In the first half of the 1950s, Henry Beecher of Harvard Medical School oversaw a series of experiments, sponsored by the U.S. Army Research Council, that were designed to test “truth sera” using various drugs, including LSD. The drugs were tested on volunteers, some of them Harvard students. Now Beecher professor of anesthesia James Rathmell is preparing an historical article on Beecher and his research. If you—or anyone you know—volunteered for Beecher’s experiments, Rathmell would like to hear from you: rathmell.james@mgh.harvard.edu. Confidentiality will be assured for those who wish it.
Research Query: LSD Testing in the 1950s
A researcher hopes to contact volunteer participants in “truth sera” experiments.
You might also like
A Harvard President’s VW Beetle That Kept On Giving
Derek Bok donated his car for a good cause.
Cambridge Once Fought Harvard’s DNA Research. Now There’s a Play About It.
A theatrical reenactment explores a 1976 clash between science and democracy.
Which Harvard Architecture Stands the Test of Time?
In a sea of red brick, the Science Center and Peabody Terrace make their mark.
Most popular
Explore More From Current Issue
In 2004, a frenzy spread across Harvard Yard in days. Four billion users later, we are only just catching up.
Tell us about how social media impacts your daily life.
The stakes are high for this husband and wife: one of them will die if they don’t find a cure.