Evolving Ethics in Psychedelic Drug Taking
Elvin D. Smith
Journal of Drug Issues April 1, 1988 DOI: 10.1177/002204268801800207 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Transcendental number Irrational number Engineering ethics Environmental ethics Psychotherapist Epistemology |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key findings | Psychedelic experiences often demand an ethic of living, and contemporary use is slowly resurging as irrational hysteria fades and new information emerges. |
Abstract
Psychedelics are unique from other drugs in that the experiences they make available often demand an ethic of living. Ethics of a spiritual, therapeutic, or exploratory quality develop spontaneously because of the transcendental nature of the experience. Contemporary psychedelic drug taking went through a cycle which peaked in 1972 and declined about 1979. A slow resurgence of interest is indicated by receding irrational hysteria and the emergence of new information. Psychedelic drug takers often adopt ethics similar to those in societies where such drugs are already an accepted part of culture, ethics which constructively integrate the experience with ongoing life.
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Developing Guidelines and Competencies for the Training of Psychedelic Therapists Journal of Humanistic Psychology June 29, 2017
- New Age Seekers: MDMA Use as an Adjunct to Spiritual Pursuit Journal of Psychoactive Drugs July 1, 1991
- Therapeutic (Sub)stance: Current practice and therapeutic conduct in preparatory sessions in substance-assisted psychotherapy—A systematized review Journal of Psychopharmacology October 20, 2022
- Foundations for Training Psychedelic Therapists Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences 2022