The Psychedelic Movement

The discovery of psychedelics spawned several new age movements related to how Americans view spirituality. The development of man-made psychedelics altered the counter-culture movement and left an enduring influence on the way Americans approached spirituality. The Psychedelic Movement left an imprint on America due to the transcendent effects of the drug, exchanged knowledge due to its medicinal use, and the creativity of the drug inspired among America’s counter culture.

Since the use of psychedelics brought in a variety of new and fascinating effects, it left a trademark on America and its culture. First off, Psychedelics also known as LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) is a substance that causes alterations in awareness and perception, in

First off, medicinal experimentation with LSD began in the 1950s. Since the drug produced a variety of effects throughout the body, psychiatrists came up with the idea to try and use it on humans with disorders. In the newspaper, “Mental Health’s New(Old) Secret Weapon: Psychedelics”, The writer states “In another study, 12 participants diagnosed with late-stage & corresponding anxiety were put in a randomized trial in which half received psilocybin- assisted therapy and half-received a placebo. Those that were given psilocybin showed a “significant reduction” in anxiety as well as improved mood. Nearly all reported zero side effects.” Medicinal use of psychedelics gave individuals with disorders a bunch of benefits along with zero negative side effects. The fact that psychedelics helped individuals improve their health, doctors became much more motivated to continue their research on the substance. In the article “Could Psychedelic Drugs be good medicine for some? Preliminary research suggests potential benefits for psychiatric disorders, substance abuse” by Mozes, the author states “Psychedelic Drugs such as LSD may benefit patients with hard-to-treat anxiety, addiction or post-traumatic stress disorder.” and “More than 80 percent of PTSD patients who underwent two-sessions of psychotherapy coupled with MDMA experienced a more than 30% drop in the severity of their symptoms, compared with 25% of those who didn’t take MDMA.” LSD definitely helps people with disorders and that’s why it made such an impact on America. Although psychedelics helps individuals cope with disorders, it also helps people overcome alcoholism. In the article, “Why Doctors Can’t Give You LSD (But Maybe They Should)” by Ferro, the author states “In 1953, a pair of Canadian researchers tried to use high doses of LSD to scare alcoholics into sobriety, but discovered it instead produced a kind of