Judges’ comments:
Steven Kotler artfully weaves the story of a dying cancer patient’s experimentation with ecstasy and other illegal psychedelic drugs to relieve her pain and anxiety with an account of researchers who are conducting clinical trials of these drugs in an effort to provide an evidence base for them to be used legally for cancer patients and veterans with PTSD.
Kotler’s reporting is impressive, most notably his ability to gain the trust of Mara Howell and her mother, who allowed him to be a fly on the wall in her last days as she was treated by an underground psychedelic therapist. He demonstrates a keen eye for detail and comprehensively traces the colorful history of psychedelic drugs in medicine, providing the context for the current wave of interest.
While he writes with a strong point of view, Kotler is careful to point out that the trials are still ongoing and to not cross over into advocacy.
1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
“The New Psychedelic Renaissance” by Steven Kotler.
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
April 10. 2010.
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Kotler’s piece is the first major look at the underground world of psychedelic medicines, which have reappeared in the mainstream after a 30-year absence. It represents the first major media reporting on the use of MDMA (ecstasy) to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as the use of mushrooms to treat what is known as “fear of death” (i.e., life) anxiety.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Books on the history of psychedelics, scientific papers
5. Explain types of human sources used.
Interviews with doctors, patients, researchers and advocates.
6. Results (if any).
Kotler received a number of emails from soldiers suffering from PTSD who were looking for relief and pleased to know that psychedelics might help. Since the publication of the article, two of the studies that it previewed, on using psychedelics for PTSD and life anxiety, have been released, putting the issue into the news.
7. Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No corrections or clarifications.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
“Always do 10 more interviews than you think you need, especially with scientific topics. Surround the data — that is, talk to sources on all sides of the data, especially with hot button topics. Everyone is passionate and that often leads to inaccuracies in their arguments. Anytime I could call someone else and ask questions I did. Go deep and don’t stop.”