Ken Kesey wrote two of my favorite books "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1962) and "Sometimes a Great Notion" (1964), but basically produced nothing of much merit after that.
I'm convinced that his subsequent over-indulgence in psychedelics destroyed his ability to produce great literature.
One thing I consistently saw in people that tried these substances is that abusing them -- heavy, careless use -- can be very harmful. I would not recommend it. I saw a few people in my youth who kind of just "never came back."
They seem able to produce beneficial effects in moderation and if treated with respect. I suppose that's true of lots of other powerful technologies. Treat them with respect and they can work well, but abuse them and they'll harm you.
Ken Kesey wrote two of my favorite books "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1962) and "Sometimes a Great Notion" (1964), but basically produced nothing of much merit after that.
I'm convinced that his subsequent over-indulgence in psychedelics destroyed his ability to produce great literature.