Live data from Hacker News

Albert Hofmann discovers the effects of LSD (1943)

laphamsquarterly.org

21–30 of 101 posts

Re: Albert Hofmann discovers the effects of LSD (1943)

#21
post #18
post #7

You can't get high from LSD by touching it. Albert is a liar. He nibbled some. My theory is, he knew those in the know know that this is an impossible way to get high, which is why he stuck with it (a crafty wink). He could have simply said he got a little on his finger and touched his mouth, but he stuck with the skin absorption story. Just a little harmless tinfoil.

From everything I know, that's not true of crystal LSD. Ever heard of thumbprinting?

> A thumbprint is a method of consuming a massive amount of lsd, where a massive (relatively, compared to a blotter dose) amount of lsd crystals are made into a small pile, pressed on with a thumb, and then the thumb into the mouth.

The ROA is still oral.

Re: Albert Hofmann discovers the effects of LSD (1943)

#22
This encouraged me to read his book "LSD: my problem child" (where this article pulls this excerpt from). I would recommend anyone interested in psychedelics to give it a read! It's available for free on the internet archive: https://archive.org/details/LSDMyProblemChildByDr.AlbertHoff...

Re: Albert Hofmann discovers the effects of LSD (1943)

#23
post #21
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From everything I know, that's not true of crystal LSD. Ever heard of thumbprinting?

> A thumbprint is a method of consuming a massive amount of lsd, where a massive (relatively, compared to a blotter dose) amount of lsd crystals are made into a small pile, pressed on with a thumb, and then the thumb into the mouth. The ROA is still oral.

Unless it was (literal) 'needlepoint' LSD... maybe he stabbed himself with a shard? /s

Re: Albert Hofmann discovers the effects of LSD (1943)

#24

What’s interesting is when LSD was first discovered and popularized with psychiatrists, it was considered a “model psychosis” - inducing a temporary state of psychosis which researchers could use to study mental problems. That theory was discredited in the late 60’s when it got banned (it was one of the reasons why it was supposed to have no medical value). I believe there’s a lot of truth to it, from my experience i…

I disagree and I think most researchers decided that it was not a good mental model and most moved on to amphetamines or later cannabis as a better model.

Re: Albert Hofmann discovers the effects of LSD (1943)

#25
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Looking at the definition of psychosis: > a severe mental disorder in which thought and emotions are so impaired that contact is lost with external reality. Based on my research, typical (and even greater than typical) recreational doses of LSD do not cause a “severe mental disorder” as described in the definition. At “raves”, for example, lots of people are under the influence and yet they have not lost contact with…

> At “raves”, for example, lots of people are under the influence and yet they have not lost contact with external reality. Taking LSD is a strange choice for a rave, IMO; you want less visual and audio stimulation under it's influence, not more. MDMA, MDA, 2CB, amphetamines, mephedrone and other similar substances (and their mixes in ecstasy pills) are much more rave-friendly.

Not very strange in the psytrance scene.

Re: Albert Hofmann discovers the effects of LSD (1943)

#26
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Looking at the definition of psychosis: > a severe mental disorder in which thought and emotions are so impaired that contact is lost with external reality. Based on my research, typical (and even greater than typical) recreational doses of LSD do not cause a “severe mental disorder” as described in the definition. At “raves”, for example, lots of people are under the influence and yet they have not lost contact with…

> At “raves”, for example, lots of people are under the influence and yet they have not lost contact with external reality. Taking LSD is a strange choice for a rave, IMO; you want less visual and audio stimulation under it's influence, not more. MDMA, MDA, 2CB, amphetamines, mephedrone and other similar substances (and their mixes in ecstasy pills) are much more rave-friendly.

It depends on the kind of rave.

The fast drumming beat of psytrance for example works quite well for 'carrying' the trip.

House or minimal on the other hand would be to irregular and 'cold' for LSD IMHO.

Re: Albert Hofmann discovers the effects of LSD (1943)

#27
post #7

You can't get high from LSD by touching it. Albert is a liar. He nibbled some. My theory is, he knew those in the know know that this is an impossible way to get high, which is why he stuck with it (a crafty wink). He could have simply said he got a little on his finger and touched his mouth, but he stuck with the skin absorption story. Just a little harmless tinfoil.

FIY

Re: Albert Hofmann discovers the effects of LSD (1943)

#28
post #21
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From everything I know, that's not true of crystal LSD. Ever heard of thumbprinting?

> A thumbprint is a method of consuming a massive amount of lsd, where a massive (relatively, compared to a blotter dose) amount of lsd crystals are made into a small pile, pressed on with a thumb, and then the thumb into the mouth. The ROA is still oral.

Sure, but the accounts of thumbprinting I've read made it seem like there is a strong sensation almost immediately after touching it. I also know people who have described a contact high from laying sheets of LSD. Hmm... I could be wrong though.

Re: Albert Hofmann discovers the effects of LSD (1943)

#29
post #27
post #7

You can't get high from LSD by touching it. Albert is a liar. He nibbled some. My theory is, he knew those in the know know that this is an impossible way to get high, which is why he stuck with it (a crafty wink). He could have simply said he got a little on his finger and touched his mouth, but he stuck with the skin absorption story. Just a little harmless tinfoil.

FIY

FIY "sticking one's thumb into pure LSD powder and licking it off"

Re: Albert Hofmann discovers the effects of LSD (1943)

#30
post #5

What’s interesting is when LSD was first discovered and popularized with psychiatrists, it was considered a “model psychosis” - inducing a temporary state of psychosis which researchers could use to study mental problems. That theory was discredited in the late 60’s when it got banned (it was one of the reasons why it was supposed to have no medical value). I believe there’s a lot of truth to it, from my experience i…

Looking at the definition of psychosis: > a severe mental disorder in which thought and emotions are so impaired that contact is lost with external reality. Based on my research, typical (and even greater than typical) recreational doses of LSD do not cause a “severe mental disorder” as described in the definition. At “raves”, for example, lots of people are under the influence and yet they have not lost contact with…

I’ve taken LSD maybe 100 times and the side effects can include paranoia, confusion (I’ve thought I was in a different century), gross distortion of time, seemingly “profound” revelations, loss of ego/self confidence and of course hallucinations, many of which are similar to people suffering a psychotic break.

My friend who had a psychotic break likened it to an LSD experience.

Of course I’m only listing negative effects here, it’s not all bad, please don’t get that impression. It can be transformative and a positive experience.

Post reply on HN