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Surprising Science

Psychedelic Psychiatry

Despite its social taboo, the use of hallucinogenic drugs in laboratory experiments has a robust history in the treatment of diseases like alcoholism and depression.

Despite its social taboo, the use of hallucinogenic drugs in laboratory experiments has a robust history in the treatment of diseases like alcoholism and depression: “The secret history of psychedelic psychiatry began in the early 1950s, about 10 years after Albert Hofmann discovered the hallucinogenic properties of LSD, and lasted until 1970. It was uncovered by medical historian Erika Dyck, who examined the archives from Canadian mental health researchers and conducted interviews with some of the psychiatrists, patients and nurses involved in the early LSD trials.”


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