Yes. Hefner is a direct descendant of William Bradford of the Mayflower family. Joined the army and was recruited to mockingbird dept or OSS as a cartoonist.
Then went to Chicago University and learnt about social sciences and psychology. Basically, anyone in the OSS/CIA did Psychology at this time.
I really think Hefner believed in his editorial message of female empowerment. He believed in the Earth Goddess. That doesn't necessarily make him a satanist or a baddie. He was more of a pagan or Unitarian.
Do you want to know more?