John Cunningham Lilly, MD, was an American physician, neuroscientist, psychoanalyst, psychonaut, philosopher, and inventor. He is the author of many books, including The Center of the Cyclone, The Deep Self, Programming the Human Biocomputer, The Scientist, Simulations of God, and Tanks for the Memories. His research on human-dolphin communication and consciousness-expanding drugs were the inspiration for the films Altered States and Day of the Dolphin.