Timothy Leary–1960s Acid Guru–May Have Been Among the CIA's Greatest Assets

6 hours ago

Timothy Leary promoted LSD to youth, encouraging them to 'turn on, tune in, drop out', which diverted energy from political activism.
Leary admitted to being a witting CIA agent, with 80% of his decisions suggested by CIA personnel.
His research on personality and psychedelics was tied to CIA projects like MK-ULTRA, aiming to manipulate behavior and control consciousness.
Funding for Leary's work came from CIA-linked sources like the Human Ecology Fund and wealthy figures such as William Mellon Hitchcock.
The psychedelic movement, amplified by media and figures like Allen Ginsberg, shifted youth focus from anti-war protests to drug use and spiritual pursuits.
Leary's actions contributed to the depoliticization of the New Left, leading to the decline of groups like Students for a Democratic Society (SDS).
He later became an informant for the FBI, renounced LSD advocacy, and aligned with conservative figures, undermining his earlier radical image.

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