Take Two Tabs and Call Me From Never-Never Land

13 Apr, 2010 by Dave Blount

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A glimpse of the future of pharmacology, now that the Flower Power generation at the helm of the federal government has seized control of the healthcare system:

Scientists are taking a new look at hallucinogens, which became taboo among regulators after enthusiasts like Timothy Leary promoted them in the 1960s with the slogan “Turn on, tune in, drop out.” Now, using rigorous protocols and safeguards, scientists have won permission to study once again the drugs’ potential for treating mental problems and illuminating the nature of consciousness. …

Researchers from around the world are gathering this week in San Jose, Calif., for the largest conference on psychedelic science held in the United States in four decades. They plan to discuss studies of psilocybin and other psychedelics for treating depression in cancer patients, obsessive-compulsive disorder, end-of-life anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction to drugs or alcohol.

A retired psychologist reports on his participation in an experiment at Johns Hopkins:

“All of a sudden, everything familiar started evaporating,” he recalled. “Imagine you fall off a boat out in the open ocean, and you turn around, and the boat is gone. And then the water’s gone. And then you’re gone.”

Like, groovy man. Plus other people will be paying for it! Like, while I’m tripping, their paychecks will be gone. Far out!