Page 174 - Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained Vol. 3

Mysteries of the Mind 155

“hippies,” and those who felt alienated from mescaline, and psilocybine, critics of unre- Tim Leary portrayed in a
mainstream American society because of their stricted use of the drugs demanded legislation piece of computerized
anti-Vietnam War sentiments, all contributed that would curb the distribution of psyche- hallucinations artwork.
to a growing traffic in illegal distribution of delics. In 1970 the U.S. Controlled Sub- (AP/WIDE WORLD PHOTOS)
the drugs on the streets of cities throughout stances Act, responding to the unsupervised
the United States. Physicians and psychia- use and abuse of psychedelic drugs by millions
trists warned against the indiscriminate use of of young adults, made open distribution of
LSD and other psychedelics and the possibili- such mind-altering substances illegal. Since
ties that people could provoke otherwise hid- that time, however, the Food and Drug
den psychotic processes within themselves. Administration has allowed projects by med-
ical researchers to continue to explore the
In 1966 further FDA research noted that potential of psychedelics, explaining that the
extended use of the drug could lead to mood Controlled Substances Act was never intend-
swings, including depression, which could in ed to hinder legitimate research, only the mis-
turn lead to suicide. Those who had continued use and abuse of the drugs.
to use LSD could also suddenly experience a
sense of euphoria, which could lead to socially Because the drugs are now classified as con-
embarrassing situations. Time and space distor- trolled substances, research scientists must
tions could present obvious traffic dangers. A apply to the Drug Enforcement Administration
sudden onset of hallucinations could endanger for a permit and file an application with the
the users and those with them. National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Fed-
eral Drug Administration. During the 1990s,
Arguing the unpredictable results of researchers reported medical promise for the
uncontrolled use of such drugs as LSD-25, use of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of

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