Exploring the Impact of LSD

This summer I gave the keynote address at the Open Foundation’s Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research (ICPR), where I explored the connection between acid and the counterculture.

From the Open Foundation’s channel:

“In his 2024 talk at the Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research (ICPR), Erik Davis, PhD takes us through a historical and explorative journey of the psychedelic underground and its convergence with the mainstream. The talk, called “Between God and Crime: The Legacy of the Underground” takes a modern perspective on acid’s impact on the West’s conception of sanctity. The talk touches on acid blotters as a vehicle for reflecting counterculture’s leaning on humour as an integral part of the psychedelic experience.

“Key themes include “the sacred” in psychedelic and popular culture understanding, humour in the sacred sphere and the role or functionality of blotter art. Further, he touches on the intersection with acid and criminality, and finishes with a reflection on the role of risk.”