Subscribe for free to the America First Report newsletter.
- The CIA’s MKULTRA program, a Cold War-era initiative, aimed to develop mind-control techniques through unethical experiments on unwitting human subjects, including the use of LSD, hypnosis, sensory deprivation and physical methods.
- Over 1,200 declassified documents reveal the program’s disturbing scope, confirming its unethical practices and the CIA’s deliberate destruction of evidence in 1973, ordered by then-CIA Director Richard Helms and Sidney Gottlieb.
- Experiments often targeted ordinary citizens, with federal narcotics agent George White conducting tests on unsuspecting individuals using LSD in CIA safehouses, justified as necessary for national security.
- The CIA used prestigious institutions like Georgetown University Hospital as testing grounds, developing substances to induce illogical thinking, impulsiveness and reversible disease symptoms for deception purposes.
- MKULTRA’s techniques influenced CIA interrogation practices globally, raising ongoing ethical questions about national security. The program’s revelations highlight the need for transparency, accountability and vigilance in intelligence operations.
(Natural News)—The Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) infamous MKULTRA program, a Cold War-era initiative aimed at developing mind-control techniques, has long been shrouded in secrecy and controversy. Now, a newly released collection of over 1,200 documents, published by the National Security Archive and ProQuest, sheds further light on the disturbing reality of this program. The revelations confirm what many have long suspected: the CIA’s experiments on human subjects were not only unethical but also deeply unsettling in their scope and ambition.
The MKULTRA program, conducted primarily in the 1950s, sought to explore methods of manipulating and reprogramming the human mind. The newly released documents reveal that the CIA employed a range of extreme techniques, including the use of drugs like LSD, hypnosis, sensory deprivation and even physical methods to induce shock and confusion. These experiments were often conducted on unwitting American citizens, raising serious ethical and legal questions.
The collection, titled “CIA and the Behavioral Sciences: Mind Control, Drug Experiments and MKULTRA,” includes records that survived a deliberate effort by the CIA to destroy evidence of the program. According to the National Security Archive, then-CIA Director Richard Helms and Sidney Gottlieb, head of the agency’s Technical Services Staff, ordered the destruction of most MKULTRA documents in 1973. However, the surviving records paint a chilling picture of the agency’s decades-long pursuit of mind-control capabilities.
One of the most alarming aspects of MKULTRA was its use of unwitting human subjects. Federal narcotics agent George White, operating under the alias “Morgan Hall,” conducted approximately 40 tests in CIA safehouses, dosing unsuspecting individuals with LSD to study its effects on behavior and interrogation techniques. These experiments, which often targeted ordinary citizens, were justified by Gottlieb and Helms as necessary for national security.
The documents also reveal that the CIA used philanthropic organizations and prestigious institutions as fronts for its experiments. Georgetown University Hospital, for instance, served as a testing ground for MKULTRA projects. A memo from the CIA’s Technical Services Staff details discussions between agency officials, including Director Allen Dulles, about the cost-effectiveness of using the hospital for such purposes. The memo lists various “materials and methods” under development, including substances designed to promote “illogical thinking and impulsiveness” and others capable of simulating reversible disease symptoms for deception purposes.
Resisting the Deep State
Not all CIA personnel supported the program. Some officers raised moral objections, particularly regarding MKDELTA, a subproject aimed at operationalizing MKULTRA techniques. According to one document, these objections hindered progress. Senior officials, including Inspector General John Earman and Deputy Director Gen. Marshall Carter, criticized the program’s lack of oversight and the poor conditions of testing facilities.
The MKULTRA program’s existence only became widely known in 1975, during the Church Committee’s investigation into intelligence abuses. The newly released documents underscore the extent to which the program operated with approval from the highest levels of government but without proper accountability.
The legacy of MKULTRA extends far beyond the Cold War. As author Stephen Kinzer notes, the techniques developed under the program were later used in CIA interrogation practices in Vietnam, Latin America, Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. The program’s influence on modern intelligence operations raises troubling questions about the ethical boundaries of national security efforts.
The release of these documents serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked government power. While the CIA has stated that MKULTRA was shut down more than 40 years ago and that declassified information about the program is publicly available, the revelations underscore the need for continued vigilance and transparency in intelligence operations.
As Americans, we must demand accountability from our institutions and ensure that such abuses are never repeated. The MKULTRA program is a dark chapter in our nation’s history, but it also serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of sacrificing ethical principles in the name of security.
The National Security Archive’s collection is a vital resource for understanding the full scope of the CIA’s mind-control experiments. It is a sobering reminder that the pursuit of power, unchecked by morality, can lead to profound and lasting harm. As we reflect on these revelations, we must reaffirm our commitment to upholding the values that define us as a nation.
Sources include:
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.