12 – LSD and Pop Culture: Journey to the Center of Your Mind

Wendy Lynn Staats • December 6, 2014

In this episode, Mike and Wendy Lynn delve into the mysteries of Lysergic acid diethylamide, or as it’s better known by its acronym, LSD (or its street name, acid). The show starts with a discussion of the invention of LSD in the 1930s, and then into how LSD became the “drugs” in sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll. Then they go into detail on the difference between acid and other drugs and the Steve Jobs method for tripping.

The conversation turns to LSD and pop culture, starting with author Aldous Huxley’s experiments and his influence on Jim Morrison and The Doors. Mama Cass returns to the podcast as we discuss her relationship with the drug. Then it’s the CIA’s MKUltra mind control experiments (Muse would later write a song about it as well) on soldiers and prostitutes in the 1950s, The Men Who Stare At Goats, the counterculture of the 1960s, Dr. Timothy Leary and his influence on Fringe’s Doctor Walter Bishop, and Mad Men.

“I know what it’s like to be dead”, is what Peter Fonda kept saying when The Beatles tripped with him and The Byrds. And then they go into John, Paul, George, and Ringo’s experiences with acid and their songs that were based on those experiences with not only “Lucy Inn the . Then it’s The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, “acid house”, and other tracks that have been influenced by tripping on LSD.

They then finish the conversation with how acid was made illegal to get back at the anti-war hippies and how now LSD has finally been made legal for research in the present, hopefully leading to a common sense policy on humanity’s relationship with the substance.

Links:

Featured Song: Psychonaut by Sunspot

No man is an island,
And when you trip it’s doubly so.
No one is ever alone,
A special kind of radio.
Tune in to go deeper,
Turn on, let it go.
Drop out in the ether,
Drop into the whole.

Alice through the glass.
Alice through the glass.

Tune in to go deeper,
Turn on, let it go.
Drop out in the ether,
Drop into the whole.

I was stuck for so long in one modality,
But now I see I belong, there’s more reality.
Alice through the glass.
Alice through the glass.
I was stuck for so long in one modality,
But now I see I belong, there’s more reality.
Jim goes through the door.
Jim goes through the door.

The post 12 – LSD and Pop Culture: Journey to the Center of Your Mind appeared first on See You On The Other Side.

Halloween in Virgin Islands
October 16, 2025
Celebrate Halloween 2025 in the Virgin Islands with parades, parties, and haunted tales. Explore island legends on Ghost Tours with American Ghost Walks.
Halloween in Puerto Rico
October 16, 2025
Celebrate Halloween in Puerto Rico with haunted attractions, ghost tours in Old San Juan by American Ghost Walks, and spooky island adventures.
Halloween in Red Wing
October 16, 2025
Celebrate Halloween in Red Wing, MN with haunted tours, trunk-or-treats, and spooky events. Explore the town’s mysterious past with American Ghost Walks.
By Paul Reyes October 15, 2025
Halloween in Lahaina is unlike any other celebration in Hawaii. Once described as the “Mardi Gras of the Pacific,” Lahaina’s Halloween has been a tradition since the late 1980s, drawing thousands of locals and visitors alike. Whether you are looking for family-friendly fun, lively nightlife, or a glimpse into Maui’s spooky history, Lahaina offers it all.  In 2025, the spirit of Halloween is stronger than ever as the community rebuilds and reopens after the devastating wildfires of 2023. This year’s festivities carry a special meaning by celebrating resilience, culture, and the joy of gathering together on Maui’s most famous street.
October 15, 2025
Celebrate Halloween 2025 in Wiscasset, Maine with parades, trunk-or-treats, and haunted history. Discover spooky stories with American Ghost Walks.
October 15, 2025
Join these Halloween 2025 events in Kennebunkport, from trick-or-treating on Summer Street to spooky Ghost Tours by American Ghost Walks along Maine’s coast.
Thalia Hall in Chicago
By Mike Huberty October 14, 2025
Discover Thalia Hall’s spirits: historic theater lore, staff sightings, and a hands-on ghost hunt Oct 26 at 6 PM. Limited spots.
Halloween in Hilo
October 14, 2025
Celebrate Halloween in Hilo with family events, parties, and haunted fun. Discover Hawaiian legends on Ghost Tours in Hilo with American Ghost Walks.
By Paul Reyes October 14, 2025
Discover why New Orleans is one of the best places to celebrate Halloween in 2025. Explore haunted mansions, voodoo legends, and ghost through walking tours.
By Paul Reyes October 14, 2025
Discover the best Halloween events in Chicago 2025 including parades, haunted houses, pumpkin patches, and nightlife. Join American Ghost Walks for in Chicago!