Andrew Lees, “Mentored by a Madman: The William Burroughs Experiment” (Notting Hill Editions, 2017)Andrew Lees, “Mentored by a Madman: The William Burroughs Experiment” (Notting Hill Editions, 2017)
New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery
Mentored by a Madman: The William Burroughs Experiment (Notting Hill Editions, 2017) is a fascinating account by one of the world’s leading and most decorated neurologists of the profound influence of William Burroughs on his medical career. Dr.
1:03:17•12 Mar 2018
Madman Mentor: William Burroughs' Surprising Influence on Neurology
“I thank Burroughs for that, because, looking back now on my career, which has been a reasonably good one, as you kindly mentioned in your introduction, the thing I'm most proud of is the reintroduction of apomorphine into clinical practice, because this is the only thing I've done which has had a direct impact on patients' welfare and well-being.”
Ever thought a beatnik writer could revolutionize medical science? In this episode of 'New Books in Drugs, Addiction, and Recovery', Dr. Andrew Lees shares how William Burroughs, the controversial author of 'Naked Lunch', profoundly shaped his career. Lees, one of the world's leading neurologists, recounts his journey from reading Burroughs' works to venturing into the Amazon rainforest and experimenting with ayahuasca.
Inspired by Burroughs' unconventional approach to life and thought, Lees discovered a groundbreaking treatment for Parkinson's Disease and adopted Sherlock Holmes-style deductive reasoning for patient diagnosis. But it's not all smooth sailing; Burroughs' tumultuous life and interactions with doctors add layers of complexity to this fascinating story. Lees' narrative underscores the unexpected sources of inspiration in medical research and the power of looking beyond traditional mentors.
If you're curious about the intersections of literature, addiction, and neurology, this episode is a must-listen.
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