Jacob Green

Biography

Jacob is a historian of science and medicine, and the United States.

His dissertation argues that many of the issues which have arisen during the recent surge in scientific
research on psychedelic drugs like psilocybin and LSD began in the nineteenth century when inhalation
anesthesia was introduced into medicine. While anesthetics are used to induce unconsciousness and
eliminate pain, taking them can also cause hallucinations and mystical experiences. His dissertation
explores how the altered states patients experienced under anesthesia influenced religion, gender,
philosophy and law in the United States and Britain—where inhalation anesthesia was first developed—
from 1800 to 1938, when LSD was discovered. The first chapter explores how the intoxicating effects of
nitrous oxide and ether were used to teach students about chemistry in the early nineteenth century. The
second investigates cases of sexual assault under anesthesia and how doctors tried to discredit survivors’
testimony through claiming supposed assaults were hallucinations caused by side effects of anesthetics.
The third chapter investigates the history of “set and setting”—the idea that mindset and environment can
affect drug experiences. This concept is generally credited to the 1960s psychedelic scientist and guru
Timothy Leary. This chapter shows that set and setting actually originated in nineteenth century
anesthesiology. It explores how doctors tried to shape patient’s mindsets and operating room
environments to prevent complications during surgeries and dental procedures. The fourth and fifth
chapters explore how anesthetically induced mystical experiences that involved seeing angelic entities or
merging with the oneness of God affected the religious and philosophical beliefs of nineteenth century
figures like William James.

Link to Current CV

Current/Former HGSA Member

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