Drugs and Mysticism

This dissertation, submitted to the Committee on Higher Degrees in History and Philosophy of Religion at Harvard University in June 1963, presents an empirical investigation into the relationship between psychedelic drugs and mystical experience. Walter Pahnke designed and conducted a controlled, double-blind experiment on Good Friday 1962, administering psilocybin to divinity students during a religious service to test whether the drug could occasion genuine mystical experiences as measured against a carefully defined typology drawn from the classic literature of mysticism.

Download the original 1963 thesis (PDF)

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to express his deep gratitude for the support and encouragement of many members of the academic community who made this study possible in a troubled but promising area of research. Particular appreciation is extended to Dr. Hans Hofmann, who was a continuing source of counsel and inspiration, and to Dr. Timothy Leary, who assisted with the execution of the experiment. Through the guidance of the thesis committee, the author’s perspectives have been clarified and deepened. Mr. Peter H. John contributed much time and tireless effort toward the mechanics of the manuscript. Finally, the author desires sincerely to thank all the persons who volunteered to participate in this investigation as experimental subjects or group leaders.

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