"turn on, tune in, drop out" : the most exhaustive primer on LSD you would ever read.
Disclaimer : This article has tons of resources to make you curious about LSD. That does not mean, you should experiment with it. DO NOT CONSUME DRUGS.
Visit, any such dusk-to-dawn party places in North Goa, specially Anjuna-Vagator-Chapora belt; and it is invariably associated with drugs use.That's why these parties get famous.The question to ask is how can a sane person would be willing to shell out almost Rs.3,000/- as entry fees; in order to dance whole night.
Also, how can an un-intoxicated person can dance whole night or party whole night?
This week in Goa has been all about the raids conducted by Goa Police, at some of the most notorious locations,, known not only for all-night or dusk-to-dawn parties;but loud music which has been a constant source of annoyance for the local residents, who have been complaining since decades, but to no avail.
Goa Police hand-in-gloves with all these establishments, always turned a blind eye, unless and until, The High Court Of Bombay made , The Director General of Police (DGP Goa) personally responsible for any further "noise pollution" which were in blatant contravention of Honourable Courts's order.
The original drug of Goa has been LSD, as it is commonly known; unless and until you discount Marijuana. Marijuana is while consumed in it's natural form; LSD has to be processed, even though it occurs in nature. So, LSD qualifies for a drug, more potently compared to Marijuana.
So, let's talk about LSD.
LSD like in almost all places, was brought by Hippie or Counter-Culture revolution occurring in 1960s and 1970s; and when Hippies started arriving in Goa, which was then a paradise, compared to now; this was the perfect place to experiment with it.
Hippie culture was a diverse and multifaceted phenomenon that encompassed a wide range of values, beliefs, and practices, including a rejection of mainstream culture and social norms, a focus on communal living and shared resources, an emphasis on peace and love, and an interest in spirituality and alternative forms of consciousness.
Many individuals who participated in hippie culture did not use LSD or other psychedelics, and instead relied on other means of exploring alternative states of consciousness, such as meditation, yoga, or various forms of spiritual practice. Furthermore, the values and beliefs of hippie culture continue to influence contemporary movements and subcultures, such as the environmental and social justice movements.
So while LSD was certainly an important part of the counter-cultural movement of the 1960s and 1970s, it is not necessary to use LSD in order to experience or appreciate hippie culture or its values.
LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is a powerful hallucinogenic drug that was first synthesized in 1938 by a Swiss chemist named Albert Hofmann. For Hofmann, it was an accidental discovery. LSD is known for its ability to produce profound changes in perception, mood, and thought, often leading to intense spiritual or mystical experiences.
Chemically, it is a complex organic molecule that contains carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms. Its chemical formula is C20H25N3O.
LSD is derived from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. The chemical structure of LSD is similar to a neurotransmitter called serotonin, which plays a role in regulating mood, perception, and other physiological processes in the brain.
LSD is a potent drug, with effects on the brain and body that can last for several hours. It is typically ingested orally, and is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, where it travels to the brain and binds to serotonin receptors. The exact mechanism by which LSD produces its hallucinogenic effects is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve changes in the activity of neurons in the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in higher cognitive functions such as perception, thought, and consciousness.
The way this drug works is by altering the way the brain processes information, specifically affecting the neurotransmitter serotonin. LSD binds to serotonin receptors, causing changes in the way the brain perceives and processes sensory information.
The effects of LSD can vary depending on the individual's mood, environment, and dosage. Generally, the effects include altered thinking and perception, intense sensory experiences, and changes in mood. Users may experience vivid hallucinations, time distortion, and a sense of unity or inter-connectedness with the universe.
Higher doses of LSD can result in more intense effects, including a loss of sense of self and extreme psychedelic experiences. However, higher doses also increase the risk of experiencing negative side effects such as paranoia, anxiety, and delusions.
The notable thing is that LSD is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, meaning that it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use.Even though, we will find out later, that it was manufactured by Sandoz (Now Novartis).
LSD typically comes in the form of a small, paper square, called a "tab," that is placed under the tongue or in the cheek to be absorbed. However, there are also other forms of LSD that can be found on the black market. These include:
Liquid LSD: A clear or brown liquid that is dropped onto blotter paper or other materials for consumption.
LSD capsules: These are capsules that contain LSD in powdered or liquid form.
Microdots: Small pills that contain a tiny amount of LSD.
Gel tabs: These are small, translucent squares that contain a dose of LSD within a gelatin-like substance.
The way LSD was discovered is much more profound,than the way it works. Actually, if not for an accident, it's actual effects would never have been found, but as they say, nature has it's ways and Universe conspires.
Albert Hofmann discovered LSD in 1938 while working as a chemist for the Swiss pharmaceutical company Sandoz (now Novartis). At the time, Hofmann was searching for new drugs that could stimulate circulation and respiration, and he was interested in the properties of ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains and can cause hallucinations, among other symptoms.
Hofmann synthesized LSD-25, the 25th compound in a series of lysergic acid derivatives, in an attempt to create a new circulatory and respiratory stimulant. However, he accidentally ingested a small amount of the compound and experienced vivid, kaleidoscopic hallucinations, as well as a sense of euphoria and altered perception.
Curious about the effects of the drug, Hofmann intentionally ingested a larger dose of LSD a few days later and experienced a more intense and prolonged psychedelic experience, including a loss of his sense of self and a feeling of merging with the natural world. This experience convinced him that he had discovered a new class of psychoactive substances, which he called "psychotomimetic" (meaning "mimicking psychosis").
LSD rose to prominence in the 1960s primarily due to its association with the countercultural movement and the widespread use of the drug by young people, artists, and intellectuals. The drug was seen as a way to explore altered states of consciousness, transcend social norms and expectations, and experience a greater sense of connection to others and the natural world.
The rise of LSD in the 1960s was also facilitated by a growing interest in psychoactive drugs among scientists and researchers, who were exploring the therapeutic potential of these substances for treating mental illness and enhancing creativity.
In addition, LSD was widely promoted by figures such as Timothy Leary, a psychologist and counter-cultural icon who popularized the phrase "turn on, tune in, drop out" as a call to embrace psychedelic experience and reject mainstream values and institutions. Leary and other proponents of LSD saw the drug as a tool for personal and spiritual exploration, as well as a means of social and political transformation.Sandoz began producing LSD for use in scientific research, and by the 1950s and 1960s, the drug had become widely used in psychiatry and psychotherapy, as well as in scientific and artistic circles. However, as the use of LSD and other psychedelics became more associated with counter-cultural movements in the 1960s, Sandoz stopped manufacturing and distributing the drug, and it was eventually made illegal in most countries.
When the world changed on April 19th, 1943. IT would be after 5 Years actually of Homann's discovery of LSD.
The "bicycle ride" : On April 19, 1943, when the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann accidentally ingested a small amount of LSD. Hofmann had been working with the compound in his laboratory at the pharmaceutical company Sandoz, and had accidentally absorbed some of the drug through his skin.
As he began to feel the effects of the drug, Hofmann became increasingly disoriented and decided to leave the laboratory and go home. He later described his experience during the bicycle ride in a book called "LSD: My Problem Child."
During the ride, Hofmann experienced a range of intense, hallucinatory effects, including heightened colors and perceptions, as well as a sense of merging with nature and the universe. He also experienced anxiety and fear, and at one point believed he had died.
Initially, LSD was only available through prescription from a psychiatrist or other medical professional, and was primarily used in clinical settings for therapeutic purposes. However, in the early 1960s, LSD began to be produced illegally and distributed outside of the medical and scientific communities.
The first illegal laboratories producing LSD were set up by a group of chemists known as the "Sunshine Family" who were associated with the Merry Pranksters, a group of counter-cultural figures led by author Ken Kesey. The Sunshine Family produced LSD using a relatively simple process that could be carried out in a small lab or even a kitchen.
As the popularity of LSD grew among the counter-cultural movement, other underground chemists began producing the drug as well, and it became more widely available through the illicit drug trade. The quality and purity of illegal LSD varied widely, and many users reported experiencing negative or even dangerous effects from taking the drug.
Some of the most famous people who have used LSD include:
Albert Hofmann: The Swiss chemist who discovered LSD and was the first person to intentionally ingest the drug.
Timothy Leary: An American psychologist and writer who became an influential advocate for the use of LSD and other psychedelics in the 1960s counterculture.
Aldous Huxley: An English writer who experimented with LSD and wrote about his experiences in his book "The Doors of Perception."
Steve Jobs: The late co-founder of Apple Inc. credited his experience with LSD as being "one of the two or three most important things" he had done in his life.
Jimi Hendrix: The legendary guitarist and singer-songwriter reportedly used LSD and other psychedelic drugs, and was known for incorporating psychedelic themes into his music.
Cary Grant: The famous Hollywood actor was introduced to LSD by his therapist, and later became an advocate for its use in psychotherapy.
The most famous of them all, is obviously the legendary and the one & only Steve Jobs.
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, publicly acknowledged his use of LSD and other psychedelic drugs during his younger years. Jobs spoke openly about his experiences with LSD in interviews and biographies, and credited his use of the drug with sparking his creativity and helping to shape his vision for the future of technology.
If you are interested in reading more and are book worm, there are a lot of good books to refer to, covering topics ranging from the history of the drug and its cultural impact to scientific research on its effects and therapeutic potential. Here are some notable examples:
"LSD: My Problem Child" by Albert Hofmann: This book, written by the chemist who discovered LSD, provides an autobiographical account of Hofmann's discovery of the drug and his experiences with it.
"The Doors of Perception" by Aldous Huxley: This classic book, written by the author of "Brave New World," chronicles Huxley's experiences with mescaline (a psychedelic similar to LSD) and provides a philosophical and cultural exploration of the use of psychedelics.
"The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" by Tom Wolfe: This book follows author Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters as they embark on a cross-country journey in a psychedelic school bus, experimenting with LSD and other drugs along the way.
"Acid Dreams: The Complete Social History of LSD: The CIA, the Sixties, and Beyond" by Martin A. Lee and Bruce Shlain: This book explores the history of LSD, from its early use in psychotherapy to its association with countercultural movements and its eventual criminalization, and includes discussion of government involvement in the drug's distribution and use.
"How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence" by Michael Pollan: This recent book, written by a journalist and author, explores the recent resurgence of interest in the therapeutic potential of LSD and other psychedelics, and includes interviews with researchers, clinicians, and individuals who have used psychedelics in controlled settings.
"The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead" by Timothy Leary, Ralph Metzner, and Richard Alpert: This book, written by three prominent figures in the early psychedelic movement, provides a guide for using LSD and other psychedelics as a tool for spiritual exploration and personal transformation.
"The Harvard Psychedelic Club: How Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, Huston Smith, and Andrew Weil Killed the Fifties and Ushered in a New Age for America" by Don Lattin: This book explores the lives and work of four individuals who played a significant role in the early psychedelic movement and its impact on American culture.
"The Brotherhood of Eternal Love: From Flower Power to Hippie Mafia" by Stewart Tendler and David May: This book provides an account of the Brotherhood of Eternal Love, a group that was involved in the production and distribution of LSD and other drugs in the 1960s and 1970s.
"The Haight-Ashbury: A History" by Charles Perry: This book provides a history of the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood in San Francisco, which became a hub of counter-cultural activity in the 1960s and was closely associated with the use of LSD and other drugs.
"The Joyous Cosmology: Adventures in the Chemistry of Consciousness" by Alan Watts: This book, written by a philosopher and writer, provides a personal account of Watts' experiences with LSD and other psychedelics, and includes reflections on their spiritual and philosophical significance.
Disclaimer : The author is only curious about LSD and has never indulged in consumption of any psychotropic substances or drugs. This is not an invitation to try LSD. Steve Jobs, though, might not agree with it.