The Uneven Origins of Eco-Consciousness in the First Psychedelic Revolution
Green Letters June 19, 2026 Agnieszka Soltysik Monnet
This essay examines the writings and trip reports of key figures from the first psychedelic revolution—Ken Kesey, Timothy Leary, and Jane Dunlap (Adelle Davis)—through an eco-critical lens. It questions whether psychedelic experiences genuinely foster a love of nature and ecological consciousness, a concept termed psychedelic biophilia. The analysis includes an incident from the 2011 film The Magic Trip, based on 1964 footage by the Merry Pranksters. The essay argues that the relationship between early psychedelic advocates and nature has been neglected, despite the countercultural ethos that influenced the Earth Movement.