Chemical adventurers: the science of the mind has a long, colourful history of psychedelic exploration

An article has been published on The Conversation website titled “Chemical adventurers: the science of the mind has a long, colourful history of psychedelic exploration.” The article provides an overview of a recently published booked titled “Psychonauts: Drugs and the making of the modern mind” which looks at the rich history of psychoactive drug use in western culture. Sigmund Freud famously self-administered cocaine, and at one point recommended it as a treatment for opiate dependence. Poet William James was fond of nitrous oxide, with many of his poems hinting at the dissociative effects that nitrous is known to produce. In the mid-19^th century, hashish became popular in France where it was seen as exotic and bohemian. This fascinating article helps to give some context to the current revival of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic, and the ways that western cultures have encountered exotic substances which often leads to their commodification and commercialisation.

Go to “Chemical adventurers: the science of the mind has a long, colourful history of psychedelic exploration.”