Shamanic Graffiti: 100,000 Years of Drugs, 100 Years of Prohibition

The mainstream use of LSD has been around for the past half century, having both positive and negative effects. Some users have been opened to new worlds and spiritual transformation, while others have had one bad trip that compromised their thoughts and mind. LSD was exploited by the CIA for utilization in its efforts at mind control (MK-ULTRA, Bluebird, etc). Shamanic Graffiti explains how LSD has been explored as a cure for depression and alcoholism, chiefly at Hollywood Hospital in Vancouver. The use of other psychedelics is explored as relating to religion and tribal rituals. The work of men such as Timothy Leary and Frank Ogden are touched on in this alternative viewing of drugs.

Shamanic Graffiti is an opposing viewpoint to the “psychedelics are dangerous” argument that has been tossed about for many years. The author explains that the work conducted in Vancouver Hospital was in many ways successful as it was overseen by caring and intelligent doctors as opposed to the carefree dosing of hippies and beatniks throughout the United States, some of which ended in psychosis if not worse. LSD, Psilocybin, and others are drugs from many past cultures can have healing powers, if handled the right way. A fascinating page-turner that will get the reader to think anew about drugs and the drug war.