Hygieia's Workshop

Psychiatry

When Mental Health Care Becomes Control

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on September 9, 2024

Recent news stories about mental health facilities and involuntary hospitalization echo debates from the past and require historical contextualization.

Recent news stories about mental health facilities and involuntary hospitalization echo debates from the past and require historical contextualization.

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

The Basics of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Retreats

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on April 5, 2022

What do you know about psychedelic therapy and retreats? There's a lot to understand.

What do you know about psychedelic therapy and retreats? There's a lot to understand.

A major challenge for psychedelic science and medicine is the ownership of patents for treatments. Better information could contribute to a clearer future.

Psychosis

Assumptions About Cannabis and Mental Illness in the Afro-Caribbean Community

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on July 7, 2021

Was the disproportionate diagnosis of "cannabis psychosis" among Britain’s Afro-Caribbean communities an example of the “everyday logic of racism"?

Was the disproportionate diagnosis of "cannabis psychosis" among Britain’s Afro-Caribbean communities an example of the “everyday logic of racism"?

Addiction

What Role Do Pharmacies Play in Addiction?

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on April 19, 2021

What lessons can we learn about psychoactivity and addiction? What does the long history of pharmacies tell us about this relationship?

What lessons can we learn about psychoactivity and addiction? What does the long history of pharmacies tell us about this relationship?

Health

What Is the Future of Psychedelic Treatments?

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on March 12, 2021

Hopes and concerns from the front lines of psychedelic research.

Hopes and concerns from the front lines of psychedelic research.

Depression

Depression: Past and Present

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on January 12, 2021

What is the history of depression? Author and historian Jonathan Sadowsky shares ideas from his new book, "The Empire of Depression."

What is the history of depression? Author and historian Jonathan Sadowsky shares ideas from his new book, "The Empire of Depression."

Fear

Rethinking Bad Trips

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on September 29, 2020

How do researchers in the Psychedelic Renaissance account for the negative experiences? Historical perspectives can add perspective.

How do researchers in the Psychedelic Renaissance account for the negative experiences? Historical perspectives can add perspective.

Health

Universal Basic Income and Mental Health

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on September 15, 2020

How should we address poverty and mental illness? Universal Basic Income could be one solution.

How should we address poverty and mental illness? Universal Basic Income could be one solution.

Health

Psychedelic Women and Science: A History of Exclusion

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on July 23, 2020

Why have women not featured in the stories about psychedelic research and science? And what does the future hold?

Why have women not featured in the stories about psychedelic research and science? And what does the future hold?

Bias

Racism and Radical Psychiatry

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on July 20, 2020

Racial justice was built into radical psychiatry from the beginning. This history may hold lessons for the present.

Racial justice was built into radical psychiatry from the beginning. This history may hold lessons for the present.

Trauma

Of War, Collective Trauma, and the Coronavirus Crisis

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on April 20, 2020

The Vietnam War proved instrumental in sparking a new level of awareness regarding mental health in times of crises. What might it teach us about our own?

The Vietnam War proved instrumental in sparking a new level of awareness regarding mental health in times of crises. What might it teach us about our own?

Psychiatry

How Radical Women Changed Psychiatry in the 1970s

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on March 12, 2020

It's important to remember that feminists and radicals in mental medicine pushed for change, just as members of the #MeToo movement are today.

It's important to remember that feminists and radicals in mental medicine pushed for change, just as members of the #MeToo movement are today.

Psychiatry

The History of Psychedelic Therapy: What Can We Learn?

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on March 3, 2020

Are we in the midst of a new psychedelic era? If so, what can we learn about the present moment through the history of psychedelic experiments in the past?

Are we in the midst of a new psychedelic era? If so, what can we learn about the present moment through the history of psychedelic experiments in the past?

Psychology

Let's Get Primal

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on February 27, 2020

In 2020, is it time to get primal? Thinking about the origins of Primal Therapy might help in a busy world.

In 2020, is it time to get primal? Thinking about the origins of Primal Therapy might help in a busy world.

Health

Psychedelic Archives: An Interview with Stephanie Schmitz

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on February 21, 2020

How do you research and understand the psychedelic renaissance? Talk to a librarian and archivist!

How do you research and understand the psychedelic renaissance? Talk to a librarian and archivist!

Health

Valium, Rogue Patients, and Mental Health

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on December 10, 2019

In the absence of appropriate treatments, patients have a long history of seeking out drugs and other cures themselves.

In the absence of appropriate treatments, patients have a long history of seeking out drugs and other cures themselves.

Parapsychology

Parapsychology in Perspective

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on October 30, 2019

Ever wondered about the beginnings of parapsychological research? Of research into ghosts? Or levitation? Here's the story.

Ever wondered about the beginnings of parapsychological research? Of research into ghosts? Or levitation? Here's the story.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD, Peacekeeping, and Politics: Some Lessons from Canada

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on October 25, 2019

What can recent history tell us about trauma and PTSD?

What can recent history tell us about trauma and PTSD?

Health

Run for Your Life

Lucas Richert Ph.D. on October 22, 2019

Do you pound the pavement? For the body or mind? Likely both.

Do you pound the pavement? For the body or mind? Likely both.