Abraham Maslow’s Interest in Psychedelic Research: A Tribute

This tribute to one of the founders of the field of humanistic psychology describes Abraham Maslow’s interest in psychedelic research.

Abstract

“In this brief tribute to Abraham Maslow, a founder of the Journal of Humanistic Psychology, his interests in psychedelic research are described by the author who served as his research assistant from 1966 to 1967.”

Author: William A. Richards

Summary

Abraham Maslow’s interests in psychedelic research are described by his research assistant.

Abraham Maslow was a professor who engendered profound respect in me and who liked simply to be called “Abe”. He had never ingested a psychedelic substance himself, but he was very interested in the rapidly expanding field of psychedelic studies.

A Jewish mystic described peak experiences of his own, including at least one that had occurred while simply lying on his back in the sunlight in his own backyard. He understood that some transcendental states of consciousness include not only profoundly beautiful emotions but also intuitive knowledge.

Inspired by James Klee’s presence, I applied for a PhD in psychology at Brandeis University. My interest in psychedelic studies was positively endorsed by the psychology department.

Maslow was furious that a dean at Brandeis had overruled the recommendation of the psychology faculty and refused to approve my admission. He proposed an ingenious solution: I could become his research assistant and study in the PhD psychology program at Brandeis free of charge.

While attending classes and meetings with him, my appreciation for his scholarship and vision continued to grow. He insisted on teaching the introductory course for new students and responded to letters from potential applicants. He was wistful and playful, speculating on the unrecognized joys of lovemaking in old age, and freely credited and valued his own mentors. He hired new faculty members who represented diverse perspectives in psychology, and tolerated the disrespectful intolerance of some of them for his own ideas.

Maslow died while jogging in 1970, and I remain thankful to have known him.