Back Page: A “Trip” Through Time
The changing perceptions of psychedelics
By Jonathan Sposato August 29, 2025
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2025 issue of Seattle magazine.
In 1967, psychedelics were vilified and effectively banned during the height of the counterculture movement. Daytrippers and hippies embraced LSD and psilocybin for consciousness expansion, spiritual exploration, or just pure escape.
Nowadays, we find substances such as LSD, psilocybin and MDMA being seriously studied in clinical settings and reevaluated as powerful therapeutic tools. Microdosing has even emerged amongst the “suburban soccer mom” set as a promising practice for enhancing mental health, creativity, and productivity without dangerous hallucinogenic effects.
Studies at Johns Hopkins University and Stanford University have shown that microdosing can indeed alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and even chronic pain. Subjects further reported enhanced cognitive function and a greater “sense of presence.” And still recent studies suggest they can even promote neuroplasticity and mental flexibility, supporting long-term mental wellness with fewer side effects than conventional antidepressants.
Now decriminalized in cities like Seattle, what was once taboo is now on the cusp of mainstream integration into wellness and mental health regiments. In 2025, this same cover would likely not be of a daytripper, but your neighbor.
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