The rise of psychedelics in 70s
The 1970s were a pivotal decade for the psychedelic movement and the culture surrounding it. Psychedelic drugs emerged as a popular form of recreation among young people, and their use extended beyond the recreational to become a tool for spiritual and empirical exploration. This essay will explore the various elements that contributed to the rise of psychedelics in the 70s, from the recreational and therapeutic to the folk and spiritual. Through an exploration of the culture and the medical, legal, and spiritual aspects of psychedelic use, this essay will provide insight into the dynamic and ever-evolving psychedelic movements of the 70s.
The psychedelic revolution of the early 1970s was partly propelled by two key components: LSD and mescaline. In the 1950s and 1960s, both psychedelics were gaining traction amongst the scientific community; many psychiatrists and psychologists were fascinated by their ability to alter the user’s state of mind. For example, Harvard professor Timothy Leary, who was highly influential in the psychedelic movement, conducted extensive research on psychedelics, studying over 2000 therapeutic sessions utilizing psychedelics (Pontes). LSD and mescaline’s impact on the movement was further amplified due to the publication of various texts from Robert Masters and Jean Houston and the spread of underground newspaper The Oracle of San Francisco. Ultimately, the psychedelic revolution of the early 70s was boosted in both notoriety and reach by these two psychedelic components.
The early 1970s marked a period of immense societal change accompanied by a fascination with psychedelics and the psychedelic movement. LSD and mescaline, in particular, played a key role in the psychedelic revolution. Discovered and synthesized in the 1930s and 1940s, respectively, these substances had seen research and application in the 1950s and the early 1960s but the mid-1960s saw an unexpected surge in clinical studies which precipitated their wider use and oft-illegal recreational use (Hanes, 2019). As news of their psychotherapeutic benefits quickly spread, combined with the cultural events of the early 1970s, known as the “psychedelic revolution” saw increased usage amongst non-traditional psychiatrists, academics and students (Charter, 2018) and has since come to characterize the discourse of psychedelics ever since.
In the 1950s, psychedelics emerged as central players in the birth of the psychedelic revolution. Two of the most important psychedelic drugs during this period were Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) and Mescaline. LSD was invented by chemist Albert Hofmann in 1938, but it was not until the 1950s that its potent mind-altering properties were recognized. Mescaline, another potent psychedelic, was developed by distilling a compound found in the peyote cactus, which had long been used by indigenous cultures in North America for religious ceremonies. The potential of LSD and Mescaline to create radical experiences of self-discovery and insight, which contrasted the repressed atmosphere of the 1950s, helped to popularize the use of psychedelics and contribute to what is now known as the Psychedelic Revolution.
In the 1970s, psychedelics experienced a fall in popularity due to a variety of reasons, such as religious movements, increased regulation and negative stigma. According to an article by Janis Brannon for Psychology Today, “when Nixon declared the ‘War on Drugs’ in 1971, the tidal wave of psychedelic drug use began to recede”. Nixon believed that psychedelic drugs encouraged anti-establishment sentiments, so he used this blanket term to encompass them in his efforts to eradicate drugs. As a result of this and throughout the decade, the public opinion of psychedelics shifted, and they lost their cultural appeal. Additionally, in the 70s, drug regulation was ramped up leading to the Controlled Substances Act. This meant that psychedelics were much harder to obtain, leading to a dwindling availability. Some religious movements also contributed to the negative stigma surrounding psychedelics. It is clear that psychedelics experienced a fall in popularity in the 1970s due to an accumulation of factors.
The rise of psychedelics in the 1970s had a significant impact on American counterculture, as it brought an alternative way of thinking and living to the forefront. It led to new forms of fashion, music, art, and provided an avenue to actively challenge social norms and conventions. Furthermore, this revolutionized the way mental health was treated and promoted an interest in spirituality amongst many facets of society. While psychedelics have been heavily stigmatized throughout history, their influence on the '70s gave way to a revolution of thought and inspired the generations to come.
