RETIRED PROFESSOR LEADS DISCUSSION ON PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS

The Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) held a discussion group
Wednesday in the Holmes Student Center about the difference between
psychedelic and psychoactive medicine and their uses.

Tom Roberts, a retired professor of education of psychology, led a
small group of people on a question-and-answer-based discussion on the
medical uses, different types and the foundation of psychedelic drugs.
This is a four-week program for the winter term.

"A psychedelic drug magnifies or amplifies whatever is going on in the
subconscience or conscience mind," Roberts said. "It can also
stimulate mystical experiences."

Roberts continued to discuss the common types of psychedelic drugs,
which are lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin from sacred
mushrooms, mescaline from peyote cactus and ayahuasca from two Amazon
plants.

The drug ayahuasca is commonly used in religious ceremonies and for
sacred use in churches, Roberts said. Roberts provided his own
experience with psychedelic drugs as he lectured about his dreams.
Roberts said in the middle of the night he often wakes and writes down
what he remembers of his dreams. He said he also remembers his
childhood nightmares.

Roberts said people who take these drugs can remember their
experiences, such as the birth experience which he remembered in a
dream. "I felt I was being pushed through some plumbing," he said. "I
remember the dream and how frightening it was."

The discussion closed with a video of a woman facing the anxiety of
death from a terminal disease and the use of psychedelic drugs to
prepare her for death. Roberts said these drugs can drop a person's
fear of dying.

Heinz Osterle, a retired professor of literature and culture, said he
attended the discussion because he is a friend of Roberts, and he
wanted to help his wife with her alcohol addiction. He also added his
own personal experiences with these drugs to the group. "I have
experience with mystical experiences," Osterle said. "It's like going
through heaven and hell."

The LLI hosts programs for retired professors and people in the area
who still want to learn. Roberts said the group of people are
professors who come together to share different ideas of knowledge.