Psychoactive Substances. Betsy Gordon Psychoactive Substances Research Collection

Collecting Area

Identifier: Psychoactive Substances

Staff Only

This collecting area documents the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, and is particularly relevant given the re-emergence of psychedelic research that is happening today. The materials in this area document how psychedelic research in the United States was carried out and facilitated (particularly from the 1950s to the 1970s), how doctors administered these substances, how patients responded to these treatments, how policy and culture affected the research, and how this area of study has been slowly emerging as a valid form of inquiry and a several-decades long period of dormancy. Highlights include the papers of Charles Savage, William Richards, and Stanislav Grof, psychiatrists who were involved in major psychedelics research studies at the Spring Grove State Hospital in the 1960s; the papers of David Nichols, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Medicinal Chemistry who taught at Purdue from 1974 until 2012 and is internationally recognized for his work on psychedelics and MDMA as well as for playing a key role in the psychedelic renaissance; and other smaller collections which document various aspects of psychedelic research spanning a variety of disciplines. The collecting area is complemented by a large collection of rare and unique books.

Found in 55 Collections and/or Records:

Charles Savage papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSP 70

Scope and Contents The Charles Savage papers document Savage’s work as a psychiatrist, specifically his research on the therapeutic use of LSD-25 and marijuana during the 1960s. Materials range from correspondence between Savage and his colleagues and Savage and his patients, article reprints written by Savage or used by Savage for his research, as well as Savage’s manuscripts and miscellaneous manuscripts, some of which appear to have been created by patients. Patient notes, accounts and transcripts of LSD...

Dates: 1936 - 2003; Majority of material found within 1960 - 1970

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Thomas B. Roberts papers

Collection — Box 1

Identifier: MSP 71

Scope and Contents

The Thomas B. Roberts papers documents his research in psychoactive substances through articles, clippings, correspondence, conference materials, and a course syllabus.

Dates: 1967-2006

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Sanford Unger papers

Collection — Box 1

Identifier: MSP 69

Scope and Contents

The Sanford Unger papers (1961-1974; 0.2 cubic feet) contains writings exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances. The collection also contains the correspondence between Aldous and Laura Huxley and Sanford Unger, and an excerpt from the 1966 CBS Reports feature, “LSD The Spring Grove Experiment.”

Dates: 1961 - 1974

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

George Greer papers

Collection — Box 1

Identifier: MSP 66

Scope and Contents

The George Greer papers documents his research on MDMA. The collection contains a questionnaire, article, notes, graphs, and several case reports on his research subjects. The case studies are transcriptions from handwritten notes on the 29 subjects who are mentioned in Greer’s published papers. According to Greer, there are approximately 50 handwritten reports on other subjects still in his possession, which may be donated in the future.

Dates: 1980-1986

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Jan Irvin manuscript

Collection — Box 1

Identifier: MSP 65

Scope and Contents

The Jan Irvin manuscript contains the article "Wasson and Allegro on the Tree of Knowledge as Amanita" by Michael Hoffman and Jan Irvin.

Dates: 2006

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Milan Hausner booklet

Collection — Box 1

Identifier: MSP 76

Scope and Contents

The Milan Hausner collection contains a photocopy of his self-published booklet on LSD therapy in Czechoslovakia entitled "Psyche In Statu Nascendi, LSD Behind the Iron Curtain, Czechoslovakia, 1954-1974".

Dates: 1992

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Darrell Lemaire papers

Collection — Box 1

Identifier: MSP 64

Scope and Contents

The Darrell Lemaire papers contains two documents pertaining to the creation of novel psychedelic substances.

Dates: 1986 - 1990; Other: Date acquired: 2009-03-12

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Jean Millay papers

Collection — Box 1

Identifier: MSP 63

Scope and Contents

The Jean Millay papers (1964-2001; 0.2 cubic feet) contains a DVD of the 2001 film The Psychedelic Experience by Millay and Allen Willis and an article by Millay. The collection also documents Millay's friendship with Timothy Leary and contains photocopies of pictures, correspondence, and an article on Leary.

Dates: 1964-2001; Other: Majority of material found in 1964-1980; Other: Date acquired: 03/12/2009

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

William Richards collection on Walter Pahnke

Collection — Box 1

Identifier: MSP 68

Scope and Contents

The William Richards Collection on Walter Pahnke (1952-1972; 0.2 cubic feet) contains materials collected and donated by William Richards that document the life and work of his close colleague, Walter Pahnke. It includes some of Pahnke's important academic writings, copies of personal manuscripts, some biographical information, writings by his wife (Eva Sontum Pahnke), and materials memorializing his untimely passing.

Dates: 1950 - 2009; Majority of material found within 1964 - 1971

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Psychoactive Substances Research Collection clippings

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSP 61

Scope and Contents

The Psychoactive Substances Research Collection clipping files contain clippings and print-outs of online postings of relevance to psychoactive substances, psychoactive substances research, and those involved in this field of study.

Dates: circa 1976 - 2017

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Maryland Psychiatric Research Center LSD Professional Training Program Study files

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSP 170

Scope and Contents The Maryland Psychiatric Research Center LSD Professional Training Program Study files (1970 – 1974) are composed of the scientific records of the study, organized by subject identification number. Each file contains some combination of psychological profile reports, personal narratives of the LSD session experience, follow-up survey results about how the sessions affected the subject’s life, and written narratives reflecting on the experience as a whole. The files are identified only by...

Dates: 1970 - 1974

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Psychoactive Recordings collection

Collection — Box 1: Series MSP 332, Series 1; Series MSP 332, Series 2; Series MSP 332, Series 3; Series MSP 332, Series 4; Series MSP 332, Series 5

Identifier: MSP 332

Scope and Contents

Various electronic media related to psychoactive research. Includes conference recordings, television programs, talks and lectures, films, and interviews related to Stanislav Grof, Terence McKenna, Ralph Metzner, and other topics/individuals associated within the psychoactive field.

Dates: 1988 - 2014

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Jessica Gaynor "Altered States of Consciousness" course symposium recordings

Collection — Box 1

Identifier: MSS 4

Content Description

This collection includes recordings of a symposium organized by Jessica Gaynor, who taught a class on altered states of consciousness as a graduate student at the University of Houston. Leading figures in the field attended and it was fully supported by the university. Speakers included Andrew Weil, Ram Dass, Raja Rao, Charles Tart, Sam Keen, and John Lilly.

Dates: Majority of material found in circa 1974

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections