“EVERY HUMAN IS PSYCHEDELIC” AN ANALYSIS OF CONTEMPORARY PSYCHEDELIC DRUG USE AND SUBCULTURE

The 21st Century is seeing an unprecedented wave of psychedelic drug research after decades of stagnancy. Despite this revival, there has been little research or interest in the current revival of psychedelic subculture or the attitudes of psychedelic users today—from here referred to as “psychedelia.” This qualitative study of 19 self-described psychedelic users/psychedelia members probes their intimate experiences with psychedelic drugs, their involvement in the broader subculture, and their political and social beliefs. By analyzing the subculture through post-subcultural theory, this study examines the state of psychedelic subculture today, its participants, and members beliefs in relation to drugs, politics, and society. Findings show psychedelia exists as a loose subculture, yet has several parallels to the hippies demographically and politically. Second, psychedelia members share several values such as openness, compassion, and caring for others. Third, despite their pessimism towards America’s future, interviewees engage in everyday activism to help disenfranchised groups.