Source: Sofcom.
Microsoft founder Bob Wallace reveals this month on SBS the "psychedelic influence" on his creativity.
Psychedelic Science, screening Friday January 22 on SBS, looks into recent developments in the politics of research of psychedelic drugs in the USA. Research was banned in the late 1960's in the era when the drug-crazed Charles Manson slayings came to symbolise public fear of LSD. Funding ceased, and the few researches who battled on were ostracised. Lost in the blanket ban were remarkable research projects in the field of psychiatry that held out new hope for the treament of schizophrenia and alcholism. This film by Bill Eagles, tells the story of a handful of dedicated scientists who have struggled to make psychedelic research respectable again.
After a 30-year ban on LSD, human experiemenation resumed again in the US in 1997. As a new craze for psychedelic drugs sweeps through high schools, scientists are becoming convinced, ironically, of its therapeutic value in the fight against drug addiction.
In the USA, neurosceientist Deborah Mash quietly began investigations with unknown psychedelic compounds, to avoid the alarm bells of LSD. She works on treating cocaine addicts, achieving success with ibogaine, a psychedelic derived from a West African plant. Her success hinges on the patient having a 'peak' experience, to frighten them out of addiction.
In the early 1990's, leading lights of the US computer industry began admitting that many breakthroughs in Silicon Valley in the 70's and 80's had been inspired by regular psychedlic drug use. Founding member of Microsoft, Bob Wallace, reveals on camera the psychedelic influence on his creativity, as does Nobel Prize-winning scientist, Kary Mullis. The anecdotal evidence boosted support for the psychedelic researchers. Finally, psychiatrist Rick Strassman has received approval from the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) for research into LSD itself.
But it is a delicate moment for the new psychedelic science. Among high-school leavers, use of psychedelics is rapidly increasing - and strange and lethal new drugs are appearing on the streets. The scientists and drug regulators know there is a knife-edge between hope for new treatments and unleashing a whirlind.
As It Happened: Psychedelic Science
8.00pm Friday, January 22 on SBS
