Case File 02 — Lobotomy: Psychosurgery’s Rise and Fall

In the mid-20th century, lobotomy was hailed as a revolutionary cure for mental illness—endorsed by Nobel Prizes and embraced by overcrowded institutions desperate for solutions. This episode examines how authority, urgency, and misplaced optimism turned irreversible brain surgery into standard care, and why its quiet victims were ignored long after doubts emerged. For the full written case file, visit thepharmafiles.substack.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepharmafiles.substack.com