A history and future of psychedelics: The case of the Canadian military
Erika Dyck, Gregory P. Marchildon
Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health December 1, 2023 DOI: 10.3138/jmvfh-2023-0010 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | LSD Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Military personnel Magic telescope Hallucinogen Law |
| Key points | Argues that cultural associations between psychedelics and anti-war activism have overshadowed their potential for treating disorders like PTSD in military personnel, necessitating a reimagined relationship between psychedelics and mental illness within the military. |
Abstract
LAY SUMMARY The historical relationship between psychedelic drugs and the military has often been characterized in terms of drug misuse or the connection between drugs like d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or psilocybin (magic mushrooms) contributing to anti-war sentiments. Recent clinical evidence, however, suggests these cultural associations may be overshadowing the potential for psychedelic drug treatments for particular disorders prevalent across military personnel, including posttraumatic stress disorder. This article offers a historical overview of psychedelics and their association with anti-war activism alongside the clinical recognition of mental disorders within the military that led to the need to reimagine the relationship between psychedelics and mental illnesses within the military.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Experimental Use of Psychedelic (LSD) Psychotherapy | 1970 | Historical analysis | |
| LSD: My Problem Child | 1981 | Historical analysis | |
| On the Use and Abuse of LSD | 1968 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Use of Music in Psychedelic (LSD) Psychotherapy | 1972 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Flashbacks: Recurrent Intrusive Images After the Use of LSD | 1969 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cites 20
- MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Nature Medicine June 1, 2021
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for alcoholism: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Journal of Psychopharmacology March 8, 2012
- 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans, firefighters, and police officers: a randomised, double-blind, dose-response, phase 2 clinical trial. The Lancet Psychiatry May 1, 2018
- Oxytocin-dependent reopening of a social reward learning critical period with MDMA Nature April 3, 2019
- Reviewing the Potential of Psychedelics for the Treatment of PTSD The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology March 12, 2020
and 15 more in the library