AMSTUD 141: Psychedelic America

Course Description

The "Psychedelic Renaissance" in the sciences has been gaining momentum since the early 2000s. Bringing together research scientists, pharmaceutical corporations, therapists, neuroscientists, and investment bankers, the reemergence of scientific research into psychedelic substances has been hailed as a turning point in the treatment of mental illness, neurological brain imaging, as well as a potential flashpoint for the wellness industry. Presented as a "Renaissance," this new wave of scientific research is premised on the complete disavowal of the psychedelic culture that preceded it. According to prominent advocates of this rebirth, American culture is only now emerging from a "dark ages" roughly a half a century long, where little significant research was conducted. Of course, this is far from the truth. This course problematizes the "rebirth" narrative of the Psychedelic Renaissance by analyzing the artistic movements, spiritual communities, and new religious movements that have spent the last seventy years engaged with psychedelic substances, including lysergic acid diethylamide ("LSD"), psilocybin ("magic mushrooms"), and Dimethyltryptamine ("DMT"). Special attention will focus on the diverse modes of expression for psychedelic spirituality, including "back-to-the-land" communitarianism, "trippy" art, politically militant cadres, technological/futurist cooperatives, and musical collectives.