Psychedelic drug

{{bronze}}{{Drugs}}A '''psychedelic drug''' is one that induces a lucid altered state of consciousness. Psychedelics are a subset of hallucinogenic drugs along with dissociatives (which produce feelings of detachment, e.g. [[Near-death experience#Ketamine|ketamine]]) and deliriants (which produce a state of confusion, e.g. ''Atropa belladonna'').<ref>{{wpa|Hallucinogen}}</ref> Notable psychedelic substances include:
{{collist|2|
*''[[Purported legal highs#Amanita muscaria|Amanita muscaria]]'' (containing muscimol and the ibotenic acid)
*[[Ayahuasca]] (and its active chemical ''N, N''-Dimethyltryptamine or DMT)
*Plants from the Apocynaceae family (and their active chemical {{wpl|Ibogaine}})
*[[LSD]] (contained in [[Purported legal highs#Morning glory seeds and Hawaiian baby Woodrose seeds|morning glory seeds and Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds]])
*[[MDMA]] (ecstasy){{efn|Some people may not think of MDMA as a psychedelic because it does not cause hallucinations, but it binds to the same receptors (5-HT<sub>2A</sub> in particular) as other psychedelic drugs do and is in the same class of chemicals as MDA, which does have a "mild psychedelic component".<ref>[https://www.erowid.org/library/books_online/pihkal/pihkal109.shtml #109 MDMA] by Alexander & Ann Shulgin, ''PIHKAL'' via ''Erowid''.</ref><ref>[https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0269881120920420 Beyond ecstasy: Alternative entactogens to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine with potential applications in psychotherapy] by Hans Emanuel Oeri (2020) ''Journal of Psychopharmacology'' doi:10.1177/0269881120920420.</ref>}}
*[[Peyote]] (and its active chemical mescaline)
*[[Psilocybin]] (from magic mushrooms)
}}
From a [[Biochemistry|biochemical]] perspective, most of the psychedelics are in the chemical classes tryptamines, phenethylamines, or lysergamides, which bind to the serotonin 5-HT<sub>2A</sub> receptors.<ref>''Basic Neurochemistry: Molecular, Cellular and Medical Aspects'' by George Siegel et al. (2005) Academic Press. 7<sup>th</sup> edition. ISBN 012088397X.</ref>

==Possible therapeutic uses==
It is important to note that these studies have deficiencies of one sort or another ([[Sample size|small sample sizes]],<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5603818/ The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs: Past, Present, and Future] by Robin L. Carhart-Harris1 & Guy M. Goodwin (2017) ''Neuropsychopharmacology'' 42(11): 2105–2113. doi:10.1038/npp.2017.84.</ref> potential for [[publication bias]], [[Randomized controlled trial|issues with control groups]] and [[Double blind|blinding]]), and hence it is difficult to conclude anything more than the results are suggestive. It is also important to note that the studies are in clinical settings with professional mental health experts present, who often additionally give [[psychological]] counseling in addition to drug treatment. Taking psychedelic drugs as part of self-treatment is ill-advised, particularly because there is evidence that LSD can induce [[schizophrenia]] in those who are prone to the disorder.<ref>[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6870484/ LSD psychosis or LSD-induced schizophrenia? A multimethod inquiry] by Michael M. Vardy & Stanley R. Kay (1983) ''Arch. Gen. Psychiatry'' 40(8):877-83. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1983.01790070067008.</ref><ref>[https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/78wwxq/is-it-a-myth-that-lsd-can-permanently-fry-your-brain Is It a Myth That LSD Can Permanently Fry Your Brain? Pharmacologist David Nichols told me that permanent acid trips make no medical sense.] by Mike Pearl (February 5, 2017, 9:00pm) ''Vice''.</ref>
*Anxiety: psilosybin<ref name=goldberg>[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31931272/ The experimental effects of psilocybin on symptoms of anxiety and depression: A meta-analysis] by Simon B Goldberg et al. (2020) ''Psychiatry Res.'' 284:112749. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112749.</ref>
**Illness-related anxiety: primarily tested with psilocybin<ref name=andersen>[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33125716/ Therapeutic effects of classic serotonergic psychedelics: A systematic review of modern-era clinical studies] by Kristoffer A. A. Andersen et al. (2021) '' Acta Psychiatr. Scand.'' 143(2):101-118. doi:10.1111/acps.13249.</ref>
*Depression: psilosybin<ref name=goldberg/>
**Illness-related depression: primarily tested with psilocybin<ref name=andersen/>
*[[Post-traumatic stress disorder]]: MDMA<ref>[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32931403/ Efficacy of Psychoactive Drugs for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review of MDMA, Ketamine, LSD and Psilocybin] by Tracey Varker et al. (2021) 53(1):85-95. doi:10.1080/02791072.2020.1817639.</ref>

===Microdosing===
There has been recent interest in taking psychelics at below-consciousness-changing doses several times per week, most commonly using LSD or psilocybin. It has been claimed — without evidence — that doing this "can treat anxiety, depression and postmenopausal symptoms; improve creativity and athletic performance; [[Panacea|and do much more]]."<ref name=hu>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/06/22/microdosing-mushrooms-psychedelics-mental-health/ Microdosing psychedelics has benefits, users say. Science isn’t convinced. Some people microdose for better mental health, or personal and spiritual growth. Scientific evidence for microdosing, though, is scarce and has been mixed.] by Jane C. Hu (June 22, 2023 at 6:00 a.m. EDT) ''The Washington Post''.</ref> Other reasons include treatment of [[PTSD]], [[ADHD]], and chronic pain.<ref name=hu/>

There are few scientific studies on microdosing, and the results of such studies that exist are mixed.<ref name=hu/> Harriet de Wit's lab has studied EEG brain signals of people who were microdosing and did find increased brain signals, indicating that there is at least some measurable effect.<ref name=hu/>

There are potential dangers to microdosing however. One study found that some microdosing increased anxiety in some participants.<ref name=hu/> There is also a risk that repeated microdosing will cause increased serotonin levels, and thus potentially cause irreversible valvular heart disease.<ref name=hu/> For that reason, psychopharmacologist Kelan Thomas recommends taking a two-week breaks in microdosing.<ref name=hu/>

==Utopiates for the masses?==
===The beginning was the end===
[[File:Margaret Mead 1951 SLNSW FL16371554.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Mead in 1951]]
The idea that peyote could have both beneficial and deleterious effects on a community was when [[anthropologist]] {{wpl|Margaret Mead}} researched the Native American Church in 1923.<ref name=breen>''Tripping on Utopia: Margaret Mead, the Cold War, and the Troubled Birth of Psychedelic Science'' by Benjamin Breen (2024) Grand Central Publishing. ISBN 1538722372.</ref>{{rp|23-24}}<ref>''The Changing Culture of an Indian Tribe'' by Margaret Mead (1932)</ref> Mead and her then-husband anthropologist {{wpl|Gregory Bateson}} were key members of the {{wpl|Macy conferences}} (1941-1960), which among other things were primary meeting spaces for researchers studying the potential for truth serums and drug-induced [[mind control]].<ref name=breen/>{{rp|49-54}} The {{wpl|Office of Strategic Services||,}} the [[World War II]] agency that became the [[CIA]] was involved with the conferences from the beginning.<ref name=breen/>{{rp|48-49}} Starting in 1948, Bateson began working on psychedelic drugs at the Langley Porter Clinic (which later became the Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute).<ref name=breen/>{{rp|93}}

Researchers had two views of psychedelic drugs from the 1940s onward, as a diagnostic tool for its purported mimicry of schizophrenia and as a possible treatment for societal problems, specifically [[nationalism]] and violence.<ref name=breen/>{{rp|104}} But from 1951 onward, the CIA began experiments with psychedelics on humans that were "a toxic mishmash of amateurism, unchecked megalomania, and simple incompetence."<ref name=breen/>{{rp|119-120}} The CIA experiments became folded into their [[MKULTRA]] program, which started in 1953.

In 1954, Mead wrote in private correspondence her belief that LSD could be used for [[brainwashing]] as well as for "integrative and insight giving" but only "in a responsible experimental spirit."<ref name=breen/>{{rp|152}}

Psychedelic drugs received favorable media coverage in the 1950s and early 1960s, appearing in:
*1955: "Seeking the Magic Mushroom" in ''Life'' magazine<ref>{{wpa|Seeking the Magic Mushroom}}</ref>
*1957: a "Focus on Sanity" episode on CBS<ref name=breen/>{{rp|179-180}}<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9wXYm3J8Yc Sidney Cohen 1956 Housewife in LSD experiment] ''YouTube''.</ref>
*1957: "I Ate the Sacred Mushroom" in Harvard University's ''This Week Magazine'',<ref>[https://hollisarchives.lib.harvard.edu/repositories/17/archival_objects/2417996 This Week Magazine, 1956-1957] ''Harvard Library''.</ref> which was also syndicated<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-19-may-1957-insert/73008655/ The Sacred Mushrooms] by Valentina P. Wasson (May 19, 1957) ''The Spokesman-Review''.</ref>
*1959: Gregory Bateson and Harold Abramson gave LSD to a volunteer on TV<ref name=breen/>{{rp|196-207}}<ref>[https://diva.sfsu.edu/collections/sfbatv/bundles/239197 The Fine Line, Part I] ''Bay Area Television Archive, San Francisco State University''.</ref><ref>[https://diva.sfsu.edu/collections/sfbatv/bundles/239198 The Fine Line, Part II] ''Bay Area Television Archive, San Francisco State University''</ref>
*1959: "The Curious Story Behind the New Cary Grant" in ''Look'' magazine, about his use of LSD<ref name=breen/>{{rp|152}}
But despite the favorable media coverage, there was increasing doubts among psychedelics researchers and advocates based on reports of bad trips and [[suicide]]s, poorly-designed studies (e.g., [[elitism]], and lacking [[control group]]s, [[informed consent]], and evidence-based psychology), and the growing understanding that the research was likely being funded by the CIA for nefarious purposes.<ref name=breen/>{{rp|143,219,222,283}}

Against this backdrop of favorable media coverage but self-doubt among original researchers, came newer researchers: {{wpl|John C. Lilly}} who began [[dolphin]] research in the 1950s, and psychologists [[Timothy Leary]] and Richard Alpert who ran the {{wpl|Harvard Psilocybin Project}} from 1960-1962. Lilly had claimed that he taught his dolphins to speak to him, but by 1965 he had begun dosing his captive dolphins at his own research facility in the US Virgin Islands. The research conducted by Lear, Alpert and Lilly, could at best be described as [[Pathological science]], but in both cases quickly devolved into [[pseudoscience]]. Leary and Alpert's work was sufficiently bad for them to get kicked out of Harvard, and Lilly's work was sufficiently revolting to cause Gregory Bateson and naturalist {{wpl|Margaret Howe}} to his research facility.<ref name=breen/>{{rp|227,232-235,250-252}}

In 1964 legal restrictions against LSD had started,<ref name=breen/>{{rp|250}} leading to full criminalization in the US in 1968 as a Schedule I drug.

===Utopia or bust===
This idea for widespread use of LSD was popularized by [[quack]] psychologist and publicity hound<ref name=breen/>{{rp|171,173}} Timothy Leary<ref>[https://psychology.fas.harvard.edu/people/timothy-leary Timothy Leary] ''Department of Psychology, Harvard University''.</ref> in 1966/1967, "Turn on, tune in, drop out."<ref>{{wpa|Turn on, tune in, drop out}}</ref> If one believes Leary's much later retelling, the phrase was immediately misinterpreted from what he had meant,<ref>''Flashbacks: A Personal and Cultural History of an Era '' by Timothy Leary (1983) G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 0874778700.</ref>{{rp|253}} but what ''he'' meant is irrelevant to what ''it'' meant in the popular consciousness, essentially turn on to [[drugs]], tune in to [[rock music]] and drop out of the establishment. Perhaps belying Leary's claim, the term 'to drop acid' (to take LSD) was derived from Richard Alpert's 1966 book ''LSD'';<ref>''LSD'' by Richard Alpert et al. (1966) New American Library.</ref><ref>''Oxford English Dictionary'', drop, ''v.'', definition 16.c. ("to drop a cap")</ref> Alpert was a close associate of Leary.<ref>{{wpa|Ram Dass}}</ref> Also influential and ultimately more damning of the belief that people could totally change their [[worldview]] from psychedelic use was Leary's own published academic research in 1968 that claimed that psilocybin could reduce recidivism among soon-to-be released prisoners.<ref>Use of psychedelic drugs in prisoner rehabilitation by Timothy Leary & Ralph Metzner (1968) ''British Journal of Social Psychiatry'' 2:27-51.</ref> Leary's analysis was shown to be badly flawed in a 1998 reanalysis.<ref>[https://maps.org/research-archive/1998_Doblin_ConcordPrisonFollow-up.pdf Dr.Leary's Concord Prison Experiment: A 34-year follow-up study] by Rick Doblin (1998) ''Journal of Psychoactive Drugs'' 30(4):419-426.</ref> 

In 1966, an Orange County, California commune called The Brotherhood of Eternal Love (BEL) was started by John Griggs.<ref name=black/> Starting in 1969, BEL began manufacturing LSD and smuggling hashish, believing that they could start a "psychedelic revolution" in the United States by distributing LSD.<ref>[https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/film-orange-sunshine-trips-lsd-love-story/ Film ‘Orange Sunshine’, Trippy LSD Love Story] by Rita Robinson (April 8, 2016) ''Laguna Beach Independent''.</ref> Prior to starting BEL, Griggs was "[p]art of a local hotrod [[gang]] called the Street Sweepers, "Farmer John" Griggs was a notorious boozer, brawler, and [[heroin]] user."<ref name=black>[https://www.worldofcannabis.museum/post/travis-brotherhood Hashish, Hawaii & the Hippie Mafia] by Bobby Black (Nov 22, 2020) ''World of Cannabis Museum''.</ref>

[[File:Slick-Hoffman.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Slick and Hoffman, waiting to dose Nixon outside the White House]]
In 1966 Desmond O'Brien, co-founder of Chelsea's World Psychedelic Centre, claimed that anyone could control London by putting LSD in the water system, with a former British MP (Donald Johnson) confirming the claim.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100520120941/http://www.forteantimes.com/features/articles/3421/reservoir_drugs.html Reservoir Drugs: Are the CIA spiking your water supply?] by Andy Roberts (May 2010) ''Fortean Times'' (archived from May 20, 2010).</ref><ref>"The Drug that Could Become a Social Peril" (19 March 1966) ''London Life'', Pages 6-10.</ref> This idea had also been secretly floated during World War II by LSD researcher Harold Abramson and colleagues to be used against [[Nazi Germany]].<ref name=breen/>{{rp|145}} The reality of [[The dose makes the poison|manufacturing a sufficient quantity of LSD to overcome the vast dilution of a municipal water supply]] makes the idea highly impractical however.<ref name=chicago7>[http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/Chicago7/Hoffman.html Testimony of Abbie Hoffman] ''Chicago 7 Trial''.<BR>
Leonard Weinglass (Hoffman's attorney), "Your Honor, I am glad to see Mr. Schultz finally concedes that things like levitating the Pentagon building, putting LSD in the water, 10,000 people walking nude on Lake Michigan, and a $200,000 bribe attempt are all playing around."<BR>
Hoffman, "I said, 'I read in the paper the day before that they had 2,000 troops surrounding the reservoirs in order to protect against the Yippie plot to dump LSD in the drinking water. There isn't a kid in the country,' I said, 'never mind a Yippie, who thinks that such a thing could be done.'"</ref> Nonetheless, the idea started to take off when [[Yippie]]s Abbie Hoffman and Paul Krassner threatened to put LSD in the Chicago water supply on the eve of the 1968 Democratic National Convention during the height of the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name=chicago7/><ref>[https://www.actipedia.org/project/putting-lsd-chicagos-water-supply Putting LSD in Chicago's water supply] ''Actipedia''.</ref> The prank was in getting people to believe the threat rather than in actually attempting the act.<ref name=chicago7/><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1989/04/14/abbie-hoffmans-radical-cheek/f69ff7ab-7c81-4732-a5cb-e982efde3ee9/ Abbie Hoffman's Cheek] by Paula Span (April 14, 1989) ''The Washington Post''.</ref> In 1969, Grace Slick of the Jefferson Airplane was invited under her maiden name to the White House by [[Richard Nixon]]'s daughter Tricia. Slick and Hoffman had plotted to secretly dose Richard Nixon but the plot failed.<ref>[https://www.pophistorydig.com/topics/white-rabbit-grace-slick/ "White Rabbit": Grace Slick: 1960s-2010s] ''The Pop History Dig''. A 'Mickey' for Nixon: Aborted White House Plot.</ref> In 1970, the Indiana State Police superintendent believed that "a conglomerate of organized leftist groups" had attempted to spike the governor's dinner and that they were still attempting to dose Nixon who was about to visit the state.<ref>[https://www.indystar.com/story/life/2018/01/03/time-indy-cops-feared-leftists-could-slip-lsd-richard-nixon/960554001/ That time Indy cops feared 'leftists' could slip LSD to Richard Nixon] by Will Higgins (Published 10:53 a.m. ET Jan. 3, 2018; Updated 3:39 p.m. ET Jan. 3, 2018) ''The Indianapolis Star''.</ref>

[[Historian]] Mary Kilbourne Matossian [[Hypothesis|hypothesized]] in her 1989 book ''Poisons of the Past'' that ergot poisoning may have had a role in the 1789 [[French Revolution]].<ref name=matossian>''Poisons of the Past: Molds, Epidemics, and History'' by Mary Kilbourne Matossian (1989) Yale University Press. ISBN 0300039492.</ref> Ergot is a fungus that can be found on rye seeds; ergot sometimes contains LSD or LSD-related chemicals; and when ingested can cause a wide range of symptoms (ergotism), including panic, hallucinations, delusions, and [[psychosis]].<ref name=matossian/>{{rp|11}} Ergotism has previously been a cause of historical [[mass hysteria]] events.<ref name=matossian/>{{rp|xi}} Immediately preceding the start of the revolution was The Great Fear of 1789 based on widespread panic following the just-harvested rye crop that brigands would steal it.<ref name=matossian/>{{rp|81}} The peasants' fear caused further panic among the landowners that peasants would seize their lands.<ref name=matossian/>{{rp|81}} Historians have frequently remarked that the peasants' fears were exaggerated.<ref name=matossian/>{{rp|82}} Also, a physician living in Clisson, [[France]] in 1789 noted that the July 1789 rye crop was "prodigiously" affected by ergot, and that ergot was found in one-twelfth of ears of rye.<ref name=matossian/>{{rp|83}} Increased levels of panic also showed a temporospatial association in France that year, appearing first in the north where rye was grown and then later in the south following rye exports.<ref name=matossian/>{{rp|84-85}}

[[File:190723 Robin Carhart-Harris, Centre for Psychedelic Research meeting.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Carhart-Harris]]
A 2018 paper by Taylor Lyons and Robin L. Carhart-Harris reported on their study of treatment-resistant depression with psilocybin and its effects on relating to nature and changes in the [[libertarian]]-[[authoritarian]] scale. the study had serious problems that make its conclusion of dubious value.<ref name=lyons>[https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0269881117748902 Increased nature relatedness and decreased authoritarian political views after psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression] by Taylor Lyons & Robin L. Carhart-Harris (2018) ''Journal of Psychopharmacology'' 32(7):811-819. doi:10.1177/0269881117748902.</ref> The study was not [[Double blind|blinded]], either to researchers or the subjects; there were only 14 participants, 7 control and 7 dosed (small sample size); it was not [[Randomized controlled trial|randomized]]; in using a libertarian-authoritarian scale, study suffers from the same problems as found in the [[Political Compass#Criticism|Political Compass]].<ref name=lyons/> The authors claimed a significant reduction in authoritarian attitudes even 12 months after treatment.<ref name=lyons/> Despite the study's substantial design flaws, it was touted in some parts of the (low- to middle-brow) popular press.<ref name=pace>[https://www.psymposia.com/magazine/lucy-in-the-sky-with-nazis-psychedelics-and-the-right-wing/ Lucy In The Sky With Nazis: Psychedelics and the Right Wing] by Brian Pace (February 3, 2020) ''Psymposia''.</ref><ref>[https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/could-alt-right-assholes-be-fixed-by-feeding-them-shrooms Could Alt-Right Assholes Be Fixed By Feeding Them Shrooms? A British study says their active ingredient can lead to 'decreased authoritarianism'] by Tierney Finster (2018) ''MEL''.</ref><ref>[https://www.psypost.org/2018/01/psychedelic-mushrooms-reduce-authoritarianism-boost-nature-relatedness-experimental-study-suggests-50638 Psychedelic mushrooms reduce authoritarianism and boost nature relatedness, experimental study suggests] by Eric W. Dolan (January 23, 2018) ''PsyPost''.</ref><ref>[https://bigthink.com/paul-ratner/scientists-find-magic-mushrooms-could-help-fight-fascism Scientists find magic mushrooms could help fight fascism: Researchers find that magic mushrooms can keep people from developing authoritarian views and more connected to nature.] by Paul Ratner (28 January, 2018) ''Big Think''.</ref> The study authors cited evidence of "enduring changes in personality traits, attitudes and beliefs" from previous studies (some of which by the same authors), though this appears to have been the first study on the effect of a psychedelic on political ideology.<ref name=lyons/> Perhaps more worryingly than some parts of the press taking this seriously is that people in the real world are apparently taking this study seriously too:<ref>[https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-psychedelics-evangelist-a-german-financier-wants-to-turn-magic-mushrooms-into-modern-medicine/ The Psychedelics Evangelist: A German Financier Wants to Turn Magic Mushrooms into Modern Medicine: One company the entrepreneur invests in wants to develop psilocybin in a lab — so no need to extract it from mushrooms] by Meghana Keshavan (July 9, 2019) ''Scientific American''.</ref>
{{cquote|Along with researchers at Imperial College London, MAPS plans on bringing [[Israeli]]s and [[Palestinians]] together to take ayahuasca and, working with negotiation experts, sift through their respective traumas. The idea is that finding common ground in their [[Spirituality|spiritual]] and [[Mysticism|mystical]] experiences might help coax political reconciliation between the warring factions.}}
Nothing else worked for peace in Israel/Palestine, so why not? MAPS is the non-profit Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, funded in part by Rebekah Mercer through her Mercer Family Foundation.<ref>[https://maps.org/news/media/7054-press-release-mercer-family-foundation-grants-%241-million-to-maps-for-ptsd-research-in-veterans Mercer Family Foundation Grants $1 Million to MAPS for PTSD Research in Veterans] ''Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies''.</ref> Mercer has been a major funder of both [[Donald Trump]] and [[Breitbart]].<ref>{{wpa|Rebekah Mercer}}</ref>

[[File:Andrew Jon Thomasberg.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Thomasberg's mugshot]]
This may all be [[wishful thinking]] however, because there are numerous counterexamples:<ref name=pace/>
*[[Atomwaffen Division]], [[neo-Nazis]] who trafficked in LSD and magic mushrooms and discussed selling other drugs.<ref name=weiner>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/andrew-thomasberg-court-arrest-drugs-white-supremacist-neo-nazi-lsd-ak47-a9114461.html White supremacist who praised 'psychedelic Nazis' caught with stockpile of guns and LSD: Drug crime going hand in hand with guns in US far-right networks] by Rachel Weiner (21 September 2019 12:14) ''The Independent''.</ref> One of the convicted members of the group, Andrew Thomasberg, was quoted as saying to a colleague, "Psychedelic Nazis… There's nothing more [[Aryan]] than entheogenic{{efn|Entheogen is a term used to refer to psychoactive drugs that are used in [[Spirituality|spiritual development]]. It overlaps with psychedelics.<ref>{{wpa|Entheogen}}</ref>}} drug use… [[Drug abuse|Drug addiction]] is [[Alt-right glossary#Untermensch|untermensch]]."<ref name=weiner/>
*The Manson family crime [[cult]] used LSD extensively.<ref>''Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders'' by Vincent Bugliosi (1974) W.W. Norton. ISBN 039308700X.</ref> {{wpl|James Mason (neo-Nazi)|James Mason}} corresponded with Manson and two of Manson's imprisoned cult members in the early 1980s ({{wpl|Squeaky Fromme}} and {{wpl|Sandra Good||.}}).<ref>[https://archives.lib.ku.edu/repositories/3/resources/5069 Papers of James N. Mason ] ''Kenneth Spencer Research Library Archival Collections, The University of Kansas''.</ref> Mason, a longtime neo-Nazi, later became involved with Atomwaffen Division.<ref>[https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounders/atomwaffen-division-awd-national-socialist-order-nso Atomwaffen Division (AWD)/ National Socialist Order (NSO)] ''Anti-Defamation League''.</ref> It is not known what if any involvement Mason has had with psychedelics.
*Three members of the neo-Nazi group {{wpl|The Base (hate group)|The Base}} were arrested in 2020 on firearms charges and attempted manufacture of DMT.<ref>[https://wset.com/news/at-the-capitol/fbi-arrests-3-neo-nazi-suspects-with-weapons-planning-to-attend-gun-rally-in-richmond FBI arrests 3 white supremacists ahead of pro-gun rally] (January 16<sup>th</sup> 2020) ''WSET''.</ref> Some of the members are known to have used LSD.<ref>[https://www.vice.com/en/article/z3e3ew/neo-nazi-memoir-describes-terror-groups-acid-soaked-ram-sacrifice Neo-Nazi Memoir Describes Terror Group’s Acid-Soaked Ram Sacrifice: The bizarre ritual by the terror group The Base was infiltrated by the FBI.]] by Ben Makuch & Mack Lamoureux (June 24, 2020, 9:55am) ''Vice''.</ref>
*Andrew Anglin, founder of [[The Daily Stormer|''The Daily Stormer'']], took LSD, magic mushrooms, [[cocaine]] and ketamine while in high school according to multiple acquaintances.<ref>[https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/12/the-making-of-an-american-nazi/544119/ The Making of an American Nazi: How did Andrew Anglin go from being an antiracist vegan to the alt-right’s most vicious troll and propagandist — and how might he be stopped?] by Luke O’Brien (December 2017) ''The Atlantic''.</ref>
*Fredrick Brennan got the idea for founding [[8chan]] while he was high on magic mushrooms.<ref>[https://www.businessinsider.com/8chan-founder-calls-for-shut-down-after-el-paso-shooting-2019-8 How the founder of 8chan went from creating the 'darkest reaches of the internet' while on psychedelic mushrooms to calling for it to be shut down] by Lisa Eadicicco (Aug 5, 2019, 9:36 AM) ''Business Insider''.</ref>
*[[Jordan Peterson]] of the [[bigot]]ed [[alt-lite]] has used psilocybin.<ref name=pace/>
*[[Sam Harris]], [[atheist]] [[Islamophobe]], took psilocybin.<ref name=pace/>
*[[Peter Thiel]], [[Austrian school]] libertarian billionaire, Trumper and [[anti-feminist]], has been investing heavily in the nascent psychedelics industry.<ref>[https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/23/peter-thiel-backs-psychedelics-startup-atai.html Peter Thiel backs Berlin start-up making psychedelics in $125 million round] by Sam Shead (Published Mon, Nov 23 2020 • 10:00 AM EST; Updated Mon, Nov 23 2020 • 10:40 AM EST) ''CNBC''.</ref>
*[[Elon Musk]], the [[fascist]] ex-pal of Thiel who gave [[Hitler]] salutes at a [[Trump]] rally has been a regular consumer of MDMA and magic mushrooms, and excessive use of ketamine.<ref>[https://archive.ph/qacZq On the Campaign Trail, Elon Musk Juggled Drugs and Family Drama] by Kirsten Grind and Megan Twohey (2025 May 30) ''The New York Times'' (archived from 30 May 2025 14:43:19 UTC).</ref>

==External links==
*[https://www.sciencenews.org/article/psychedelic-drugs-treatment-mental-health-disorders-depression Can psychedelics meet their potential for treating mental health disorders?] by Laura Sanders (December 3, 2021 at 7:00 am) ''Science News''.

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

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