I’m going to copy/paste today’s presentation onto the channel. I will silence notifications while I do this so as not to bother you all.
I will “un-silence” the channel when I’m done.
I will “un-silence” the channel when I’m done.
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In the presentations from last week, we discussed the medical experiments that were done on Americans. The experiments…and their beginnings… all had ties back to the scientists who were brought over by the Rockefellers and the OSS (now called the C-I-A) in Operation Paperclip.
Today we are going to discuss how and where MK Ultra started...and how it ended (so they say).
This week we will discuss other “mind experiments”. We will end the week discussing COINTELPRO…which will be a great segue to next week’s presentation on Nixon.
Today we are going to discuss how and where MK Ultra started...and how it ended (so they say).
This week we will discuss other “mind experiments”. We will end the week discussing COINTELPRO…which will be a great segue to next week’s presentation on Nixon.
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What is MK-Ultra?
“MK-Ultra” is the name of a highly classified project started by the C-I-A.
The project began in 1953 when American government officials were concerned that their opponents in the Cold War were (reportedly) using psychedelic drugs to gain mind control over prisoners of war.
The project lasted from 1953 to about 1973, when details of the experiments were leaked to officials throughout the C-I-A and other branches of the government.
By 1975, a full investigation was underway on the project, its history, and its leaders.
“MK-Ultra” is the name of a highly classified project started by the C-I-A.
The project began in 1953 when American government officials were concerned that their opponents in the Cold War were (reportedly) using psychedelic drugs to gain mind control over prisoners of war.
The project lasted from 1953 to about 1973, when details of the experiments were leaked to officials throughout the C-I-A and other branches of the government.
By 1975, a full investigation was underway on the project, its history, and its leaders.
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How Did MK-Ultra Start?
MK-Ultra was started in an effort to master mind control during the Cold War.
Researchers at the time believed they could use psychedelics and extreme torture methods to destroy a person’s ego. Once the ego was dissolved, repeated messages, ideas, and mantras could be fed to the subject to build a new ego with a decided purpose.
Sidney Gottlieb is often regarded as the father of MK-Ultra. He was the researcher and chemist in charge of the experiments and is credited with bringing LSD to America.
MK-Ultra was started in an effort to master mind control during the Cold War.
Researchers at the time believed they could use psychedelics and extreme torture methods to destroy a person’s ego. Once the ego was dissolved, repeated messages, ideas, and mantras could be fed to the subject to build a new ego with a decided purpose.
Sidney Gottlieb is often regarded as the father of MK-Ultra. He was the researcher and chemist in charge of the experiments and is credited with bringing LSD to America.
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What Psychedelics Were Used in MK-Ultra?
With the direction of Sidney Gottlieb, countless experiments took place under MK-Ultra that included lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).
Other drugs used for experimentation included psilocybin and psilocin (“magic mushrooms”), mescaline, barbiturates, amphetamines, heroin, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, also known as ecstasy).
In addition to psychedelics, researchers working under MK-Ultra also used torture methods, electroshock “therapy,” and psychological manipulation.
With the direction of Sidney Gottlieb, countless experiments took place under MK-Ultra that included lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).
Other drugs used for experimentation included psilocybin and psilocin (“magic mushrooms”), mescaline, barbiturates, amphetamines, heroin, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, also known as ecstasy).
In addition to psychedelics, researchers working under MK-Ultra also used torture methods, electroshock “therapy,” and psychological manipulation.
The History of MK-Ultra Experiments
MK-Ultra experiments persisted for about 20 years, from 1953 through 1973. Many test subjects didn’t know they were being tested and were secretly administered psychedelics or exposed to psychological torture unwillingly.
Next are some of the more famous experiments carried out by MK-Ultra .
MK-Ultra experiments persisted for about 20 years, from 1953 through 1973. Many test subjects didn’t know they were being tested and were secretly administered psychedelics or exposed to psychological torture unwillingly.
Next are some of the more famous experiments carried out by MK-Ultra .
1. Early Experimentation
Much of the early MK-Ultra experimentation consisted of dosing subjects with LSD and either watching how they reacted, or attempting to put ideas or mantras in their minds as a preliminary form of mind control.
The researchers went on to more intense forms of testing and torture after deciding that LSD was too unpredictable and unreliable.
LSD Coming to America...
Around 1953, Sidney Gottlieb set out to buy the entire world’s supply of LSD for experimentation. He reportedly financed his purchases with nearly a quarter-million dollars of government funds from the C-I-A, and proceeded to purchase LSD from any source he could find.
Once procured, Gottlieb began distributing it in many different settings to see its effects in various doses. His earliest experiments included dosing college students and inmates with LSD to see how they were affected.
Much of the early MK-Ultra experimentation consisted of dosing subjects with LSD and either watching how they reacted, or attempting to put ideas or mantras in their minds as a preliminary form of mind control.
The researchers went on to more intense forms of testing and torture after deciding that LSD was too unpredictable and unreliable.
LSD Coming to America...
Around 1953, Sidney Gottlieb set out to buy the entire world’s supply of LSD for experimentation. He reportedly financed his purchases with nearly a quarter-million dollars of government funds from the C-I-A, and proceeded to purchase LSD from any source he could find.
Once procured, Gottlieb began distributing it in many different settings to see its effects in various doses. His earliest experiments included dosing college students and inmates with LSD to see how they were affected.
Unsuspecting Test Subjects
Perhaps one of the most disturbing facts about MK-Ultra is that many of the experiments were carried out with test subjects who didn’t know what they were taking.
The effects of LSD — especially any long-term effects — were largely unknown at the time, but the lack of research didn’t stop Gottlieb from giving the drug to anyone he could.
Famously, Ken Kesey — author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest — accepted LSD indirectly from Gottlieb, and began carrying out tests of his own. His experiments, which he called “acid tests”, involved offering LSD to fellow college students at parties to see how it changed their perception and mood.
Perhaps one of the most disturbing facts about MK-Ultra is that many of the experiments were carried out with test subjects who didn’t know what they were taking.
The effects of LSD — especially any long-term effects — were largely unknown at the time, but the lack of research didn’t stop Gottlieb from giving the drug to anyone he could.
Famously, Ken Kesey — author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest — accepted LSD indirectly from Gottlieb, and began carrying out tests of his own. His experiments, which he called “acid tests”, involved offering LSD to fellow college students at parties to see how it changed their perception and mood.
Gottlieb had many ways of procuring new human test subjects for his experiments throughout MK-Ultra’s existence.
One of his earlier methods was using patients of mental institutions, and hospitals for people with drug addictions.
Early on, he used patients at the Addiction Research Center in Kentucky who were already addicted to drugs. Many of them were unaware that these experiments were taking place.
One of his earlier methods was using patients of mental institutions, and hospitals for people with drug addictions.
Early on, he used patients at the Addiction Research Center in Kentucky who were already addicted to drugs. Many of them were unaware that these experiments were taking place.
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Whitney Bulger’s Treatment
Whitney Bulger was the leader of the Winter Hill Gang in Massachusetts.
After Bulger was arrested, he agreed to become a test subject in the MK-Ultra program to have his sentence reduced.
He was told the drug was used for treating schizophrenia. He was dosed with LSD more than 50 times…according to his own reports.
Whitney Bulger was the leader of the Winter Hill Gang in Massachusetts.
After Bulger was arrested, he agreed to become a test subject in the MK-Ultra program to have his sentence reduced.
He was told the drug was used for treating schizophrenia. He was dosed with LSD more than 50 times…according to his own reports.
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Whitney Bulger
Bulger was eventually released from prison but returned…for numerous counts of murder…following his “treatment”. He recalled in letters from jail that the doctor —who administered his dose of LSD and monitored his reaction—would repeatedly ask him leading questions, including if he would ever consider killing anyone.
Bulger was eventually released from prison but returned…for numerous counts of murder…following his “treatment”. He recalled in letters from jail that the doctor —who administered his dose of LSD and monitored his reaction—would repeatedly ask him leading questions, including if he would ever consider killing anyone.
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Collaboration With German Nazis & Japanese Torture Specialists
What many Americans don’t know is that during World War II the CIA (OSS at the time) called on torture specialists who worked within the concentration camps in Europe. These specialists helped them to carry out the experiments for MK-Ultra.
Gottlieb and his team of researchers not only mimicked many of the experiments that took place in the concentration camps of WWII, but they also hired so-called “experts” in torture and human experimentation as consultants for MK-Ultra tests.
What many Americans don’t know is that during World War II the CIA (OSS at the time) called on torture specialists who worked within the concentration camps in Europe. These specialists helped them to carry out the experiments for MK-Ultra.
Gottlieb and his team of researchers not only mimicked many of the experiments that took place in the concentration camps of WWII, but they also hired so-called “experts” in torture and human experimentation as consultants for MK-Ultra tests.
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2. International Experimentation
Some of the more grotesque and shocking MK-Ultra experiments took place outside of America…mainly in Canada and Western Europe.
Gottlieb is noted to have carried out extensive experimentation in Europe. It was reported that Gottlieb and his team of researchers sought out criminals…both convicted and soon-to-be-convicted…and got them to agree to the testing in exchange for reduced sentences. In some cases, they proceeded with testing, even if the subjects refused.
His tests included offering them high doses of psychedelic drugs, depriving them of sleep for days at a time, using electroshock stimulation repeatedly to try to break down their sense of self, and a variety of other torture methods.
Neither the tests in America nor the ones that took place outside the country were ever scrutinized by other parties in the C-I-A. Gottlieb carried out his experiments without limitations, restrictions, or reprimand for many years.
Some of the more grotesque and shocking MK-Ultra experiments took place outside of America…mainly in Canada and Western Europe.
Gottlieb is noted to have carried out extensive experimentation in Europe. It was reported that Gottlieb and his team of researchers sought out criminals…both convicted and soon-to-be-convicted…and got them to agree to the testing in exchange for reduced sentences. In some cases, they proceeded with testing, even if the subjects refused.
His tests included offering them high doses of psychedelic drugs, depriving them of sleep for days at a time, using electroshock stimulation repeatedly to try to break down their sense of self, and a variety of other torture methods.
Neither the tests in America nor the ones that took place outside the country were ever scrutinized by other parties in the C-I-A. Gottlieb carried out his experiments without limitations, restrictions, or reprimand for many years.
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Canadian “Driving Experiments”
Donald Ewen Cameron was a Nazi Scientist experimenting with MK-Ultra. He’s best known for his Canadian “driving experiments.”
Cameron would drive over the border to Canada to carry out tests on non-Americans in prisons and psychiatric hospitals.
Subjects were often placed into an involuntary coma for weeks or months at a time, and delivered repeated messages while unconscious… in an attempt to plant memories or ideas in their heads.
Large doses of LSD and other psychedelics were administered to unknowing or unwilling patients.
He also experimented with paralytic drugs. He intermittently administered electric shocks many times higher than the standard power… to see if the subject could overcome the paralytic state in which they were placed.
Donald Ewen Cameron was a Nazi Scientist experimenting with MK-Ultra. He’s best known for his Canadian “driving experiments.”
Cameron would drive over the border to Canada to carry out tests on non-Americans in prisons and psychiatric hospitals.
Subjects were often placed into an involuntary coma for weeks or months at a time, and delivered repeated messages while unconscious… in an attempt to plant memories or ideas in their heads.
Large doses of LSD and other psychedelics were administered to unknowing or unwilling patients.
He also experimented with paralytic drugs. He intermittently administered electric shocks many times higher than the standard power… to see if the subject could overcome the paralytic state in which they were placed.
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Truth Experiments
In addition to mind control, the CIA worked tirelessly to find out if a variety of drugs could be used as a truth serum. Presumably, the C-I-A planned to use these methods in interrogations if they proved successful.
Many truth experiments involved different forms of psychological and physical torture, but among the most disturbing were those carried out with “uppers” and “downers”.
Subjects would be hooked up to two IVs…one with barbiturates and the other with amphetamines. The barbiturates would be administered until the subject was nearly unconscious. The barbiturates would then be stopped, and amphetamines would be delivered to wake the subject up again.
In addition to mind control, the CIA worked tirelessly to find out if a variety of drugs could be used as a truth serum. Presumably, the C-I-A planned to use these methods in interrogations if they proved successful.
Many truth experiments involved different forms of psychological and physical torture, but among the most disturbing were those carried out with “uppers” and “downers”.
Subjects would be hooked up to two IVs…one with barbiturates and the other with amphetamines. The barbiturates would be administered until the subject was nearly unconscious. The barbiturates would then be stopped, and amphetamines would be delivered to wake the subject up again.
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Coming out of their drunken-like stupor from barbiturates, the subject would be energized by the amphetamines and would talk uncontrollably and incoherently. The idea was to ask the subject questions… in this state of babbling… to try to get the truth out of them.
Unfortunately, most of the subjects died from the drug interactions, and as a result this type of testing was discontinued.
Unfortunately, most of the subjects died from the drug interactions, and as a result this type of testing was discontinued.
Long-Term LSD Dosing
Another bizarre and inhumane experiment involved dosing subjects with LSD daily for long periods. In some cases, subjects received an average or above-average dose of LSD every day for more than two months straight.
Gottlieb used this testing method to see the long-term effects of LSD and if repeated hallucinations or psychedelic experiments would gradually deconstruct one’s sense of self.
Another bizarre and inhumane experiment involved dosing subjects with LSD daily for long periods. In some cases, subjects received an average or above-average dose of LSD every day for more than two months straight.
Gottlieb used this testing method to see the long-term effects of LSD and if repeated hallucinations or psychedelic experiments would gradually deconstruct one’s sense of self.
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The Rise of “Hippie Culture”
The “hippie” counterculture movement that defined American culture in the 60s and 70s was believed to have started as a direct result of Gottlieb’s experiments.
Ken Kesey, mentioned previously, was introduced to LSD that was brought to America…and specifically Stanford University.
Kesey’s “acid tests” were typically accompanied by loud music, other drugs, and alcohol, and they served as the foundation for anti-establishment and hippie culture.
The “hippie” counterculture movement that defined American culture in the 60s and 70s was believed to have started as a direct result of Gottlieb’s experiments.
Ken Kesey, mentioned previously, was introduced to LSD that was brought to America…and specifically Stanford University.
Kesey’s “acid tests” were typically accompanied by loud music, other drugs, and alcohol, and they served as the foundation for anti-establishment and hippie culture.
The End of MK-Ultra & Its Aftermath
MK-Ultra experiments came to an end (or did it) in 1973, about 20 years after they began. The project created distrust in the federal government that still exists today.
Destruction of MK-Ultra Records
By 1973, Gottlieb’s superiors ordered the destruction of documents and records from the MK-Ultra project. Reports state that the destruction of documents was ordered because the C-I-A officials feared they would be declassified in the wake of the Watergate Scandal.
It’s believed that most of the documentation was destroyed from the CIA’s archives before the information was released to government officials and the public. However, approximately 20,000 documents remained and were investigated by officials and attorneys.
MK-Ultra experiments came to an end (or did it) in 1973, about 20 years after they began. The project created distrust in the federal government that still exists today.
Destruction of MK-Ultra Records
By 1973, Gottlieb’s superiors ordered the destruction of documents and records from the MK-Ultra project. Reports state that the destruction of documents was ordered because the C-I-A officials feared they would be declassified in the wake of the Watergate Scandal.
It’s believed that most of the documentation was destroyed from the CIA’s archives before the information was released to government officials and the public. However, approximately 20,000 documents remained and were investigated by officials and attorneys.
Frank Church, a lawyer and Senator from Idaho, formed the “Church Committee,” a group dedicated to the exposure of MK-Ultra and related CIA projects. The Church Committee helped complete the CIA’s investigation and eventually pressured the President Gerald Ford to put new laws in place to protect future subjects from such treatment.
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Presidential Order for Transparency:
In 1976, under advisement from the Church Committee, President Gerald Ford presented an executive order, later referred to as the “Presidential Order for Transparency.”
This order stated that any future tests and experiments involving humans…issued by the CIA or other government programs… must be clear, transparent, and upfront with subjects about their intent and methods for experimentation.
In 1976, under advisement from the Church Committee, President Gerald Ford presented an executive order, later referred to as the “Presidential Order for Transparency.”
This order stated that any future tests and experiments involving humans…issued by the CIA or other government programs… must be clear, transparent, and upfront with subjects about their intent and methods for experimentation.
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