When discussing the notion of "consuming" the atomic bomb, the typical context often relates to its representation within commercial culture—found in Hollywood movies, cartoon depictions on consumer products like chewing gum or breakfast cereal. Yet, an intriguing question arises: what if we broaden this perspective? Taking inspiration from Michael Pollan's recent observation that the emergence of psychedelics in the 20th century coincided with the atomic bomb's detonation, there appears to be a sort of "cosmic synchronicity" between these events. This prompts us to consider the atomic bomb as a potential transformative "substance" for the mind. Can we conceive of ingesting the bomb metaphorically to induce a mental shift? Just as a psychotrope, derived from the Greek term for "to turn the psyche," is a tool for reshaping perceptions of time and space, can we regard the atomic bomb—the quintessential technology of the 20th and 21st centuries—as a comparable psychedelic mechanism? Could it, as the etymology of "psychedelic" implies, embody the essence of the American psyche?

Even in the absence of the actual outbreak of nuclear warfare, the bomb possesses the capacity to generate alterations in perception. During the era of the Cold War, particularly in the 1950s, the bomb played a significant role in shaping what Alan Nadel has termed "Containment culture." This phenomenon encompassed domestic cultural pressures intertwined with official foreign policy strategies to curb Communism internationally, fostering a call for conformity on the home front. This form of atomic bomb-induced psychotropia stood in stark contrast to the deeply rooted American ideals of freedom and individualism. In this manner, the bomb managed to simultaneously trigger both anxiety and a sense of tranquility in the minds of individuals, preparing them for the prolonged period of the Cold War.