Eric Murray STSC 400 Final Research Paper

Abstract

Since psychedelic were engrained in 1960s culture, several leaders like Timothy Leary and

Ken Kesey emerged, each focusing on different aspects of 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 , online drug communities such as 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 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, 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. .

1 different aspects of drug culture; however they all prioritize one element: safety. Although the cultural acceptance of psychoactive drugs has changed over time, many of the aspects of drug culture in the 1960s still resonate in the online drug communities today. The Internet has both enabled these facets to remain important and adapted to the times by emphasizing new aspects.

The Internet has changed (and continues to change) the way we not only get information but also interact with other people. As with any technology, there are concerns and debates about it. Some believe that the Internet is promoting drug use and making the substances easier to acquire. With communities focused on openly discussing their use, the members respect these substances, but also understand the risks and dangers behind their usage. I believe these Internet communities promote and safety much more than earlier drug cultures.

With the advent of the Internet, people can do their own research and have access to any information about any topic almost instantaneously. This information includes material about drugs. For this paper, I will focus on psychedelic drugs (LSD, ,

Mushrooms, etc.) rather than harder drugs (, , , etc.). Although resources about responsible use exist for the latter, psychedelic drugs were much more engrained in the 1960s culture.

Drug Culture of the 1960s and 1970s

When someone is asked to think about the 1960s and 1970s, images of hippies,

Woodstock, and counter-culture movement may be the first images to come to mind. For many of the people associated with those, drugs were an important part of their culture. At this time, drug use did not have as negative of a stigma surrounding it as it does today. It was engrained in

2 music, clothing, and recreation at the time. Musicians would openly discuss their experiences with substances. The Beatles’ song “Tomorrow Never Knows” incorporates the writings from

Timothy Leary’s The into the lyrics. John Lennon sings, “Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream. It is not dying, it is not dying.” Similarly, other bands and their performances became associated with taking acid at a show. For example, the Grateful

Dead would perform at “acid tests” where large groups of people would collectively take acid.2

In addition to the commonality of these substances, there was one other issue that differs from today: the legality of these substances. Drugs like LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, and ecstasy were all legal prior to 1970. Rather than enforcing severe punishments, the government was actually sponsoring research about using these substances for clinical psychology and various other purposes.3 Toward the end of the 1960s, each of the substances became illegal separately. In 1970, President Richard Nixon pushed for the passing of the Controlled

Substances Act, which made the government’s stance on psychoactive drugs clear. According to the act, drugs were classified into to different classes according to the potential for abuse, danger to user, and medical uses. Ecstasy, Psilocybin, and LSD all were classified as Schedule I drugs.

While this did not stop drug use at the time, it marked the beginning of the “.” The openness of using drugs began to decrease and presentations about the dangers of drugs would start becoming more commonplace.

Timothy Leary

2 Wolfe, Tom. The Electric Kool-aid Acid Test. Bantam trade pbk. ed. New York: Bantam Books, 1968. Print.

3 "University of Virginia Library Online Exhibits | The Psychedelic '60s: Literary Tradition and Social Change." University of Virginia Library . University of Virginia , n.d. Web. 4 May 2014. https://explore.lib.virginia.edu/ exhibits/show/sixties/walkthrough/kenkesey.

3 One of the most well known proponents of using LSD was Timothy Leary. Before any of his psychoactive experiences, Leary was a psychologist and professor at Berkeley and then

Harvard. After hearing about a colleague’s experience with psilocybin mushrooms, Leary became very intrigued and travelled to Mexico to try the substance. This single psychedelic experience would forever change Leary’s life. Describing the experience, he said, “I learned more about the mind than I had in 15 years as a diligent psychologist.”4 Immediately upon returning to Harvard, he began to organize research projects to understand how psilocybin affects people’s behavior. However, the Harvard administration did not like the attention and association with psychedelics, so they fired Leary and his partner Richard Alpert; however, this was simply the beginning for Leary and his work.

After his departure from Harvard, he moved into a mansion in upstate New York to continue studying the effects of psychedelic drugs.5 During his time there, Leary became fascinated with LSD and its effects on human consciousness. For months, he continued studying how the drug changed his perception of reality and how to ensure the most meaningful trips possible. At first, Leary only took the drug with those closest to him. However, he soon felt like this was something everyone needed to experience. As a result, Leary began offering private lessons on how to make the most of one’s trip. He focused on the “” of the psychedelic experience. The set described the expectations and preparation for the trip. Setting was the environment and those one was with. For these private sessions, Leary acted as a “trip

4 Timothy Leary. Dir. Dan Richards. British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC), 2000. Film.

5 Mansnerus, Laura. "Timothy Leary, Pied Piper Of Psychedelic 60's, Dies at 75." The New York Times. The New York Times, 31 May 1996. Web. 4 May 2014. .

4 sitter” or someone who guides the person through his or her journey. When one was properly prepared and in a good setting, he or she would be able to achieve true “transcendence.”6

We see this stress on transcendence, exploration of one’s mind, and spirituality in Leary’s writings. In his book The Psychedelic Experience, Leary writes a manual on how to explore consciousness through psychoactive drugs. Describing the purpose of the book, Leary writes,

“…to teach the person to direct and control awareness in such a way to reach that level of understanding variously called liberation, illumination, or enlightenment.”7 This manual is for someone who is seriously willing to prepare properly for the experience and “not for general reading.”8 Someone reading this book is not taking a psychedelic substance and hoping for simply an enjoyable experience. The intended reader’s goals should be to have a life changing spiritual experience and to expand the limits of his or her mind.

After describing the purpose of the book, he begins to describe the stages of a psychedelic trip. Splitting a trip into three “Bardos” or stages, Leary goes into detailed descriptions for each one. For every Bardo, there is an explanation about what one’s mind is experiencing. In the description of the second Bardo, “The Period of Hallucinations,” Leary writes, “The underlying problem of the Second Bardo is that any and every shape- human, divine, diabolical, heroic, evil, animal, thing… can present itself to consciousness. The underlying solution- repeated again and again- is to recognize that your brain is producing the

6 Leary, Timothy, Ralph Metzner, and Richard Alpert. The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead. 1966. Reprint. Secaucus: Citadel Press, 1976. Print.

7 Leary et al. p 12.

8 Leary et al. p 11.

5 visions.”9 Leary is presenting and explaining each stage of the psychedelic trip, so the reader is fully prepared and understands what is happening. After the description of the Bardos, Leary spends the last section discussing several psychedelic drugs and the proper set and setting for these trips. He recommends an experienced “voyager” to guide one on his or her trip.

Throughout the entire book, there is little mention of safety or how to enjoy the trip for fun.

Leary is solely focused on guiding people to explore their minds and have a spiritual, life- changing journey.

As Timothy Leary continued to gain in popularity, more and more people became interested in having a life-changing journey with LSD. Demonstrating his respect for this substance and its effects, Leary founded his own religion called the League for Spiritual

Discovery in 1966.10 Hoping to continue using the substance legally for religious purposes,

Leary claimed LSD was the group’s sacrament and center of worship. However, his plan ultimately failed and the drug remained illegal for all.

Eventually, Leary became involved with much more than simply just promoting LSD usage. Encouraging young people to “tune on, tune in, drop out,” Leary was now a counterculture icon among the youth in the end of the 1960s.11 Throughout the rest of his life, he would continue to encourage the use of LSD for spiritual and mind altering experiences. While

Timothy Leary still remains a controversial figure today, his beliefs regarding psychedelics always focused the individual and how the experience could change one’s life for the better.

9 Leary et al. p 48.

10 Mansnerus, Laura. "Timothy Leary, Pied Piper Of Psychedelic 60's, Dies at 75."

11 Ibid.

6 Ken Kesey

While Leary was preaching about exploring consciousness in New York, one group of drug users on the West Coast took a very different stance regarding using LSD. Before the

Controlled Substances Act, the government was still heavily researching many psychoactive drugs and the effects on the human body. After participating in one of these government-funded studies on the effects of LSD, a young man from California, Ken Kesey became fascinated with the substance and its communal enjoyable effects.12 Along with several of his friends (which would become known as his Merry Pranksters), Kesey began promoting the substance and would continue for much of the 1960s.

Rather than tripping alone or with one other person, Kesey’s group emphasized the communal aspect of taking the drug. In the book, The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, Tom Wolfe tells the story of Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters. Showing this quality, Wolfe writes, “And it was beautiful. Everybody goes manic and euphoric like a vast contact high, like they have all suddenly taken acid themselves.”13 Hoping to spread the joy of taking acid with everyone, they travelled across the country in a bus called “Furthur.” During their travels, they would constantly be experimenting with drugs in different places with different people.

While Kesey enjoyed taking LSD with his friends, he wanted to reach even more people.

As a result, he began organizing and holding events called “acid tests” between 1965 and 1966.

12 "University of Virginia Library Online Exhibits | The Psychedelic '60s: Literary Tradition and Social Change." University of Virginia Library . University of Virginia , n.d. Web. 4 May 2014. https://explore.lib.virginia.edu/ exhibits/show/sixties/walkthrough/kenkesey.

13 Wolfe, Tom. The Electric Kool-aid Acid Test. Bantam trade pbk. ed. New York: Bantam Books, 1968. Print.

7 At these events, there would be lights, music, and everything one needed to have an enjoyable trip in Kesey’s opinion. The documentary Electric Kool-Aid- LSD and the Psychedelic

Revolution describes this period. Emphasizing the communal aspects of these “acid tests”, Wavy

Gravy, one of the Merry Pranksters, said, “This one girl started freaking out and goes, ‘who cares! Who cares!’ So I set out on a quest for the ‘who cares’ girl. Eventually, I found her in a little side room and as I found her, there were also 25 people who had found and we made a circle around her… but if you reach out to help someone, you’re gonna get high.”14 This first hand account demonstrates how people were willing to help each other to ensure good trips.

Helping and being there for other people under the influence of drugs was extremely important for the group.

Kesey and the Merry Pranksters clearly held different values than Timothy Leary. While

Leary focused on the spiritual aspects of psychedelics, Kesey’s group emphasized the recreational and enjoyable uses of the drug. Simply enjoying the experience and connecting with one other was the group’s goal. In The Electric Kool-Aid Test, Wolfe writes, “it was sheer generosity giving all this acid away, it was truly turning on the world, inviting all in to share the

Pranksters' ecstasy of the All-one ... all become divine vessels in unison, and it is all there in

Kool-Aid and a paper cup.”15 However, there were clearly few safety measures taken. People attending these parties simply trusted Kesey and the Merry Pranksters. In a cup of the “Electric

Kool-Aid,” it was impossible to know how much LSD one was ingesting.

14 Electric Kool-Aid: LSD and the 60s Psychedelic Revolution. Dir. Kevin Alexander. Perf. Kiefer Sutherland. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 1995. Film.

15 Wolfe, Tom. The Electric Kool-aid Acid Test. Bantam trade pbk. ed. New York: Bantam Books, 1968. Print.

8 Many of these people were simply focused on having a good time. However, within this group, the spiritual and mind-altering effects of the drug also fascinated some of Kesey’s followers. Even Kesey himself was interested in the mind as evident by his work One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The work tells the story of a patient who is put in a psychiatric hospital instead of prison by acting insane. Throughout the book, Kesey discusses not only the psychiatric system of the time but also the human mind. Similar to Tim Leary, Kesey was interested in the capabilities of the human mind and how drugs could alter consciousness.

Drug culture in the 1960s and 1970s cannot be defined by one or two specific qualities since followers of Leary and Kesey were using the drug for very different purposes. However, both sides shared a respect for these psychoactive drugs. Whether for enjoyment, exploration, spirituality, or a combination of these purposes, these substances opened doors to amazing experiences for everyone.

After the 1970s, psychedelics drugs began fading from popular culture. Drug use became a much more private, secretive experience. Increasing enforcement of drug laws, constant anti- drug propaganda, and distrust of the substances or dealers themselves all contributed to this decline. Since 1983, DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Program) has been giving presentations to students about the dangers of drugs. These presentations are very one-sided and often include very gruesome and depressing stories hoping to discourage drug use. Describing the current state stances, Earth and Fire Erowid write, “…for state-funded programs related to illicit drugs or , California legislates that “No aspect of the program may include a message on

‘responsible use.’”16 Despite these efforts, some people will inevitably use drugs. Rather than

16 Erowid, Earth, and Fire Erowid. "Towards a Culture of Responsible Use." Cato Unbound 8 Sept. 2008: n. pag. Cato Unbound. Web. 4 May 2014.

9 have these people misinformed, a new generation of drug users is using the Internet to encourage safety and responsible drug use. These “online hippies” share some of the same values as drug cultures of the past, but safety is prioritized above all. Although the cultures have slightly changed, the respect for the substances and each other remains.

Online Drug Communities

In February 2004, a college student with intense paranoia rushed himself into the hospital fearing he was in danger. When he informed the staff that he had taken a drug called -I, the medical staff had no idea what that meant or how to treat him. Luckily, Jack Ludlow, a medical student working at the hospital, knew about a website called Erowid.org. Ludlow immediately searched the “most comprehensive encyclopedia of psychoactive substances” for information on the substance.17 Shortly after, he found the chemical structure and other important information about the hallucinogenic drug. Describing this experience, Ludlow writes, “This information helped us to treat this patient’s symptoms.”18 While some may argue that the Internet has encouraged drug use, it has also become a vital tool for learning about these psychoactive elements. If one wants to learn about drugs, the first source is Erowid.org.

In early 1995, Earth and Fire Erowid began a small website dedicated to posting new information about a few psychoactive drugs. After witnessing people take unknown substances and putting themselves at risk of serious harm, they realized they had to expand the site.

17 Davis, Erik. "Don’t Get High Without It." LA Weekly. LA Weekly, 29 Apr. 2004. Web. 4 May 2014. .

18 Ibid

10 Discussing this decision, Fire Erowid writes, “… most information about these uncommon chemicals still traveled by word of mouth, even among medical personnel. The classic message- garbling of the "telephone game" was a serious problem, not only among people buying, selling, and ingesting psychoactives, but also among those charged with treating overdoses or problems. We realized we needed to build lines of communication with experts and community members….”19 Soon, the owners expanded the number of drugs included on the site. When trying to gain information about these drugs, Earth and Fire “read every article that was published on the site” to ensure accuracy and safety for the user.20 Providing visitors with safe and valuable information was and still remains their primary concern.

Visiting the home page of the website, there are 5 main sections, “Plants & Drugs,”

“Mind & Spirit,” “Freedom & Law,” “Arts & Culture,” and “Library.” Many of these aspects relate to cultural aspects of Leary’s and Kesey’s groups. In the “Mind & Spirit” section, there are techniques for exploring one’s mind, resources about spiritual experiences, and much more.

It is very reminiscent of Leary’s focus with LSD usage. Similarly, “Culture & Art” includes information about community, artwork, music, and more which Kesey and the Merry Pranksters would likely appreciate. Once we visit the “Plants & Drugs” page, we can see the focus on and providing users with safe information.

On the page for LSD, there are options for anything one wants to learn about the substance. This includes: FAQs, History, Health, Testing & Analysis, Research Articles,

Chemistry, Experiences, and more. One of the most of the most important sections is the “Ask

19 Erowid F. "Erowid: 10 Years of History." Erowid Extracts. Jun 2005;8:12-14.

20 Ibid

11 Erowid Answers.” Each drug has a section, where users can post questions about the substance and receive reputable answers by moderators. The “Experiences” section is another revealing part about the site. Currently with 1311 trip reports for Acid, users can post their experiences with the drug. Whether one wants to know about bad trips, preparation, or combinations with other drugs, these experiences from others are there for the community to learn and ensure safe practices.

With over 360,000 visitors per day, Erowid has become an extremely popular resource.

However, running a website with this much traffic is expensive. With no government funding or fees for users, the project is completely supported by volunteer donations. People realize that this is a necessary resource to keep people informed and safe when they are using drugs.

However, some may ask if having this information available actually encourages people to be more responsible. According to a 2005 study, that is exactly what it does. Discussing the results of the study, Boyer et al. writes, “…all respondents in our cohort modified their drug use after reviewing online drug information. This observation suggests that the Internet has a profound ability to affect decisions related to psychoactive substance use in a cohort of innovative drug users.”21

Further supporting its emphasis on safety, Erowid even offers opportunities for people to test the drugs they purchase in two different ways. First, the site provides links to websites where users can purchase a testing kit. These kits come with a solution mixture that changes color when it touches a small amount of the substance. The user then checks the color guide for what color the mixture should be. For example, let’s say pure LSD is supposed to come up with

21 Boyer, E. W.. "The Internet And Psychoactive Substance Use Among Innovative Drug Users." Pediatrics 115.2 (2005): 302-305. Print.

12 a black color. If one tests the drug, and a different color appears, then they know the substance is not LSD. In an effort to ensure people know what they are taking, another important resource that Erowid offers is called the EcstasyData project. One sends a sample of a drug to a laboratory to be tested. The substance is then tested to ensure that it is what one believes. Once they have the results, a photo of the sample, the actual substance, and location (where the drug was purchased) is uploaded on the site. For example, if someone bought a Domino shaped pill in

Detroit around April 2014, they can know for sure that the pill is solely MDMA.22 Currently, there are 3033 total entries on the site with the most recent postings from April 29, 2014.23

These are just more examples of how Erowid keeps their users safe and knowledgeable about the substances they are taking.

In the past, we saw how people at the Acid tests would have no idea how much acid one was ingesting in their cup of Kool-Aid. While Kesey obviously wanted everyone to enjoy themselves, some drug dealers today are selling people completely different substances than what they advertise. Over the past few years, this has become a growing problem in the electronic music and club scenes. This past September, six people died in Florida from taking what they believed was MDMA; however, it was actually a drug called PMA. Discussing this problem, Emanuel Sferios, writes, “A large percentage of pills sold as Ecstasy do not contain the drug at all or are laced with other drugs, including or PCP or cocaine…”24

While this may sound like a tactic used by DARE, Sferios is actually the national director of

22 "About Tests and Data: Overview." EcstasyData.org: Lab Test Results for Recreational Drugs. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2014. .

23 Ibid.

24 Campbell, Julia. "Fake Ecstasy Drug Kills Six in Florida." ABC News. ABC News Network, 30 Sept. 2014. Web. 4 May 2014. .

13 DanceSafe, an organization dedicated to providing information about drugs used at clubs.

People like Leary and Kesey wanted to get people high to have an incredible experiences.

Today, some dealers are focused on solely making quick money and have no concern for their customers. One could be naïve in the past and take a drug from a stranger and be fine. Now, that same decision could ultimately cause someone’s death. For this reason, members of the Erowid community stress knowing exactly how much one is taking and understanding the substance.

R/drugs, R/psychonaut, and R/tripsit

Reddit is a website comprised of thousands of different sections called “subreddits.” The users of the website subscribe to the ones that interest them the most. For example, there are generic subreddits like r/funny or r/videos. Then there are much more specific subreddits like r/

FrugalMaleFashion (for guys who went to dress well, but also save money). If there is a group of people who want to discuss or share links about a topic, there is a good chance that a subreddit exists for those people. Each of these subreddits has a passionate community of users, eager to post and share their knowledge about something. Not surprisingly, there are several drug related subreddits. The main three that I will focus on are r/drugs, r/psychonaut, and r/ tripsit.

R/drugs is the most popular of the three subreddits with 161,764 members or “friendly faces round these parts” as they are described on the homepage. Clicking on the rules portion opens up a description of the subreddit. One of the rules reads, “We cannot reliably identify drugs from photos or descriptions and attempting to do so is irresponsible. Substance IDs are therefore not permitted.”25 Clearly, the community does not want to give any false or misleading

25 "R/Drugs." Rules. Reddit, n.d. Web. 4 May 2014. .

14 information. On the sidebar, it recognizes that Erowid is essential resource and says, “Do you have a question about drugs? You should check out Erowid, our Wiki pages on common drugs and the drug knowledge base or the search feature to see if it hasn't been asked before.” While these guidelines may initially seem strict, it ultimately creates much more engaging discussions among users and a strong community of active members.

We cannot understand the culture of the community without looking at some examples of the posts. While an important (and essential) part of Erowid is the objective, unbiased data, r/ drugs thrives on the subjective posts and interactions among users. Browsing through the front page of the subreddit, there are always a variety of posts. One current popular post is titled

“Why meth is not worth your time.” Describing his experience with the drug, the author, mraustinpowers, writes, “…This is not me saying that you can't, or that some people don't already use it recreationally. I'm just saying I found it VERY difficult to limit how much I'd use.

So my reason for posting this is just to inform anyone on the brink of trying it to just stop now or tread carefully. It's not a light drug.”26 The user clearly cares about the fellow members of the community and is simply giving a warning about the drug’s possible dangers. In the comments, other users discuss their similar experiences, ask the original poster questions, or simply encourage him to stay off the drug.

While some posts can be depressing and extremely serious in tone, many others are much more light-hearted and entertaining. For example, the user apvizion posed the question, “On a

26"Drugs." Why meth is not worth your time. N.p., 17 Apr. 2014. Web. 4 May 2014. .

15 scale from 1 - 10 (10 being awesome) rate every drug you’ve tried.”27 Many members wrote their ratings and accompanied them with funny stories. Recounting his experience with salvia,

UniW writes, “…watched somebody else blow through the wall like kool-aid man and never felt the need to go back.”28 In the 1960s, discussion about drugs was much more open. Most were still legal and there was not a “War on Drugs” going on. However now with the Internet, one can write his or her stories freely for others. The members on r/drugs do not have to worry about getting labeled as “junkies” or “druggies” since all of these interactions are anonymous.

However, to avoid any unnecessary negative attention, the side reads in bold, “Any drug solicitation, sourcing or linking to vendors for any reason in this subreddit will result in an immediate banning.”29 These communities do not want to be associated with purchasing drugs, just providing safe information about the substances.

Focusing on the spirituality and mind exploration elements of drug use, r/Psychonaut is the next community I will discuss. Immediately upon visiting the subreddit, one will notice that it is very different from r/drugs. With 66,532 members, the community is focused on exploring their minds and consciousness to the fullest. On the page, it reads, “A Psychonaut is a person who explores activities by which altered states of consciousness are induced and utilized for spiritual purposes or the exploration of the human condition, including shamanism, lamas of the

Tibetan Buddhist tradition, sensory deprivation, and both archaic and modern users of entheogenic substances, in order to gain deeper insights into the mind and spirituality.” By this

27"Drugs." On a scale from 1 - 10 (10 being awesome) rate every drug you've tried.. Reddit, 17 Apr. 2014. Web. 4 May 2014. http://www.reddit.com/r/Drugs/comments/ /23bfue/ on_a_scale_from_1_10_10_being_awesome_rate_every/.

28 Ibid

29 "R/Psychonaut." Psychonaut. Reddit, n.d. Web. 4 May 2014. .

16 definition, we can clearly see what members of this subreddit value. Drugs are more than simply a recreational and social activity. They are a gateway to spiritual and life-changing experiences.

While people can certainly value recreational and spiritual aspects of drugs (as many do), this community simply focuses on those spiritual purposes.

Similar to r/drugs, many of the posts on r/psychonaut deal with personal experiences with drugs or psychedelics trips; however, there are also many thought provoking types of posts.

These include discussions, videos, and images. For example, there is a Calvin and Hobbes image in the top rated posts of all time. Calvin says, “History is the fiction we invent to persuade ourselves that events are knowable and that life has order and direction.” Analyzing the true meaning of what Calvin is saying, a psychonaut, Morganthomps, writes, “… life is chaotic and directionless. So Calvin is apparently saying that history is just a chain of unrelated events which by some fatal mistake we try to make sense of. In reality the two are one. Perfect disparity sustains perfect order.”30 The members of this community enjoy looking beyond the norm and thinking deeply about life, nature, and reality.

R/psychonaut clearly has much in common with Timothy Leary’s beliefs about psychedelics. Just as Leary stressed the preparation before a trip, this Internet community does the same thing. However, rather than physically staying in a mansion in New York and learning from Leary, they are using the Internet to shares their wisdom with each other. Once again, knowledge and understanding the substance is key.

R/TripSit is the last online drug community I will explore. This group defines themselves as “A team of dedicated volunteers working to promote the safer practice of drug consumption of

30"Psychonaut." Calvin, dropping some knowledge. Reddit, 15 Jan. 2014. Web. 4 May 2014. http://www.reddit.com/ r/Psychonaut/com ments/1r3t12/calvin_dropping_some_knowledge/.

17 any sort through free, straight-forward, honest information and support in the context of harm- reduction techniques.”31 While they offer advice just like Erowid or r/drugs, they also offer a much different approach in helping someone be safe and have a good trip. They host a 24/7 chat room where people under the influence of drugs can go for help or simply to just interact with others. The hosts are all volunteers who have a passion for helping other drug users have a safe and enjoyable experience. Demonstrating this emphasis on safety, there is a banner across the top that says, “Click here if you need immediate assistance.”32 If someone clicks on it, he or she will be immediately linked to the chat room and connected with someone to help them.

In order to truly understand the how important this is to the community, one has to analyze the r/tripsit chatroom. I decided to join the chat and ask a simple question like “Has tripsit made you feel safer using drugs or helped you with any of your experiences?”

Immediately afterwards, one user “Freddy_3MeOPCP” wrote, “I dont know what i wouldve done without tripsit back when I was on 25B.”33 Another person, chill3willy|moxy, responded with “if tripsit was here 10-15 years ago my friend wouldnt be dead.”34 While the first user is clearly grateful for such a resource, the second is upset that such an incredible community was not around sooner. Summarizing his experiences on r/tripsit, trainwreck00 writes, “The community has supported me through thick and thin.… I definitely feel safer knowing that my good friends are going to call me out if I do something stupid, or that I can go to and experienced

31 "R/TripSit." Reddit. Reddit, n.d. Web. 4 May 2014. .

32 Ibid.

33 "Kiwi IRC." Kiwi IRC. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 2014. .

34 Ibid.

18 member and ask more about their experience.”35 While some may see those helping this person as simply random people on the Internet, he sees them very differently and refers to these people as his “good friends.”

The connection between 1960s drug culture and r/tripsit may not be evident immediately, but this community embodies countless aspects of what Leary and Kesey valued. Whether tripping in a house with a few people for spiritual discovery or holding a concert and tripping with hundreds, both men were connected physically to these groups. However, members of r/ tripsit are still there for drug users in a different way: virtually. The members of the chat sessions are not always saving someone from a life-threatening situation though. Many of the conversations are simply just focused on having someone to talk to about their experiences.

Conclusion

In the Psychedelic Experience, Leary emphasized the importance of “set” and “setting.”

These two have not disappeared, but are simply evolving with the Internet. Rather than reading a book or visiting a man to help prepare oneself, someone can visit Erowid to learn everything they need to know. Just as people would visit Leary for advice, people are using the Internet to seek out knowledge from others. Similarly, “setting” has changed from physically being in a comfortable location (most often with someone to help guide your experience) to sitting behind a computer and having a tripsitter help them through the experience.

Although safety and responsible use in the 1960s was not as heavily stressed as today, the care for the drug user is still a common aspect in both the 1960s and today. We saw how both

35 "TripSit." How has r/tripsit affected your drug use? :. N.p., 17 Apr. 2014. Web. 5 May 2014. http:// www.reddit.com/r/TripSit/comments/23bp4y/how_has_rtripsit_affected_your_drug_use/.

19 Leary and Kesey cared about their groups and tried to ensure that they had the best (whether fun or spiritual) experience possible. When the “who cares” girl at one of Kesey’s acid tests began freaking out, there were immediately over 20 people there to comfort her. Similarly, if someone needs immediate attention on r/tripsit, there will be a bunch of people ready to help. These strong connections and care between drug users clearly still exist today; however, they are formed through interactions with each other on the Internet. Aside from the shared interest of drugs, the members of these subreddits are all share anonymity on the Internet. Just as drug users in the

1960s trusted Leary and Kesey Pranksters when taking LSD, the same kind of trust still exists between users and their discussions today. On each of the subreddits, members offer their advice and knowledge, so that everyone can have amazing and safe experiences with these substances.

The environment surrounding drugs has changed drastically between the 1960s and now.

With constant anti-drug propaganda, the “War on Drugs,” and untrustworthy dealers, drug culture is not what it used to be. However, online drugs communities have utilized the Internet to counteract these issues and keep the communities not only active but also safe. No matter how much enforcement there is, people will inevitably find ways to use drugs. As long as communities like Erowid and r/tripsit exist, drug users will be able to continue making responsible, informed, and safer decisions about their substance use.

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