In 1959, Cary Grant underwent LSD psychotherapy sessions that changed his life. Grant, using the pseudonym “The Acrobat,” embraced the mind-altering effects of the drug as Dr. Mortimer Hartman guided him through his traumatic childhood memories. Grant’s sessions served as inspiration for Edward J. Delaney’s novel, The Acrobat, which explores the genre of LSD novels. These novels often depict protagonists who discover mind-altering drugs, leading to revelations and conflicts with mainstream society. Delaney’s novel sheds light on the current “psychedelic renaissance” and asks if Grant’s experiences can teach us something. Grant’s sessions reveal conflicting sides of his psyche and help him reframe his destructive behaviors in relationships. The novel also captures the historical moment when LSD was legal and used for therapy, before it became stigmatized.
https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/acids-first-convert-cary-grant-on-edward-j-delaneys-the-acrobat/