Book · 1985 · Social Science
Acid Dreams
The CIA, LSD, and the Sixties Rebellion
Why people recommend it
Acid Dreams by Martin A. Lee and Bruce Shlain is a historical exploration of LSD, the CIA, and the American counterculture movement of the 1960s. Duncan Trussell discussed the book on The Joe Rogan Experience during episode 279 on February 3, 2013, explaining that it details how the CIA originally acquired LSD and played a foundational role in initiating the psychedelic revolution. Later, during episode 177 on March 28, 2013, Hamilton Morris brought up the same title while talking about MK-Ultra mind control experiments, noting that researchers subjected individuals to extreme tests involving intravenous stimulants like amphetamines. Responding to Morris, Joe Rogan remarked that it was the second time the book had been recommended to him within a single week. The recurring mentions on the podcast underscored the text's significance as a primary resource for uncovering covert government drug programs and the unexpected institutional roots of 1960s psychedelic culture. Both guests used the material to shed light on historical intersections between national security agencies and mind-altering substances.
Who recommended it
- Hamilton Morris Recommended
- Duncan Trussell Discussed
Hamilton Morris — 1 mention
“I don't know if you're familiar with the book acid dreams but yeah they did every imaginable thing they'd hook up people to IVs with a stimulant like amphetamine in one wrist and you're the second person in a week that's recommended acid dreams”
Duncan Trussell — 1 mention
“there's a great book called acid dreams that I'm reading which is about the CIA and how they were the ones who got LSD and they're the ones who the CIA basically started the Psychedelic revolution of the 60s or was part of the start of that”