alumni, faculty, and current students gathered to discuss the department's history, its contributions to the field and new directions scholarship might take. In this episode: Chair: Cameron Brinitzer USC-Berggruen Fellow Moderator: Sebastián Gil-Riaño Assistant Professor, HSS Lynn Nyhart Robert E. Kohler Professor of History of Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison John Tresch Professor and Mellon Chair, Warburg Institute Jeremy Vetter Associate Professor, Department of History, University of Arizona Joanna Radin Associate Professor of History of Medicine and History, Yale University Mary Mitchell Assistant Professor, Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies, University of Toronto For more information on this and other topics, please see https://www.chstm.org/video/153

In October 2022, the University of Pennsylvania HSS Department commemorated it's 50th anniversary, delayed two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over two days, alumni, faculty, and current students gathered to discuss the department's history, its contributions to the field and new directions scholarship might take. In this episode: Introduction by David Cole Science History Institute Moderator: Jeffrey L. Sturchio HSS PhD alum, and former chairman and CEO at Rabin Martin Arnold Thackray HSS Department Founder and Science History Institute Founder For more information on this and other topics, please see https://www.chstm.org/video/153

In October 2022, the University of Pennsylvania HSS Department commemorated it's 50th anniversary, delayed two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over two days, alumni, faculty, and current students gathered to discuss the department's history, its contributions to the field and new directions scholarship might take. In this episode: Chair: Leah Samples PhD Candidate Moderator: Robert Aronowitz Walter H. and Leonore C. Annenberg Professor in the Social Sciences, HSS Rosemary A. Stevens Professor, DeWitt Wallace Distinguished Scholar, Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS Professor Emerita Steven Feierman HSS Professor Emeritus Mary Fissell Inaugural J. Mario Molina Professor in the History of Medicine, Department of the History of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University Dominique Tobbell Centennial Distinguished Professor of Nursing, University of Virginia School of Nursing Eram Alam Assistant Professor, Department of History of Science, Harvard University Jessica Martucci Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies, HSS For more information on this and other topics, please see https://www.chstm.org/video/153

In October 2022, the University of Pennsylvania HSS Department commemorated it's 50th anniversary, delayed two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over two days, alumni, faculty, and current students gathered to discuss the department's history, its contributions to the field and new directions scholarship might take. In this episode: Chair: Zachary Loeb PhD Candidate, HSS Moderator: Elly Truitt Associate Professor, HSS Ruth Schwartz Cowan HSS Professor Emerita Deborah Fitzgerald Professor of the History of Technology, MIT Amy Slaton Professor, Department of History, Drexel University Stephanie Dick Assistant Professor, School of Communication, Simon Fraser University Whitney Laemmli Assistant Professor, Department of History, Carnegie Mellon University For more information on this and other topics, please see https://www.chstm.org/video/153

In October 2022, the University of Pennsylvania HSS Department commemorated it's 50th anniversary, delayed two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over two days, alumni, faculty, and current students gathered to discuss the department's history, its contributions to the field and new directions scholarship might take. In this episode: Chair: M. Susan Lindee Department Chair, Janice and Julian Bers Professor, HSS Steven Shapin Franklin L. Ford Research Professor of the History of Science, Harvard University Keith Wailoo Henry Putnam University Professor of History and Public Affairs, Department of History, Princeton University For more information on this and other topics, please see https://www.chstm.org/video/153

Historians of medicine often express the desire for their work to reach broader audiences; however, popular platforms—be they television, radio, podcasts, corporate or social media—can reach many but touch few. History of Medicine Week is dedicated to exploring the risks, benefits, experiences, and best practices for historians of medicine to make meaningful connections beyond familiar scholarly communities. This episode: Scottie Buehler Moderator Sam Houston State University Rana Hogarth Innate project, Science History Institute & History and Sociology of Science Department, University of Pennsylvania Sarah Handley-Cousins Executive Editor, Nursing Clio & Department of History, University of Buffalo Jeremy Greene Director of the Institute of the History of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University For more information on this and other topics, please see https://www.chstm.org/video/200

Historians of medicine often express the desire for their work to reach broader audiences; however, popular platforms—be they television, radio, podcasts, corporate or social media—can reach many but touch few. History of Medicine Week is dedicated to exploring the risks, benefits, experiences, and best practices for historians of medicine to make meaningful connections beyond familiar scholarly communities. This episode: Katie Dayani Director of Library Services & Archives, Children’s Mercy Kansas City Sarah Naramore Northwest Missouri State University & History of Science Society Johanna Schoen History Department, Rutgers University & Advisory Council for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center For more information on this and other topics, please see https://www.chstm.org/video/200

Historians of medicine often express the desire for their work to reach broader audiences; however, popular platforms—be they television, radio, podcasts, corporate or social media—can reach many but touch few. History of Medicine Week is dedicated to exploring the risks, benefits, experiences, and best practices for historians of medicine to make meaningful connections beyond familiar scholarly communities. This episode: Dana Landress Moderator University of Wisconsin Vanessa Heggie Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham Jessica Martucci Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania Lauren Small Center for Medical Humanities and Social Medicine, Johns Hopkins University For more information on this and other topics, please see https://www.chstm.org/video/200