What a long strange trip ...
The father of LSD and the first person to experience an "acid trip", Albert Hoffman, has died aged 102.
Swiss-born Hoffman was renowned by chemists, pharmacists and hippies the world over for stumbling across the world's first synthesised hallucinogen, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), in 1938.
His research, for pharmaceutical company Sandoz, involved trying to find a circulatory and respiratory simulant and initially he abandoned LSD when it failed to show any positive effects on test animals.
But five years later, on April 16, 1943, Hoffman decided to re-examine the drug and three days later he deliberately consumed 250 micrograms before asking his laboratory assistant to help him ride his bike home. That day, April 19, 1943, became known as "Bicycle Day" to acid aficionados.
In his 1979 autobiography, LSD, My Problem Child, he described the ride. "On the way home, my condition began to assume threatening forms. Everything in my field of vision wavered and was distorted as if seen in a curved mirror.
"I also had the sensation of being unable to move from the spot. Nevertheless, my assistant later told me that we had travelled very rapidly." When he arrived home he was brought some milk by a neighbour, whom he perceived as a "malevolent, insidious witch" wearing "a lurid mask".
Six hours later the effects subsided but the legendary effects of the hallucinogen were born, and over the next six decades became an important part of Western counter-culture and a highly controversial drug. hit
There's a theory that suggests modern liberalism - that particularly deranged and delusional strain we see today - can trace its roots back to Disney's 'Fantasia' and the invention of LSD. The infectious surrealism of the movie left a lasting impression on kids exposed to it through the 50's, when it appeared on television annually. I've dropped more acid than anyone I've ever met. And I've seen Fantasia while on the drug a dozen times.
I guess I am a pot purist!
I dabbled with LSD but always went back to pot!
I do remember the first time--at a concert high in the Sierras--kind of freaky--I drank lots of green beer and pissed
green urine!
Where's my bong? (Nope, it's only 730am!)
Posted by: Oldcatman | 04/30/2008 at 07:37 AM
The last time Ruth and I saw FANTASIA the entire audience was on drugs.
Posted by: OINK | 04/30/2008 at 06:30 PM
I imagine the Wizard of Oz would be quite an eyeful after ingesting LSD. The only part of Phantasia that I remember is the hippos dance. Perhaps thats because no drugs were involved?
Posted by: Mouse | 04/30/2008 at 07:37 PM
I remember a few years back seeing a late night documentary (PBS?) that had a very plausible link between the Salem and other withcraft outbreaks. Seems there is a very strong correlation between weather favoravble to the development of a common grain fungus and the outbreaks of the hallucinations. The chemicals produced by the fungus are nearly identical to LSD. So much of the blame on people of those times can, at least partially, be explained by the fact that they weren't quite right. Personally, never did drugs. I had asthma as a kid, living with people who were heavy smokers, so the thought of putting smoke in my lungs lacked appeal. I've also been lucky in having genes that let me laugh(too much) and act crazy (too much) sans outside stimulants. OK, I love hard liqour, hate mass produced beer, but Oregon is home to many excellent home and micro brewed beers. The best beer I ever had was a Roen-Weizen. I can only dream of tasting it again. I couldn't describe it, but I knew I wanted more, a lot more. It tasted that good. Peace and joy!
Posted by: Ron | 04/30/2008 at 09:11 PM
OCM ...
You on acid is not a pretty picture.
OINK ...
Yeah, I know and if you go to a screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, not only are they all stoned but they're all dressed in drag and wearing way too much makeup.
Adds to the total ambience of the movie going experience, doncha know?
Mouse ...
There's neat trick you can do. Rent a copy of the Wiazrd of Oz and watch it on mute. Synchronize the movie with Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon'.
You don't even NEED drugs for that too mess with your head.
Ron ...
I would have never figured you for a beer snob.
Posted by: Steel | 05/01/2008 at 04:25 AM