In this episode, we dive into one of the most infamous covert programs in U.S. history: MK-Ultra. Born in the shadows of the Cold War, this CIA-led operation explored the use of LSD to control people’s minds— “whether they were willing or not.” We explore the origins of the program, the disturbing experiments conducted on unwitting subjects, and the long-lasting impact on the American psychedelic landscape. Plus, we look at some of the notable figures—both famous and forgotten—who were caught in MK-Ultra’s web.

Sources: 

United States Senate: Report on CIA MKULTRA Behavioral Modification Program

National Public Radio: The CIA’s Secret Quest for Mind Control: Torture, LSD, and a ‘Poisoner in Chief’

Central Intelligence Agency: Project MK-ULTRA

CBC News: ‘She went away, hoping to get better’