Problem: Soma and psychedelics: Bearing in mind the role that soma plays in the World State, and John's (which is to say Huxley's) critique of it as toxic, consider Huxley's later advocacy of psychedelic drugs (as recounted in Stevens, "Intuition and Intellect"). Do you see a coherent intellectual progression on Huxley's part as he moves from condemning soma to advocating therapy with mescaline? If so, explain the logic of Huxley's journey. If not, explain the error of Huxley's ways. If you think we find a blend of good and bad ideas in Huxley's career of writing and promoting psychedelic drugs, then explain that. Factor into your discussion the findings summarized in this 2012 article from Scientific American -- "Do Psychedelics Expand the Mind by Reducing Brain Activity?"
Read Article: Do Psychedelics Expand the Mind by Reducing Brain Activity? By Adam Halberstadt, Mark Geyer on May 15, 2012