Medicine & Health

Psychologist Timothy Leary is the father of the psychedelic movement of the 1960s and its experiments with mind-altering drugs. In 1960, Leary joined the faculty of Harvard at the Center for Personality Research, where he analyzed the effects of psychedelics and personality. As part of his research, introduced L.S.D. and other psychedelic drugs to many, and also used them himself. Leary was eventually asked to leave the university, and later served time in jail on drug charges. After his release, Leary went a tour debating one of his nemeses, G. Gordon Liddy.

Morgan and Johanna Sibbett discuss the moral, ethical and legal implications of rational suicide. As a married couple, they have decided such an option would be best if either of them faced terminal illness.

Sociologist Ann H. Beuf explores the reasons for the negative experiences children have in hospitals in her new book, Biting Off the Bracelet. She tells Fresh Air host Terry Gross about how the expectations of hospitalized children often conflict with positive ideas off child rearing.

Terry Gross invites three blind people from different professions to discuss their experiences.

Terry Gross speaks with activists, sociologists, and medical professionals about the social, health concerns, and mental well-being of overweight individuals.

Dr. Robert Giuntoli, gynecologist, of the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Herbert Blough, virologist, of the University of Pennsylvania and the Scheie Institute, join the show to discuss the new treatment they have developed for genital herpes.

Professor Ken Brusica discusses the field of music therapy.