It is quite a comeback move to think that psychedelic drugs, which used to be associated with the 1960s counterculture, have now become commonplace in clinical trials and handled by scientists rather than random teenagers.
The term “LSD” has always been associated with the lives of hippies in San Francisco or the tragedy of artists and musicians who lost grip on reality.
The tables are slowly turning now; medical science is looking at psychedelic drugs such as LSD, DMT, and mescaline with a genuine interest in their potential to treat mental health issues.
Some studies have discovered the mechanism of the drugs in providing relief when other treatments have failed.Β
Among the most notable supporters and pioneers of psychedelic drugs was Ram Dass (sometimes referred to as Baba Ram Dass), who focused on researching the medicinal properties of such substances for spiritual well-being.
In the 1960s, Dass joined an effort with Harvard psychologist Timothy Leary to promote and advocate the benefits of the drugs.
Dass’ book Be Here Now, published in 1971,Β has been regarded as having a “seminal” role in the era’s spiritual movements.
10 /10 Anxiety Ridden Tradition
Born Richard Alpert on April 6, 1931, in Boston, Massachusetts, Dass came from a wealthy Jewish family.
With a father whose job was the president of a railroad company, he didn’t seem to experience a difficult upbringing, especially financial support.
However, he once wrote that his family was anxiety-ridden. Dass began teaching psychology at Harvard in 1958 after obtaining his doctorate at Stanford. He was a successful bachelor’s professor, having more money than he could spend.
9 /10 An Atheist
Dass considered himself an atheist. At Harvard, he was an ideal American professor who not only lectured in a prestigious education institution but also conducted valuable research for the improvement of medical science.
Dass once referred to himself as a determined anxiety-neurotic with plenty of knowledge and little wisdom.
Especially for the latter, things changed drastically when clinical psychologist Timothy Leary arrived at Harvard University in 1960. Dass and Leary would become associates and close friends.