A Conspiracy Thread: MK-Ultra and LSD

MK-Uktra was the code name given to a series of illegal mind control experiments carried out by the CIA during the 1960s. The techniques used included hypnosis, isolation, electroshock, abuse, torture, and even secretly dosing people with LSD.

LSD was given to mental patients, prisoners, drug addicts, sex workers, and even military officers and other government agents. The purpose was to study their reactions and see if they could wipe a person’s mind clean to then reprogram them like a robot.

These experiments turned out to be quite dangerous. Some people went insane. Wayne Ritchie, a U.S. marshal, had his drink of bourbon and soda dosed. He had a bad trip that ended with him holding up a bar at gunpoint. He has since tried to sue the government.

Some people had it much worse. One CIA officer committed suicide after being dosed. Frank Olson witnessed many experiments which utilized torture and abuse, and some believe a bad trip is what finally broke him. However, others believe he was murdered for knowing too much.

But the experiments backfired in more ways than one. While the CIA was attempting to make people go insane, some were finding clarity. Ken Kesey naively volunteered to try the new substance in a paid study and ironically came to believe LSD could be used to liberate one’s mind.

Kesey’s experiences became the basis for his novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and he went on to become a famous writer for it. In rejection of normal society, he began traveling across America in a school bus throwing parties. This helped launch the hippie movement.

Timothy Leary was another man who believed LSD could free the mind. Leary was a psychologist at Harvard, and much like the CIA, he theorized the drug could be used to turn a person’s mind into a blank slate. However, it could be reprogrammed for a healthier, happier life.

Leary and his associate Richard Alpert, later known as Ram Dass, performed experiments using psychedelics at the university. Results were mostly positive if the drugs were used correctly. However, the political climate was becoming more intense, and they were soon both fired.

The two psychologists moved their experiments to a 64 room mansion in Millbrook, New York where they held meditation retreats and yoga classes. The estate became a hot spot for famous artists and musicians. However, Leary’s fight with the establishment was far from over.

In 1970, Leary was sentenced to 20 years in prison for possession of marijuana. Before being locked up, he was given a psychological test to determine his living arrangements. Having designed some of the tests himself, he was able to get into a low security prison, and escaped.

Leary then went on to travel the world as a fugitive and was eventually caught and imprisoned again. At one point, Nixon called him the most dangerous man in America. Upon his release he continued to preach the use of psychedelics and made a living as a sand up philosopher.

Ironically, while Leary was imprisoned the second time around, he was kept in a solitary confinement cell next to Charles Manson. They could not see each other but they could talk through the walls. Manson could not believe Leary was using LSD without trying to “control” people.

Manson was a madman with an apocalyptic vision. He convinced his followers to murder innocent people. But some say he was a product of MK-Ultra and was used to discredit people like Leary. He even told Tim “They took you off the streets so that I could continue with your work.”

Conspiracy theorists claim Manson was experimented on in Folsom Prison and taught how to manipulate others before his release. Why was he was released in the first place? Why were there were so many people with ties to the CIA in his circle? And where did he get all his LSD?

Syd Barrett, original songwriter for Pink Floyd, was also experimenting with LSD around this time. Syd too, seemed to be more prone to madness. His band mates said after disappearing for a weekend his personality completely changed. He became like a zombie.

Having lived at the notorious 101 Cromwell Road, some speculate Syd was a product of MK-Ultra. The movie The Wall seems to suggest this, but others say he just overdid it. He was ousted from the band and lived the rest of his days like a hermit painting and tending to his garden.

The CIA eventually stopped experimenting with LSD due to its unpredictable results. They claim the MK-Ultra program was officially halted in 1973. However, some say they achieved their goal in learning how to reprogram people’s minds and continue to till this day.

Many current day musicians are said to be subjects of MK-Ultra, hence their wild public meltdowns, split personalities, and flashing of Illuminati symbolism. Beyoncé often talks about her alter ego Sasha Fierce and Nicki Minaj often references Roman.

Another public figure who has been the subject of speculation among conspiracy theorists is Kanye West. Some say he is fighting the mind control and this is why he was hospitalized after his mental breakdown during the Saint Pablo tour. Is this why Kanye turned to God?

Remember how he was saying “Google lied to you. Facebook lied to you. Radio lied to you.” Probably makes more sense now. Just listen to the lyrics in Escape from LA by The Weekend or Hollywood’s Bleeding by Post Malone. Kanye’s not the only one trying to talk about being used.

Some conspiracy theorists claim MK-Ultra is also being used to create mind controlled super soldiers. Ideas like this are hinted at in movies like American Ultra and The Manchurian Candidate. In both movies, the main characters are not even aware they have been programmed.

Is it possible MK-Ultra is now being used on a larger scale? Scientists claim electromagnetic signals from cell phones can be used to change your brainwaves and behavior. They even say it’s possible to listen to someone’s brain. Would they use this technology for that purpose?

But don’t get too paranoid, I truly believe the human spirit is greater than anything that can happen to it, and the stronger your mind is, the more resilient you become to the world. And if you’re still scared, I don’t feel bad cause y’all literally asked for this thread.

Anyways, would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks for reading.