Leor Roseman - How Psychedelics Spread: The Sociopolitical Dynamics of Psychedelic Diffusion

Psychedelic diffusion occurs through a cycle of revelatory moments, followed by enthusiast-led dissemination, and ending in routinization or exclusivity. Enthusiasts play a central role by creating a strong bond between the substance itself and a particular cultural structure, such as medical discourse or spiritual practice. This connection facilitates the movement of the substance from one specific social context to another. Movements are typically characterized by bursts of activity followed by periods of institutionalization. Constant friction between the original revelatory intent and the routinized cultural setting can lead to internal schisms, which occasionally revitalize the movement. Over time, these dynamic processes enable psychedelic integration into wider societal structures.