Introducing LSD, 1953–1956

The chapter examines how LSD entered the news agenda through reports on scientific studies that used the drug to simulate madness, alongside the public conversation about mystical, mind-expanding drug use ignited by Aldous Huxley's book "The Doors of Perception." Journalists introduced American audiences to these new drugs and to the idea that drug-induced mental states could have scholarly and academic importance. This scholarly framing gave journalists permission to describe drug experiences that had previously been considered inappropriate for public discussion. Mainstream media coverage was soon followed by even more sensational reporting in marginal publications.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This chapter studies the dramatic appearance of LSD on the news agenda in reports on scientific studies using drugs to simulate madness, and the concurrent discussion of mystical, mind-expanding drug use sparked by the publication of Aldous Huxley's Doors of Perception. In addressing these topics, journalists introduced American audiences to new drugs and to the use of drugs to create mental states considered to have significant scholarly and academic importance. Scholarly interest gave journalists license to describe drug states that previously had been considered inappropriate for public view. Reports in mainstream media outlets were followed quickly by even more sensational coverage in more marginal publications.