‘Special Research for Artichoke’
February 24th, 2026The following is from a 1952 CIA document called, Special Research for Artichoke:
It is believed that specific research should be undertaken to develop new chemicals or drugs or to improve known elements for use in the Artichoke work. A study should be made to determine what drugs are best suited for direct use on subjects along the lines of amytal and pentothal and which drugs are best for indirect or lcng-range approach to subjects. This second type of drug should be one that could be administered over a considerable period of time, possibly being placed in food or water and would either have an agitating effect (producing anxiety, nervousness, tension, etc.) or a depressing effect (creating a feeling of despondency, hopelessness, lethargy, etc.). This study should include chemicals or drugs that can effectively be concealed in common items such as food, water, coca cola, beer, liquor, cigarettes, etc. This type of drug should also be capable of use in standard medical treatments such as vaccinations, shots, etc.
Via: Daily Mail:
A newly released CIA document reveals a chilling blueprint to manipulate minds through covert drugging experiments.
The report, added to the CIA’s reading room in 2025, details the government’s once top-secret Project Artichoke that ran from 1951 to 1956, focusing on behavior control, interrogation techniques and psychological manipulation.
The seven-page document, titled ‘Special Research for Artichoke,’ with an attachment labeled ‘Suggested Fields for Special Research Relative Artichoke,’ outlines proposals to develop chemicals capable of altering human behavior.
It discusses drugs designed for both immediate effects, like truth serums and long-term influence, potentially administered through food, water, alcohol or cigarettes.
Researchers also suggested that such substances could be disguised in medical treatments such as vaccinations or injections.
The CIA was also looking into methods beyond chemicals, listing hypnosis, sensory deprivation, gases and other psychological methods for interrogation and behavioral control.
Artichoke served as a precursor to the CIA’s MKUltra program, which later broadened mind-altering experiments on a larger scale.
