April 30, 2008
Dr. Albert Hofmann, R.I.P.
It is with sadness (but not great sadness) that I note the passing of Dr. Albert Hofmann, who died Monday at the age of 102.
If Gary Gygax was an enormous influence on the first 18 years of my life, it’s quite probable then that Dr. Hofmann was an even bigger influence on the years after the first 18. For better or for worse, there’s no doubt that my life would have taken a radically different path had Dr. Hofmann not discovered LSD in 1938.
In my opinion, there’s almost nothing that will change how one perceives the world more radically and profoundly than a person’s very first experience with LSD. My taste in music, literature and art shifted, literally, overnight. Of course, it’s not for everyone. People with even a hint of schizophrenia in their family should stay far, far away. That said, it can be an amazingly powerful tool for self-exploration. It can also be a one-way ticket to 8-12 hours of self-loathing.
I was always tickled that Dr. Hofmann, having discovered and ingested LSD on his famous bike ride, was an advocate of it’s use for the rest of his life. I am also tickled that the man who discovered this “dangerous drug” lived to the ripe old age of 102. The fact is, LSD is not toxic, and is only detectable in the bloodstream for about an hour after ingestion. It’s also not addictive, although it can be abused (there’s no physical dependency, and even psychological dependency is extremely rare). That’s not to say that people don’t stupid things on acid, like think that they can fly and then go jump off a building. However, people think they can drive just fine after a few drinks too, and we see the consequences of that every single day.
In the obit linked to above, the author states: “It was…a drug…demonised by the establishment, which saw it as a catalyst for major social change.” They were certainly right about that. In fact, you can pretty much boil down folks into two types: those who have taken acid, and those who have not. If LSD were allowed to be used in the therapeutic setting, along with MDMA and other psychedelics, I believe our society would look very different. I’m not advocating of course, that everyone try acid, and am certainly not in favor of anyone trying it before they’re, say, 17-18 years old. That said, I do think it should be legal, although I have no expectation that it will be in my lifetime.
So, Dr. Hofmann, from the depths of my soul, I give you thanks and hope you’re finding the other side just as fascinating as this one was.
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
Posted by wally at April 30, 2008 11:39 AM | TrackBack | Leave Comments at LiveJournal | Read Comments at LiveJournal