In the beginning stages of onset,
psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, is likely to cause a sort of undefineably feeling similar to
anticipation or anxiety. There is often a slight feeling of energy in the body, an extra twinkle to lights, or the feeling that things are somehow different than usual. As the effects become stronger, a wide variety of perceptual changes may occur; non-specific mental and physical stimulation, pupil dilation, closed and open eye patterning and visuals, changed thought patterns, feelings of insight, confusion, or paranoia, and quickly changing emotions (
happiness, fear, giddiness, anxiety, anger, joy, irritation). Making them the so-called mind-expanding drugs.
As the 1960s progressed, San Francisco's flower children, also called hippies adopted new styles of dress, experimented with psychedelic drugs, lived communally and developed a vibrant music scene Grateful Dead. When people returned home from "The
Summer of Love" these styles and behaviors spread quickly from San Francisco and Berkeley to many U.S. and Canadian cities and European capitals.
Psychedelic drugs are inching their way slowly but surely toward prescription status in the
United States, thanks to a group of persistent scientists who believe drugs like ecstasy and psilocybin can help people with
terminal cancer, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, to name just a few.
The Heffter Research Institute, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies and others have managed to persuade the Food and Drug
Administration to approve a handful of clinical trials using psychedelics.
