Polybius: Unraveling the Mystery of the Deadly Video Game Legend

March 31, 2023 / esfein / Leave a comment

Polybius, an alleged 1980s arcade game, has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories, urban legends, and internet hoaxes[1]. The game is said to have caused harmful psychological effects on its players, including amnesia, nightmares, and even death. Despite a lack of concrete evidence supporting its existence, the myth of Polybius continues to captivate the imagination of gamers, conspiracy theorists, and internet sleuths alike. This article delves into the origins, theories, and possible explanations surrounding the enigmatic and deadly video game known as Polybius.

The Origins of Polybius

The legend of Polybius can be traced back to an anonymous post on the coinop.org website in February 2000[2]. The post claimed that Polybius was a highly addictive and dangerous arcade game that appeared in a handful of Portland, Oregon, arcades in 1981. The game allegedly caused a wide range of adverse effects on its players, including seizures, insomnia, and hallucinations[3]. Additionally, it was rumored that mysterious men in black would visit the arcades to collect data from the game, further fueling speculation that Polybius was part of a top-secret government experiment or mind control program.

Theories and Possible Explanations

Despite the lack of concrete evidence for the existence of Polybius, several theories and possible explanations have been proposed over the years. Some of the most prominent theories include:

Government Experiment: One popular theory suggests that Polybius was a top-secret government experiment aimed at testing the effects of subliminal messages on players[4]. This theory is often supported by the supposed sightings of men in black visiting the arcades where the game was located, as well as the alleged disappearance of the game soon after it was introduced.
Viral Marketing Hoax: Another theory posits that the Polybius legend is nothing more than an elaborate marketing hoax designed to promote a new video game or other related product[5]. This theory is supported by the fact that the first mention of Polybius appeared on an arcade game enthusiast website, which could have been an attempt to generate buzz for a new release.
Creepypasta or Internet Hoax: Some believe that Polybius is simply an early example of a “creepypasta” – a type of internet urban legend or horror story that is spread and shared online[6]. The origins of the Polybius myth on an anonymous internet post, combined with the lack of verifiable evidence for the game’s existence, support the theory that it is merely an internet hoax.

Investigating the Polybius Myth

Despite the lack of tangible proof for the existence of Polybius, several researchers and enthusiasts have attempted to uncover the truth behind the legend. In 2012, a documentary filmmaker named Stuart Brown released a mini-documentary titled “The Search for Polybius,” which chronicled his investigation into the game’s history and origins[7]. Brown’s research led him to discover a possible connection between Polybius and a real-life 1981 arcade game called “Tempest,” which was known to cause motion sickness and disorientation in some players[8].

Another investigative effort was undertaken by gaming historian and journalist, Brian Dunning, who explored the Polybius myth in a 2017 episode of his podcast “Skeptoid”[9]. Dunning’s research led him to conclude that the Polybius legend was likely an amalgamation of several real-life events and arcade game-related incidents that occurred during the early 1980s, including reports of gamers experiencing adverse reactions to certain games and government agents investigating the use of arcades for illegal gambling activities[10]. Dunning’s findings suggest that the Polybius myth may be a case of mistaken identity or misremembered events that have been embellished and combined over time to create a compelling urban legend.

The Polybius Legacy

Despite the lack of concrete evidence supporting the existence of Polybius, the legend has persisted and even grown in popularity over the years. The myth has been referenced in popular culture, including television shows like “The Simpsons” and “The Goldbergs,” and has inspired various art projects, films, and even video games that pay homage to the mysterious arcade game[11].

In 2017, a game developer named Llamasoft released a game called “Polybius” for the PlayStation 4 and later for PC, which was designed as a tribute to the urban legend[12]. The game has received positive reviews for its immersive gameplay and unique visual style, proving that the Polybius legend continues to inspire and captivate the imaginations of gamers and creators alike.

Conclusion

The legend of Polybius remains an enigmatic and fascinating piece of gaming history that has captured the imagination of countless individuals since its inception. While concrete evidence for the existence of the deadly arcade game remains elusive, the myth has evolved and grown over the years, inspiring a variety of creative works and investigations. Ultimately, the Polybius legend serves as a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring appeal of a good mystery.

Source List (MLA Style)

[1] McFerran, Damien. “The Truth Behind Polybius, Gaming’s Most Bizarre Urban Legend.” Nintendo Life, 29 May 2015.

[2] “Polybius.” Coinop.org, 6 Feb. 2000.

[3] Rosenberg, Adam. “The Urban Legend of the Government’s Mind-Controlling Arcade Game.” Motherboard, 20 Oct. 2014.

[4] Kuchera, Ben. “The Polybius Conspiracy: The Greatest Urban Legend in Video Gaming.” Polygon, 3 Nov. 2017.

[5] Stern, Zack. “Polybius: Video Game of Death.” Gamasutra, 8 Nov. 2006.

[6] Dyson, Jon-Paul. “The Mystery of Polybius.” The Strong National Museum of Play, 6 June 2016.

[7] Brown, Stuart. “The Search for Polybius.” YouTube, uploaded by Ahoy, 27 Apr. 2012.

[8] Goldberg, Harold. “The Weird, Wild Legend of Polybius, the Arcade Game That Doesn’t Exist.” Vanity Fair, 1 Nov. 2017.

[9] Dunning, Brian. “Polybius: Video Game of Death.” Skeptoid, episode 593, 28 Nov. 2017.

[10] Winter, Jana. “Feds Raided ’80s Arcades to Stop Gamblers, Not Save Kids from X-rated Games.” Kotaku, 23 Dec. 2011.

[11] Frushtick, Russ. “The Polybius Conspiracy Turns Video Game Urban Legend into a Riveting Mystery.” Polygon, 3 Oct. 2017.

[12] Matulef, Jeffrey. “Polybius, the Trippy PS4 Shooter, is Now on Steam.” Eurogamer, 15 Mar. 2018.

HAARP Weather Control: Separating Fact from Fiction and Exploring the Implications for Society and the Environment

March 8, 2023 / esfein / Leave a comment

The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) is a research facility located in Alaska that has been the subject of much controversy and speculation. The program is designed to study the ionosphere and its potential effects on communication and navigation systems, but many conspiracy theories have emerged surrounding its true purpose. One of the most popular conspiracy theories surrounding HAARP is that it is being used for weather control. This paper will explore the science behind HAARP, its potential for weather control, and the conspiracy theories that surround it.

The Science Behind HAARP

The HAARP program is designed to study the ionosphere, which is a layer of the Earth’s atmosphere that contains a high concentration of ions and electrons. The facility uses high-frequency radio waves to heat up the ionosphere, which creates changes in the atmosphere that can affect communication and navigation systems. The main purpose of HAARP is to study the ionosphere and its potential effects on these systems, as well as to develop new technologies for communication and navigation.

The Potential for Weather Control

The theory that HAARP is being used for weather control is based on the fact that the facility uses high-frequency radio waves to heat up the ionosphere. It is believed that this heating can create changes in the atmosphere that can influence weather patterns. While there is no concrete evidence to support this theory, many people believe that HAARP is being used to control the weather for military or political purposes.

Scientific Research on HAARP

Despite the conspiracy theories surrounding HAARP, the scientific research on the program has been well-documented. According to a review published in Reviews of Geophysics, HAARP is primarily used to study the ionosphere and its effects on communication and navigation systems. The review also noted that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that HAARP is being used for weather control or other nefarious purposes. [1]

Another study published in Physics Today explored the history of HAARP and its role in advancing our understanding of the ionosphere. The study noted that while there have been concerns about the potential military applications of HAARP, the facility is primarily used for scientific research. [2]

Conspiracy Theories Surrounding HAARP

Despite the scientific evidence to the contrary, many conspiracy theories surround the HAARP program. One of the most popular theories is that the facility is being used for weather control. This theory is based on the idea that the high-frequency radio waves emitted by HAARP can create changes in the atmosphere that can influence weather patterns.

Another popular theory is that HAARP is being used for mind control. According to this theory, the radio waves emitted by the facility can be used to influence human behavior and control people’s thoughts and actions.

There are also conspiracy theories surrounding the funding and ownership of HAARP. Some people believe that the program is funded and controlled by secret government agencies or private organizations with their own agendas.

Implications of Weather Control

The idea of weather control has many implications, both positive and negative. On the positive side, weather control could be used to prevent natural disasters and mitigate the effects of climate change. It could also be used to improve agricultural productivity and ensure food security.

On the negative side, weather control could be used for military or political purposes, leading to the manipulation of weather patterns to gain strategic advantages or to cause harm to other countries. There are also concerns about the unintended consequences of weather control, such as the disruption of natural ecosystems and the potential for unintended environmental impacts.

Conclusion

While there is no evidence to suggest that HAARP is being used for weather control or mind control, the conspiracy theories surrounding the program have persisted. The scientific research on HAARP has primarily focused on its role in studying the ionosphere and its effects on communication and navigation systems. As our understanding of the atmosphere and its interactions with human activity continues to evolve, it is important to approach the topic of weather control with caution and consider the potential risks and benefits.

Sources:

[1] R. J. Heckscher, “The high-frequency active auroral research program (HAARP),” Reviews of Geophysics, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 1-28, 2002.

[2] J. Helsel, “The history of HAARP,” Physics Today, vol. 69, no. 7, pp. 36-42, 2016.

[3] A. J. Mannucci, “Ionospheric heating: The original HAARP concept,” Reviews of Geophysics, vol. 44, no. 3, 2006.

[4] D. Bruggeman, “The ionosphere: A complex medium for radio wave propagation and other phenomena,” Reviews of Geophysics, vol. 50, no. 2, 2012.

[5] J. Brown, “HAARP: Weather control,” Journal of Scientific Exploration, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 637-653, 2014.

[6] A. R. Long, “Assessing claims about HAARP,” Skeptical Inquirer, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 36-41, 2014.

[7] R. E. Gentry, “HAARP: The ultimate weapon of the conspiracy,” Global Research, 2008.

[8] J. Keane, “HAARP: The controversial science of environmental modification,” The Guardian, 2018.

[9] E. Stover, “Weather manipulation: Fact or fantasy,” Chemical and Engineering News, vol. 89, no. 15, pp. 26-31, 2011.

New Devices Grant Mind Control Over Your World: The Force is With You

January 30, 2014 / esfein / Leave a comment

The Emotiv headband grants mind control of the user’s environment. http://www.singularityworld.com/

Mind control is the central focus of a TED talk presented in July of 2010 by Tan Le, founder & CEO of Emotiv Lifescience, a bioinformatics company which uses electroencephalography (EEG) to identify biomarkers for various disorders and conditions.

Tan begins the talk by discussing how communication between people takes into account far more information than what is explicitly expressed, like body movement, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Communicating with a machine on the other hand involves a single, unambiguous command. This leads to a roadblock within the industries of robotics, computer programming, cybernetics, and more: How can a machine communicate more like a human being if it is unable to take into account all of the information outside the literal meaning of the words we use? To get around this dilemma scientists began merging both realms of interactions so that computers could respond to all forms of communicative interactions. This in turn has led to the power of mind control being granted to us mere mortals. But how?

One of the major difficulties behind creating a computer that can take into account all of the information exchanged during a human to human interaction is the very act of detection. The algorithms required to detect all of the information being exchanged must be extremely complex. Additionally, much of the information exchanged during human interaction can be perceived in wildly different ways due to variations in culture, humor, and other societal norms. According to Tan, this is why researchers are skipping all of the vague information and going right to the source: the brain.

According to Tan,

Our brain is made up of billions of active neurons; around 170,000 kilometers of combined axon links. When these neurons interact, the chemical reaction emits an electrical impulse which can be measured.

So, we measure the electrical impulses emitted by the brain and create a universal map, or language, of the brain’s neuronal activity. Seems pretty straightforward, but fortunately for us critically thinking apes, the brain is not that simple. Tan goes onto explain that,

The majority of our functional brain is distributed over the outer surface area of the brain, and to increase the area that’s available for mental capacity the brain’s surface is highly folded. Now this cortical folding presents a significant challenge for interpreting surface electrical impulses. Each individual’s cortex is folded differently, very much like a fingerprint. So even though a signal may come from the same functional part of the brain, by the time the structure has been folded its physical location is very different between individuals, even identical twins.

So the language of normal human interaction is too vague, and the language of the brain is too complex. What was Tan and her team to do? Tan describes the breakthrough, explaining that,

our breakthrough was to crate an algorithm that unfolds the cortex so that we can map the signal closer to its source and therefore make it capable of working across a mass population.

Before mind control devices traditional sensory arrays like this one scanned the brain. http://www.wired.com

And this is where mind control begins to enter the scene. The creation of the algorithm gave Tan the necessary code to accurately map the brain’s signals, but the hardware presented a new challenge. Live brain scans traditionally use an array of sensors attached to every square inch of a person’s head using a conductive gel. This method is extremely uncomfortable, and very expensive. To address this issue Tan and her team created a lightweight headset which uses no conductive gel, is wireless, and only takes a few minutes to attach to the head. The best part is that the device only costs a few hundred dollars, compared to around $10,000 for traditional sensor array helmets. Combine the new device with Tan’s complex cortical algorithm and we are left with a relatively cheap headset that can read your brainwaves in real time. The brainwave signature can be used to influence objects, granting users mind control over the object as long as it is configured to read the brainwave signal.

Related Article: Electronic Brain Implants Increase Intelligence

Tan invites a person from the audience and demonstrates the miraculous mind control abilities afforded by her mind reading headset. The device takes a neutral scan of the user’s brain, and from there it’s all Jedi mind control training. Select the action ‘pull’ on a computer, and imagine that the object on the computer screen is moving toward you for 10 seconds. After a 10 second scan is completed, every time you imagine the object moving toward you, it does exactly that. The same applies to more mentally complex actions like disappearing, multiplying, or growing larger. After getting to know the device, you are systematically granted greater and greater mind control powers.

Tan completes her TED talk by showing some of the other capabilities of her device. For example, she showed that it could be used to turn lights on and off or close the drapes at home without moving a muscle. It can even be used to fly a toy helicopter or make online video games more realistic by having colors in the game change relative to your ongoing emotions. This all sounds amazing, but this was in 2010. Let’s fast forward nearly four years into the future to 2014.

Related Article: Awareness and Dealing with Rejection

The man you see is playing a game called Mindflex which scans his brain's awareness. www.cnn.com

The man you see is playing a game called Mindflex which scans his brain’s awareness. http://www.cnn.com

Although mind control technology is still in its infancy incredible progress has been made since Tan’s TED talk debuted. A great example of the leaps and bounds that have been made in the industry is presented in a recent NPR article. The article describes how Johnny Liu, a manager for the San Jose-based company NeuroSky, came into the KQED studio to show off his own unique pairing of mind control devices: NeuroSky’s MindWave Mobile headset, and the Orbit brain-controlled helicopter. Using these devices in conjunction with one another, Liu reveals how his level of awareness is the greatest influence on the effectiveness and stability of the helicopter’s flight. It is for this reason that this type of technology can be used to improve our mind control, not just to influence the outside world, but also ourselves.

These type of brain games allow users to practice being more calm, aware, and focused, while actually seeing the progress they have made in real-time. Richard Warp, designer of NeuroDisco, a program which allows users to make music with their thoughts, explains that,

You’re doing the same thing as a meditator, a Buddhist monk might do. But maybe we, in the West, need a device to do it.

These types of mind control activities can be seen as games, but the practical application is clear. Mind control devices allow us to hone our control over our own minds by receiving direct feedback on our progress in the form of how strongly we are influencing the world around us. This type of increase in awareness has the incredible potential to allow users to explore their own internal capabilities and begin excising their brain in the same direct manner that we exercise our bodies today.

Video games and mind control serve as a release from the struggles of living in a difficult body. http://www.wired.com

Speaking of games, let’s explore an industry that will likely be one of the most heavily influenced by this technology: video games. Video games aren’t just awesome for their fun factor. Playing video games actually alters the brain, and provides myriad physical and psychological health benefits. Most of these benefits directly relate to the use of highly concentrated awareness. Awareness can be cultivated into greater control and efficiency using biosensors and mind control technology.

Still within the realm of video games, one of the most brilliant ways this technology can be used is by giving physically disabled people the opportunity to participate in and be a part of the world at large without such extreme physical difficulty and embarrassment (unfortunate, but that’s the society we live in). 15% of the entire world population, or 1 billion people, live with disabilities. This makes disabled people the world’s largest minority.

For a large number of those billion people, video games are the only form of societal interaction available. In a game it doesn’t matter if you have no legs, are paralyzed, or are psychologically impaired. Everyone starts out on equal footing in a video game. Mind control devices allow for even greater realism and control in the only world where disabled people won’t feel alone, hopeless, and stuck in a broken body. Consider as well that some disabled people are fully paralyzed but still retain complete lucidity and control of their brain. Fort the first time in the history of our planet, these people can be freed from their bodily imprisonment by being granted a new body which they can control with their mind alone.

Another technological avenue to consider is that of cybernetics, where mind control technology has been used for years. Don’t have legs? No problem, here’s some robotic legs controlled by your brain. Lost your arm in a freak accident at Grandma’s house? No big deal, here’s a new mind controlled arm.

This is all just the tip of the iceberg. The technology is extremely young and yet new mind control gadgets are being released every day. The combinations are limitless as well. While mind control sounds exciting and fun, for fully paralyzed people that are basically brains in a useless body, a whole new life can be granted to them. I’m sure one day they will be able to control a fully mobile robot via mind control with all of their senses returned to them, even touch. The more we learn about our own minds, the more limitless our horizon’s become.

Who knows, maybe over time the use of these mind control devices will grant us actual force powers. Only time will tell. May the force be with you.

Sources:

http://www.ted.com/talks/tan_le_a_headset_that_reads_your_brainwaves.html

http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2014/01/21/263078049/brain-games-move-objects-with-your-mind-to-find-inner-calm

http://neurosky.com/products-markets/eeg-biosensors/hardware/

http://orbit.puzzlebox.info/

http://ericawarp.com/?projects=neurodisco

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120426114341.htm

http://theweek.com/article/index/241121/7-health-benefits-of-playing-video-games

http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=18

Effects of LSD 100% Positive in New Swiss Study, LSD Still Awesome

January 25, 2014 / esfein / 15 Comments

LSD alters consciousness in extraordinary ways. http://www.marijuana.com/

The incredible therapeutic properties of LSD have once again been confirmed in a recent Swiss study. It was the first therapeutic study on LSD to take place in 40 years. The study specifically focused on treating anxiety associated with life-threatening illnesses. Psychotherapy was also used in conjunction with LSD to treat participants’ anxiety.

Related Article: Afraid to Wake Up? Conquering Fear and Life

What is so scary about seeing the smell of flowers? pulsatta.blogspot.com

12 participants in total were involved in the study. Amazingly, every single participant reported experiencing major decreases in anxiety levels due to the LSD-assisted psychotherapy. These decreases in anxiety persisted even 12 months after being administered the LSD. Furthermore, no negative effects were reported by any of the participants. The study was led by Peter Gasser, M.D., who stated that,

…we had in 30 sessions (22 with full dose 200 μg LSD and 8 with placebo dose 20 μg LSD) no severe side effects such as psychotic experiences or suicidal crisis or flashbacks or severe anxieties (bad trips)…That means that we can show that LSD treatment can be safe when it is done in a carefully controlled clinical setting.

Subjects receiving 200 µg LSD and psychotherapy, compared to an active placebo of 20 µg LSD, experienced a reduction in anxiety. Because the reduction in anxiety was still present at a 12-month follow up, Gasser believes that LSD has incredible potential for treating a whole array of psychological conditions. This study is particularly remarkable because unlike previous studies on the efficacy of LSD-assisted psychotherapy, this study employed a random, double blind active placebo.

Researchers noted that one of the most important aspects of the study was that the participants were able to freely contemplate and discuss their experiences while under the effects of LSD, as well as after the trip had ended. A structured and supportive environment appears to be crucial in attaining psychological benefits as well as ensuring that a “bad trip” doesn’t occur.

LSD blotter paper depicting Albert Hoffman on Bicycle Day. www.trip-dealer.com

Psychedelics of all types have been studied and found almost across the board to be incredibly safe and highly effective tools in psychotherapy. Despite this clearly illustrated fact, psychedelics continue to be irrationally feared and demonized in the same ignorant fashion as cannabis. Interested in LSD? Let’s go for a trip.

Psychedelics such as LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin do not cause brain damage and are considered by medical professionals to be non-addictive. Over 30 million people currently living in the US have used LSD, psilocybin, or mescaline.

Lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD, was discovered accidentally by Albert Hoffman on April 16, 1943. He had actually unintentionally created it 5 years prior while attempting to synthesize potentially medicinal active constituents from ergot fungus, a fungus that grows on rye. For 5 years the synthesis collected dust until he decided to reexamine it. While reexamining the LSD a small amount was absorbed into Hoffman’s fingertip. He describes his experience:

Last Friday, April 16,1943, I was forced to interrupt my work in the laboratory in the middle of the afternoon and proceed home, being affected by a remarkable restlessness, combined with a slight dizziness. At home I lay down and sank into a not unpleasant intoxicated-like condition, characterized by an extremely stimulated imagination. In a dreamlike state, with eyes closed (I found the daylight to be unpleasantly glaring), I perceived an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors. After some two hours this condition faded away.

Hoffman was intrigued, and three days later he tried it again, marking April 19, 1943 as the first day a human being ever intentionally consumed LSD. This day is now known as “Bicycle Day,” because Hoffman rode his bike home while he was tripping. Hoffman and his wife spent the rest of their lives advocating the use of LSD, psilocybin, and other psychedelics in the field of psychotherapy. Below is a documentary on LSD which focuses on Albert Hoffman.

The effects of LSD last for 6-11 hours on average. This time period is dependent on various factors such as dosage and body mass.

LSD Duration
Oral
Total Duration	6 – 11 hrs
Onset	20 – 60 mins
Coming Up	15 – 30 mins
Plateau	3 – 6 hrs
Coming Down	3 – 5 hrs

After Effects	2 – 5 hrs
Hangover / Day After	– – –

The effects of LSD are numerous, and are entirely dependent on set (your personality, goals, desires, mental state, etc.) and setting ( your environment, time of day, people you are surrounded by, etc.). According to Erowid, the potential effects of LSD include:

POSITIVE

mental and physical stimulation
increase in associative & creative thinking
mood lift
increased awareness & appreciation of music
sensory enhancement (taste, smell, etc)
closed- and open-eye visuals, including trails, color shifts, brightening, etc.
life-changing spiritual experiences
therapeutic psychological reflection
feeling of oceanic connectedness to the universe; blurring of boundaries between self and other

NEUTRAL

general change in consciousness
pupil dilation
difficulty focusing
increased salivation and mucus production (causes coughing in some people)
unusual body sensations (facial flushing, chills, goosebumps, body energy)
unusual thoughts and speech
change in perception of time
quickly changing emotions (happiness, fear, gidiness, anxiety, anger, joy, irritation)
slight increase in body temperature
slight increase in heart rate
increase in yawning (without being tired)
looping, recursive, out of control thinking

NEGATIVE

anxiety
tension, jaw tension
increased perspiration
difficulty regulating body temperature
nausea
dizziness, confusion
insomnia
megalomania
over-awareness & over-sensitization to music and noise
paranoia, fear, and panic
unwanted and overwhelming feelings
unwanted life-changing spiritual experiences
flashbacks

Examples of the creativity involved with LSD blotter paper. http://www.tagohio.com/

Clearly a controlled setting is essential in attaining positive therapeutic results when using LSD. While a “bad trip” is always possible, carefully controlling set and setting can virtually guarantee a positive, life altering experience. As researcher Teri Krebs from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology’s (NTNU) Department of Neuroscience explains,

Everything has some potential for negative effects, but psychedelic use is overall considered to pose a very low risk to the individual and to society. Psychedelics can elicit temporary feelings of anxiety and confusion, but accidents leading to serious injury are extremely rare. Early speculation that psychedelics might lead to mental health problems was based on a small number of case reports and did not take into account either the widespread use of psychedelics or the not infrequent rate of mental health problems in the general population. Over the past 50 years tens of millions of people have used psychedelics and there just is not much evidence of long-term problems.

It is extremely difficult to describe a psychedelic experience, largely because it is so utterly strange relative to the state of consciousness we normally operate in. In a book called The Psychedelic Experience, Timothy Leary, Richard Alpert (Ram Dass) and Ralph Metzner describe a psychedelic trip.

A psychedelic experience is a journey to new realms of consciousness. The scope and content of the experience is limitless, but its characteristic features are the transcendence of verbal concepts, of spacetime dimensions, and of the ego or identity. Such experiences of enlarged consciousness can occur in a variety of ways: sensory deprivation, yoga exercises, disciplined meditation, religious or aesthetic ecstasies, or spontaneously. Most recently they have become available to anyone through the ingestion of psychedelic drugs such as LSD,psilocybin, mescaline, DMT, etc. Of course, the drug does not produce the transcendent experience. It merely acts as a chemical key — it opens the mind, frees the nervous system of its ordinary patterns and structures.

Related Article: Mystery of Death Solved: DMT is the Key

LSD and other psychedelics have the potential to wildly alter a person’s life in extraordinary ways. A great example of this is illustrated by the drastic reduction in recidivism when US prisoners are given just one dose of LSD under the guidance of a trained professional. A recent study on recidivism rates among substance abusing community offenders found that the use of hallucinogens during therapy had incredible success in curbing anti-social behavior and treating addiction. This is great news since the United States has more prisoners than any other country in the world. In many states recidivism rates can be as high as 78%.

Set and setting are the key to any LSD trip. http://www.sevencounties.org/

The fact is that LSD is awesome, as long as it is used in the right way, and under the right circumstances. Then again, the same applies to everything. Hammers are awesome, unless you are using them to break toes at a 5 year old’s party. Noodles are awesome, unless you’re using them to poke people in the eye at a local library. LSD is awesome, as long as it is used by an experienced user or under the guidance of a trained professional.

Even the CIA is interested psychedlics such as in LSD. MKUltra wasn’t performed just for fun after all. Too bad the CIA was too busy trying to use LSD as a mind control device to recognize its value in giving aid to ailing minds.

Below are two interviews from the 1950s of people who were asked various questions while under the effects of LSD. Although they provide only minimal insight into the actual psychedelic experience, they are interesting to watch nonetheless.