Mark Gagnon

And who better to call than someone that had literally helped design the protocols?

So by the early 1950s, Olson had gone from a patriotic scientist trying to secure the nation to a man who had seen so much and had experienced so much that he started to question the entire system.

And this entire world is built on secrecy.

And in such a covert system, that kind of conscience doesn't just make you uncomfortable.

It could make you a threat.

Now, we get to the night where it all starts.

On November 18th, 1953, a group of CIA officials and four Dietrich scientists were heading to a cabin at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland.

Officially, this was a work retreat, but like most, you know,

CIA-related work retreats in the woods, it was actually a strategy meeting mixed with an off-the-books experiment.

So at the table, you had Sidney Gottlieb, the CIA chemist who ran what would eventually become MKUltra, Robert Lashbrook, his deputy, and several members from SOD, including Frank Olson.

They drank and they talked and they goofed around.

But then at some point late in the evening, Gottlieb decided to run a test.

Without telling them, he dosed the men's drinks with LSD and began to monitor their actions.

Most of the men just kind of tripped out.

They laughed.

Eventually, they came down.

And by the next day, they were, you know, a little shaken up, but they were functional, right?

Just a night out with the boys where you dose them a little LSD.

You know, what's the worst that could happen?

However, Frank Olson was not okay.