Eric Murray STSC 400 Final Research Paper
Abstract
Since psychedelic drugs were engrained in 1960s culture, several leaders like Timothy Leary and
Ken Kesey emerged, each focusing on different aspects of drug use. After the passing of the
Controlled Substances Act in 1970 and continued enforcement of drug laws, drugs became less of a cultural norm and the act of taking drugs was now a much more private, secretive process.
With the advent of the Internet, online drug communities such as Erowid and r/TripSit have formed and share many of the same values with those groups from the 1960s. However, these groups today prioritize safety and responsible use above everything else. At the same time, we can see how many from 1960s drug culture aspects have been virtualized today.
From Physical to Virtual: The Evolution of Drug Culture from the 1960s to Today
Over the past several millennia, people have been using drugs for many different purposes. During the Stone Age, man used various psychoactive drugs for religious purposes.1
During the 1960s, Timothy Leary promoted the use of hallucinogenic drugs to explore consciousness, spirituality, and the limitations of mind. Around the same time, hippies were constantly experimenting with drugs for enjoyment and recreational purposes. Today, there are several online communities dedicated to discussing issues related to drugs. From Erowid.org to
R/drugs, R/psychonaut, and R/TripSit on Reddit, there are many different groups, which focus on
1 Wynne-Jones, Jonathan. "Stone Age man took drugs, say scientists." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 19 Oct. 2008. Web. 4 May 2014.