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Albert Hofmann discovers the effects of LSD (1943)

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

#91

Post by golergka »

cc81 wrote: post #25
golergka wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

True, but I would hardly call a trance open-air a "rave". But the use of the term probably depends on local music culture.

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

#92

Post by [deleted] »

throwweed wrote: post #90
throwawayLSD wrote: post #69

Disclaimer: I probably shouldn't be posting this, even under a throwaway, but I'm on the other side of the international date line, and I've had a few beers tonight. This post is in response to several comments on this thread. I've done quite a lot of LSD, and I feel that I have some anecdotal input that might be valuable to some. First, some background regarding my usage: I've been using hallucinogenic substances fo…

You’re recommending that the general public engage in consuming LSD. This is so incredibly irresponsible that I’m at a loss of words. Simply, there’s no reliable way to assess whether someone will have a bad reaction. Your recommendations for assessing safety are not reliable. And, trips are a one-way journey. You’ll never be the same after you trip. Just keep in mind that you’re getting advice from someone who has a…

[deleted]

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

#93

Post by sev »

throwweed wrote: post #90
throwawayLSD wrote: post #69

Disclaimer: I probably shouldn't be posting this, even under a throwaway, but I'm on the other side of the international date line, and I've had a few beers tonight. This post is in response to several comments on this thread. I've done quite a lot of LSD, and I feel that I have some anecdotal input that might be valuable to some. First, some background regarding my usage: I've been using hallucinogenic substances fo…

You’re recommending that the general public engage in consuming LSD. This is so incredibly irresponsible that I’m at a loss of words. Simply, there’s no reliable way to assess whether someone will have a bad reaction. Your recommendations for assessing safety are not reliable. And, trips are a one-way journey. You’ll never be the same after you trip. Just keep in mind that you’re getting advice from someone who has a…

I agree with OP’s recommendation that one should consider trying LSD only after much research and understanding. It has changed many lives, yes...mostly for the better, according to my research. Even “bad trips” can be for the ultimate good.

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

#94

Post by bonesss »

StavrosK wrote: post #61
virtualwhys wrote: post #33

> I was just barely capable of asking my companion to summon our family doctor and request milk from the neighbors. Hah, hah, a sign of the times. That's the last thing I'd want to injest when in the throws of a deep, harrowing LSD trip, yuck. Really the only thing that "helps", I find, is a watch (if you're able to read the watch that is). Time can help ground you in the sense that you know roughly when the peak wil…

> That's the last thing I'd want to injest when in the throws of a deep, harrowing LSD trip, yuck. I imagine he wanted to ingest milk in the throes of an LSD trip because he thought it would be the appropriate antidote for what he perceived as poisoning. > Really the only thing that "helps", I find, is a watch Yes, but nobody in the world at the time knew how long LSD trips last, or whether you'll be alive at the end…

> nobody in the world at the time knew how long LSD trips last

And no one knew that losing the ability to read/understand time is a pretty common psychedelic side effect.

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

#95

Post by bonesss »

peg_leg wrote: post #36
cairo_x wrote: 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.

Perhaps with microgram amounts - common dosages. He was working with a huge amount ... milligrams. The idea that a microgram may transmit transdermally is not inconceivable at that amount.

I'd also challenge the idea of an active scientist "getting things in his mouth" or ingesting new chemical compounds for the heck of it (at doses almost legendarily small compared to most drugs etc)...

Knowing that the compound is not dangerous or toxic handling some with the hands, or improper inhalation, sounds reasonable. Being in the habit of nibbling on your synthesized chemicals sounds kinda wonky.

Not to mention, there is no real motivation to lie here, unless Hofmann were a routine imbiber of random chemicals and wanted to keep his dark secret. LSD was legal at the time.

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

#96

Post by DanBC »

bonesss wrote: post #95
peg_leg wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Perhaps with microgram amounts - common dosages. He was working with a huge amount ... milligrams. The idea that a microgram may transmit transdermally is not inconceivable at that amount.

I'd also challenge the idea of an active scientist "getting things in his mouth" or ingesting new chemical compounds for the heck of it (at doses almost legendarily small compared to most drugs etc)... Knowing that the compound is not dangerous or toxic handling some with the hands, or improper inhalation, sounds reasonable. Being in the habit of nibbling on your synthesized chemicals sounds kinda wonky. Not to menti…

> I'd also challenge the idea of an active scientist "getting things in his mouth" or ingesting new chemical compounds for the heck of it (at doses almost legendarily small compared to most drugs etc)...

We're talking about the 1940s, when things were a bit different.

See the history for saccharin, cyclamate, and aspartame for other examples of accidental ingestion.

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

#97

Post by throwawayLSD »

throwweed wrote: post #90
throwawayLSD wrote: post #69

Disclaimer: I probably shouldn't be posting this, even under a throwaway, but I'm on the other side of the international date line, and I've had a few beers tonight. This post is in response to several comments on this thread. I've done quite a lot of LSD, and I feel that I have some anecdotal input that might be valuable to some. First, some background regarding my usage: I've been using hallucinogenic substances fo…

You’re recommending that the general public engage in consuming LSD. This is so incredibly irresponsible that I’m at a loss of words. Simply, there’s no reliable way to assess whether someone will have a bad reaction. Your recommendations for assessing safety are not reliable. And, trips are a one-way journey. You’ll never be the same after you trip. Just keep in mind that you’re getting advice from someone who has a…

It seems that you or someone you know has had a bad experience with LSD - I'm very sorry about that. I've known a couple people for whom LSD triggered or exacerbated some underlying conditions; however, when I looked deeper into these cases, there did seem to be a strong correlation with them having pre-existing issues.

If you look into the statistics, I think you'll find that most of the cases where LSD has triggered other issues, the unfortunates tend to be under the age of 25 (it seems that most of the neurochemical issues that don't play well with acid manifest in the early 20s for most people).

I agree that LSD will almost certainly cause a life changing experience, and that such experiences are "not always roses for all", however, I do believe that life changing experiences are, in general, good things if taken with proper perspective. Again, YMMV.

I kind of resent your statement that I've fried my brain - I think that anyone who knows me would disagree with that assertion, but I understand that you're presenting the perspective of someone who has had a bad experience (or who knows someone who has had a bad experience). Any chance you'd like to discuss the motivation for your viewpoint further? I'm very interested in more data on the subject!

In any case, my apologies if I have offended; my intent was to share my experience.

I'll emphasize again that anyone considering taking any drugs should do some research first (erowid.org presents both the good and the bad), and should know themselves well before experimenting.

I truly hope you'll share some more about your experience(s). Thanks!

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

#98

Post by throwurself »

throwawayLSD wrote: post #97
throwweed wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You’re recommending that the general public engage in consuming LSD. This is so incredibly irresponsible that I’m at a loss of words. Simply, there’s no reliable way to assess whether someone will have a bad reaction. Your recommendations for assessing safety are not reliable. And, trips are a one-way journey. You’ll never be the same after you trip. Just keep in mind that you’re getting advice from someone who has a…

It seems that you or someone you know has had a bad experience with LSD - I'm very sorry about that. I've known a couple people for whom LSD triggered or exacerbated some underlying conditions; however, when I looked deeper into these cases, there did seem to be a strong correlation with them having pre-existing issues. If you look into the statistics, I think you'll find that most of the cases where LSD has triggere…

You and the rest of this Silicon Valley hippie love fest is infested with possessed fried self important humans that live in a goddamn bubble. (Note how the previous comment was down voted). You don’t know what you’re talking about. You don’t have the whole picture at all, and your promotion of LSD here is damaging to society.

Oh, and you use the word “I” too often. You’re selfish. “Oh I hope you share your experiences!” I’ve never done that garbage, but I’ve known folks that had no indication of any mental issues totally lose their minds and never recover. Frame it however you want; had they not taken that poison, they wouldn’t have had that experience and wouldn’t have ruined their lives. One can have no indication of any mental hangups, dose on LSD in what they believe is a sound state of mind and trustworthy set/setting, and never be the same thereafter, for the far worse. It’s Russian Roulette for the mind.

There’s obvious survivorship bias here. Someone who lost their shit and ruined their life likely isn’t posting on hacker news. And such forgotten acid casualties are presumed to have already had pre existing issues by folks like you, which is just more self serving nonsense. It’s part of the counter-culture mental-tough-guy mentality. “Can you handle it?” “Yo that guy who went nuts on acid was already crazy”. Well maybe, not in every case, but his brain chemistry didn’t mix well with LSD.

People get damaged from that shit permanently (LSD) and there’s no way to know in advance if that’s the case. Your “research” on that subject isn’t relevant at all. You and the rest here are spreading dangerous information.

Check your ego, son. Your brain is fried. At the least I’m hoping this response doesn’t get totally flagged. It’s personal to me, very much, when you (and others, but you’re the worst offender in this thread) promote that poison in a place where people lurking don’t understand the hippie underpinnings of this community.

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

#99

Post by bonesss »

DanBC wrote: post #96
bonesss wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd also challenge the idea of an active scientist "getting things in his mouth" or ingesting new chemical compounds for the heck of it (at doses almost legendarily small compared to most drugs etc)... Knowing that the compound is not dangerous or toxic handling some with the hands, or improper inhalation, sounds reasonable. Being in the habit of nibbling on your synthesized chemicals sounds kinda wonky. Not to menti…

> I'd also challenge the idea of an active scientist "getting things in his mouth" or ingesting new chemical compounds for the heck of it (at doses almost legendarily small compared to most drugs etc)... We're talking about the 1940s, when things were a bit different. See the history for saccharin, cyclamate, and aspartame for other examples of accidental ingestion.

Have any chemicals been ingested accidentally since 1940? Sure!

Are trained chemists with PhDs in the subject working with complex synthesis and dangerous chemicals in the habit, from 1929 to present day, of putting those things in their mouths? Awwww heck no.

And 1940 is near the point we cracked the atom... we knew oodles about dangerous chemical and safe handling practices. Accidents will happen, but the (speculative) fiction we are discussing here is Albert Hoffman intentionally eating LSD and lying about it :)

----

Saccharin, the oldest artificial sweetener, was accidentally discovered in 1879 by researcher Constantine Fahlberg -- Fahlberg was working with coal, and had no PhD AFAICT.

Cyclamate was discovered in 1937 at the University of Illinois by graduate student Michael Sveda. Sveda was working in the lab on the synthesis of anti-fever medication. He put his cigarette down on the lab bench, and, when he put it back in his mouth, he discovered the sweet taste of cyclamate -- a student, smoking in his messy lab

Aspartame was discovered in 1965 by James M. Schlatter, a chemist working for G.D. Searle & Company. Schlatter had synthesized aspartame as an intermediate step in generating a tetrapeptide of the hormone gastrin, for use in assessing an anti-ulcer drug candidate.[65] He discovered its sweet taste when he licked his finger, which had become contaminated with aspartame, to lift up a piece of paper -- an actual chemist, but working with something with a well known composition and known to be relatively harmless

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

#100

Post by onewhonknocks »

throwawayLSD wrote: post #89
onewhonknocks wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

'LSD is the safest option' Safer than cubensis?

In my opinion, yes. Dosage can vary wildly from mushroom to mushroom, even from the same batch. The physical side-effects of mushrooms can be much more difficult to deal with (in my experience, it is way more common for people to have intense vomitting on mushrooms than on LSD). Furhteromore, mushrooms contain many more chemicals than just psilocybin/psilocin; they are often unsanitary(especially mushrooms that are f…

Thank you so much for this thoughtful response.
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