Evolving Ethics in Psychedelic Drug Taking
Journal of Drug Issues April 1, 1988 Elvin D. Smith 6 citations
Psychedelics are distinct from other drugs because the experiences they provide often compel an ethical approach to living, with spiritual, therapeutic, or exploratory ethics arising spontaneously from the transcendental nature of the experience. Contemporary psychedelic use peaked around 1972 and declined by 1979, but a slow resurgence is indicated as irrational hysteria recedes and new information emerges. Users often adopt ethics similar to those in societies where such drugs are culturally accepted, integrating the experience constructively into ongoing life.