Psychedelic Revolutionaries: Three Medical Pioneers, the Fall of Hallucinogenic Research and the Rise of Big Pharma

The post-World War II era in psychiatry was a clash between biology and psychoanalysis until the introduction of psychotropic drugs like chlorpromazine. Hallucinogens such as mescaline and LSD played a significant role in this revolution, but their scientific significance has been overlooked. Historian P.W. Barber examines the science and people behind the research in Psychedelic Revolutionaries, resetting a long-misunderstood history by following the work of three pioneering psychiatrists.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 410 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2018
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The post-World War II era in psychiatry was a turbulent period marked by a clash between biology and psychoanalysis. It was a time when objectivism was lacking, until the introduction of psychotropic drugs like chlorpromazine. These drugs had a profound and far-reaching impact on mental health treatment, comparable to the consequences of the war itself. In the early years of this psychopharmacological revolution, hallucinogens such as mescaline and LSD played a significant role alongside other psychotropics. Psychedelics, in fact, constituted a scientific revolution of their own, although it does not fit the narrative of twentieth-century scientific history.

To delve deeper into the psychedelic story, historian P.W. Barber takes a serious examination of the science and the people behind the research. He shows how this experimentation unfolded, the findings it produced, and how these findings were received within and outside the scientific community. By following the work of three pioneering psychiatrists, Humphry Osmond, who coined the term "psychedelic," administered Aldous Huxley his first dose of mescaline, Abram Hoffer, and Duncan Blewett, also known as the "Leary of the North," Barber completely resets a long-misunderstood history.

Through his research, Barber invites us to consider what makes a scientific discovery revolutionary. He explores the factors that contribute to the acceptance of scientific discoveries as established truths, raising important questions about the role of evidence, peer review, and the influence of institutions in shaping scientific knowledge.

The psychedelic revolution of the 1950s and 1960s was a time of immense experimentation and exploration, driven by a desire to understand the human mind and consciousness. The work of these pioneering psychiatrists and their patients paved the way for new understandings of mental health and the potential for therapeutic interventions. The legacy of this period continues to be felt today, as researchers and clinicians continue to study the effects of psychedelics and explore their potential applications in the treatment of mental illness.

In conclusion, the post-World War II era in psychiatry was a tumultuous period marked by a clash between biology and psychoanalysis. It was a time when objectivism was lacking, until the introduction of psychotropic drugs like chlorpromazine. Psychedelics constituted a scientific revolution of their own, although it does not fit the narrative of twentieth-century scientific history. By delving into the work of these pioneering psychiatrists and their patients, historian P.W. Barber has reset a long-misunderstood history, showing how scientific discoveries become accepted as established truths and the factors that make a scientific discovery revolutionary. The legacy of the psychedelic revolution continues to be felt today, as researchers and clinicians continue to explore the potential of these substances in the treatment of mental illness.

Weight: 442g
Dimension: 137 x 216 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781786994363