Psychedelic Fears. Drug Use as an Emotional Practice in West Germany around 1970
Storicamente January 14, 2016 DOI: 10.12977/stor607 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn late-1960s and early-1970s West Germany, psychedelic drug use served as a technology of the self, enabling individuals to cultivate certain feelings while avoiding others. Drawing on the History of Emotions and Practice Theory, this analysis shows that the emotional practices surrounding drug consumption included preparation, recognition, cultivation, and verbal articulation of emotions. The article contributes to the historical study of drugs, emotions, and the German counterculture.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Feeling German Consumption sociology Drug Social psychology |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | Argues that psychedelic drug consumption in late 1960s and early 1970s West Germany served as a technology of the self for managing emotions, with preparation, cultivation, and articulation of feelings being central emotional practices. |
Abstract
This article studies psychedelic drug consumption in the Federal Republic of Germany in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Using ideas from the History of Emotions and Practice Theory, it offers a fresh look into the making of drug experiences. Doing drugs is analysed as a technology of the self that sought to marshal some feelings while avoiding others. Preparations were as much part of these emotional practices as recognizing and cultivating emotions, or trying to put them into words. The article aims to contribute to the historical study of drugs, emotions and the German counter culture.