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Albion Dreaming?
The history of LSD often focuses on the American cultural experience. This history is well documented in books such as Jay Stevens' Storming Heaven and Martin Lee's Acid Dreams. Britain's part in the drug's history is barely touched upon and it's as though Britain played little part in what might be termed the psychedelic revolution of the past 65 years or so.
To redress this situation I began to research the British personal, cultural and social experience of LSD, and discovered a many layered hidden history which I condensed into the book Albion Dreaming (Marshall Cavendish, 2008, 2012).
My research continues and the book has subsequently been published in paperback with a Foreword by Dr Sue Blackmore (Marshall Cavendish, 2012). The Albion Dreaming website exists to contribute to the growing psychedelic renaissance in Britain, to publish the results of my on-going research into LSD and other psychedelics and to act as an information resource for those interested in LSD. I intend to update the site regularly with new pieces of information, articles or news stories. Please feel free to contribute via the Forums, Guest Book, or emailing via the Contact Form.
The Philosophical Stuff
There are many beliefs about LSD and other psychedelics. My belief is that we live in a natural psychedelic state of mind, fundamentally one of permenant awe and wonder at the "sheer unspeakable strangeness of being here at all" (as Robin Williamson eloquently put it). This state of mind isn't always apparent or available to us but history shows that it is a fundamental human drive to seek it out.
This altered states of consciousness (ASC) has many names and has traditionally been accessed through combinations of religious, spiritual or physical practices as well as the ingestion of various organic or synthetic psychedelic drugs. Unfortunately many of these routes to ASCs have fallen foul of dogma, hierarchy and authority and have become impotent.
Psychedelic drugs represent one of the few unmediated paths to ASC's and as such have been highly controlled and regulated by most governments, with possession being punishable by severe legal penalities. The cynical observer might conclude that the Establishment, (and by that term I mean the powers who govern and control us, as defined by journalist Henry Fairlie):
"I do not only mean the centres of official power-though they are certainly part of it-but the whole matrix of official and social relations within which power is exercised. The exercise of power in Britain cannot be understood unless it is recognised that it is exercised socially."
are deciding what substances you or I can take to alter our consciousness in accordance with our will, harming no one in the process. How this can be a 'crime' boggles the imagination and casts doubts on any 'freedoms' you think you might have. Whether or not you use psychedelic drugs for spirtiual transformation or good 'ol cosmic fun, the choice should be yours and no one else's.
This site supports cognitive liberty in all its forms
The Copyright Stuff
There are numerous photographs, newspaper cippings, articles and quotes on this web site. Where the material is not the site owner's copyright the source and copyright holder is given if known. If you feel your copyright has been violated in any way please contact the site owner and the item will be removed.
The Legal Stuff
The site owner supports the right of the individual to alter their consciousness at will, by the method of their choosing. However, lsdbritain.com does not advocate breaking the law, that choice must be one of personal conscience. Please do not attempt to engage the site owner in discussion about the procurement of LSD or any other psychedelic drug.