It's the summer of 1966 and scientists from Stanford, Hewlett-Packard, and elsewhere have arrived at the International
Foundation for Advanced Study (IFAS) in Menlo Park CA. The volunteers have each agreed to take a somewhat low dose
of legal LSD, and attempt to solve "three highly technical work problems" that they've been unable to solve for at least a
few months. The researchers at IFAS are testing to see if lsd can increase cognitive performance and creative thinking.
At 9:30 am, the scientists were dosed with 100 micro grams of lsd, given eye shades and headphones, and asked to lay back on
the comfortable furniture until it had fully kicked in. Around 10am, in the main office next door, a registered letter had
arrived. The letter, from the United States FDA, ordered IFAS to stop administering lsd immediately. IFAS was not the only
institution that received that letter that day. These would be the last 3 scientists, of 26, IFAS had dosed in the previous
months. Although the research was halted before being completed, here is some of the data that was gathered. Of the 26
participants, some included an electronics engineer, a furniture derringer, a commercial artist, and a theoretical mathematician. The studies involved participants with jobs involving hard science to test the effects of lsd on visual and analytical thinking. Some participants said their mind had become one with the universe. Each one of the
participants, after the effects had worn off, remained firm in the face that lsd had absolutely helped them solve their complex problems. Shortly after the experiences some participants went on to release wildly accepted innovations, such as a mathematical theorem for NOR gate circuits, a linear electron accelerator beam-steering device, a technical improvement of the magnetic tape recorder, new space probe experiments, a conceptual model of a photon, and more!
So what is LSD? Lysergic Acid Diethylamide is a psychedelic drug that was first synthesized by Albert Hoffman in 1938.
Lsd is synthesized from ergotamine, a chemical from the fungus erogot. Hoffman was a chemist for Sandoz laboratories and
was working on introducing new pharmaceuticals to the market. In 1943, after sitting on a shelf for over 5 years,
Hoffman decided to reexamine LSD. When re synthesizing it, Hoffman accidentally ingested a small dose and noticed the
effects it gave him. Three days later on April 19th 1943, Hoffman ingested 250 micro grams of LSD. April 19th is now known
world wide as Bicycle Day, because Hoffman initially felt the effects on the lsd as he rode his bike home. Nearly 70 years
later in a speech Hoffman gave on his 100th birthday he said "LSD gave me an inner joy, an open mindedness, a gratefulness,
open eyes and an internal sensitivity for the miracles of creation. I think that in human evolution it has never been as
necessary to have this substance. It is a tool to turn us into what we are supposed to be." A lot of other great minds
have also had wonderful things to say about this magical substance. Steve jobs said LSD was "one of the two or three
most important things I have done in my life". Other notable people who have publicly praised their person use of LSD
include Jack Nicholson, Angelina Jolie, Cary Grant, Shia Labeouf, Joe Rogan, Aldous Huxley
and more!
Despite being a schedule 1 drug, there has been a huge resurgence in the past 10 years of psychedelics for both
recreational and medicinal use. LSD has shown to be non addictive, and far safer than legal drugs like alcohol or tobacco.
Recent studies from John Hopkins University have also shown that just a singe dose of psychedelic mushrooms can treat
depression and anxiety better than current pharmaceuticals on the market, and I think one day soon, we will see it legal
in the United States. My personal use of psychedelics have been some of the most meaningful and insightful times I've ever of
my life. It has allowed me to open my mind in different ways and see the world in a whole new way.
What are your thoughts? Do you use psychedelics? Have they helped you?