Radio Curious

Non-lethal chemical warfare may be an oxymoron to some, but actually was the goal of a US Army research program in the 1960s and 70s at Edgewood Arsenal, an army arsenal in Maryland.  The research goal was to find incapacitating non-lethal chemical weapons that would cause the enemy to lie down, smile and laugh.  The research team was lead by a psychiatrist Dr. James S. Ketchum, then a colonel in the US Army.  The team attempted to determine if LSD, cannabis, or belladonna could achieve the goal.  Dr. Ketchum, the author of “Chemical Warfare: Secrets Almost Forgotten,” visited the studios of Radio Curious on August 1, 2008 where we began our interview when I asked what originally drew him to participate in the project at Edgewood Arsenal.

The books he recommends are “Pihkal: A Chemical Love Story” and “Tihkal: The Continuation,” by Alexander and Ann Shulgin.

 

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