Drilling a Hole in the Skull: The Crazy History of 1960s Trepanation

66 min • 3 mars 2025

In this episode of Impolite Society, Laura and Rachel explore the bizarre 1960s counterculture practice of trepanation, where individuals drilled holes in their heads to achieve heightened consciousness. We discuss the historical roots, key figures like Bart Hughes, and the modern revival attempts by groups advocating for it. Blending humor with research, we delve into the motivations behind self-trepanation, the supposed benefits, and the disturbing accounts of DIY procedures. This episode is a wild ride into one of the most extreme and peculiar fads of the past century.

Sources:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3640229/

https://www.scielo.br/j/anp/a/rsfbjBsF9RFVgMz3DwzsnkC/?lang=en

https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/hole-in-the-head-trepanation/

https://cvltnation.com/head-lure-trepanation/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1FHTJo4Bcg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJRA6EejY0U

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1173790/ pub: 2000

https://www.rcfp.org/abc-ordered-hand-over-unedited-head-drilling-tapes/

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https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/news/nation-world/2001/05/20/you-need-this-like-hole/50338130007/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/features/trepan.htm