LSD HISTORY
Many of us have heard the story of how lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) had first been synthesized — Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann and his infamous bicycle day which we now celebrate on the 19th of every April — but few of us have come to appreciate LSD’s significant influence on countless areas of our socio-political culture.
Acid, as it’s become colloquially regarded, has a long and complex history, infusing North American culture with the same kinds of effects it seems to produce in the mind of its consumer: intensified thoughts and perceptions, expanded cognitive activity, existential contemplation.
DOSAGE & EXPERIENCE
Due to its extreme potency, LSD is considered to be rather unpredictable in intensity, as even the most miniscule of dosage variations can induce considerably different trips; combined with the setting of an experience and a number of other variables (i.e. purpose, frame of mind), LSD is considered an extremely versatile psychedelic, illuminating the fact that hallucinogens should always be perceived as extremely subjective commodities.
On the lower end of the scale, whereby a consumer can experience a mild or threshold experience, 10ug to 50ug will often prompt some level of change to sensory perception and a very subtle sense of mood elevation, along with an array of cognitive effects that can be likened to a strong cup of coffee. A microdose range will typically fall somewhere between 15ug to 35ug and is often associated with boosts to mental efficacy, increased creativity, improved cognitive function and heightened focus.
On the moderate range of the scale, at about 50ug to 200ug, a more substantial experience can be felt whereby hallucinations will occur alongside a distortion of sensory perceptions, time, and emotion. Ego-dissolution, identity contemplation, existential commiseration are all normal happenstance, with effects peaking within 1-2 hours and lasting 4-8 hours in total.
On the higher end of the scale of 200ug +, experiences can vary depending on tolerance, setting, and expectation, through very strong hallucinations are common, alongside substantial distortions of time, sensory experience, auditory perception and vision. Rationality and self-identity is usually compromised, as is a sense of control. For those unfamiliar with psychedelics, panic may occur during this temporal disassociation with reality. Some level of psychosis (not necessarily unpleasant) will be induced during the intense period that can last up to 12 hours.
LSD POP CULTURE
Since its initial synthesis in 1938, LSD has been one of the most popular psychedelics on the scene, seeing its popularity exponentiated through its dual-headed use as both a nefarious military weapon and a creative inspiration to beatnik artists.
Today, Hollywood has no hard time creating fictional stories based on non-fictional circumstances relating to the employment of LSD throughout the mid 21st century, as many blockbuster hits make reference to initiatives such as MKUltra and Operation Paperclip.
Pharmacology
Upon ingestion, LSD acts as a serotonin receptor activator, disrupting the regulation of serotonin levels (and increasing them) in the brain. LSD will mostly combine with the receptors associated with cognitive function within the pre-frontal cortex – that which regulates decision making and behaviour, affecting the brains processing ability. Many will consider this to improve mental function and thus utilize LSD as a tool towards mental optimization.
While the comprehensive pharmacology of LSD is not yet fully understood due to the inherent complexity of its mechanisms of action, LSD is well tolerated by the physiology of the brain, allowing psychological reactions to be relatively controllable.
Taking LSD was a profound experience, one of the most important things in my life. LSD shows you that there’s another side to the coin, and you can’t remember it when it wears off, but you know it. It reinforced my sense of what was important — creating great things instead of making money, putting things back into the stream of history and of human consciousness as much as I could.
I’VE NEVER MET ANYBODY WHO’S HAD A FLASHBACK IN MY LIFE AND I TOOK MILLIONS OF TRIPS IN THE SIXTIES, AND I’VE NEVER MET ANYBODY WHO HAD ANY PROBLEM. I’VE HAD BAD TRIPS, BUT I’VE HAD BAD TRIPS IN REAL LIFE. I’VE HAD A BAD TRIP ON A JOINT. I CAN GET PARANOID JUST SITTING IN A RESTAURANT; I DON’T HAVE TO TAKE ANYTHING.