Taking a trip on psychedelic drugs

May. 29, 2018

In 1971, Richard Nixon launched the War on Drugs, and the Controlled Substances Act outlawed the use of LSD and psilocybin, or magic mushrooms. Before then, psychiatrists used those drugs to treat patients for depression, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and more. Author Michael Pollan has taken stock of the latest developments, and even taken a few trips himself.

From this Episode:

How much money has poured into the 2018 election?

California’s primary election is one week away. Wealthy donors and corporations have spent more than $26 million on the governor’s race alone. The LA Times says that’s the...

9 min

PBS documentary sheds light on Chinese Exclusion Act

As the Statue of Liberty was being assembled from parts sent from France in the late 19th Century, the U.S. government passed a law that targeted the Chinese.

9 min

How LSD and mushrooms can treat mental illness and addiction

In 1971, Richard Nixon launched the War on Drugs, and the Controlled Substances Act outlawed the use of LSD and psilocybin, or magic mushrooms.

27 min

Credits

Host:

Madeleine Brand

Producers:

Sarah Sweeney, Michell Eloy, Amy Ta, Christian Bordal, Quinn O'Toole, Yael Even Or, Devan Schwartz