Part 2/13:
Latterman, who has been teaching at Emory for over 25 years, specializes in courses on death and dying, sexuality, and religion. His work often probes the heavy subjects that shape human existence. Despite the weight of these topics, Latterman approaches them with openness and curiosity, emphasizing how they intertwine with cultural and spiritual practices.
He explains that his interest in drugs, from psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD to everyday psychoactives such as caffeine, stems from their roles in ritual, transcendence, and the quest for meaning. He notes that substances historically used in religious rituals have played a vital role across cultures and eras, from ancient sacraments to modern medical research.