LSD turns 69 today!

“"Hallucinogenic effects of LSD discovered" was the headline in my daily mailing from the History Channel. The drug changed culture and politics - how many record albums and movies would not be here without LSD? How many acid casualties would have had more to contribute without it?

From the page:

"In Basel, Switzerland, Albert Hoffman, a Swiss chemist working at the Sandoz pharmaceutical research laboratory, accidentally consumes LSD-25, a synthetic drug he had created in 1938 as part of his research into the medicinal value of lysergic acid compounds. After taking the drug, formally known as lysergic acid diethylamide, Dr. Hoffman was disturbed by unusual sensations and hallucinations. In his notes, he related the experience:

"Last Friday, April 16, 1943, I was forced to interrupt my work in the laboratory in the middle of the afternoon and proceed home, being affected by a remarkable restlessness, combined with a slight dizziness. At home I lay down and sank into a not unpleasant, intoxicated-like condition characterized by an extremely stimulated imagination. In a dreamlike state, with eyes closed (I found the daylight to be unpleasantly glaring), I perceived an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors. After some two hours this condition faded away."

After intentionally taking the drug again to confirm that it had caused this strange physical and mental state, Dr. Hoffman published a report announcing his discovery, and so LSD made its entry into the world as a hallucinogenic drug. Widespread use of the so-called "mind-expanding" drug did not begin until the 1960s, when counterculture figures such as Albert M. Hubbard, Timothy Leary, and Ken Kesey publicly expounded on the benefits of using LSD as a recreational drug. The manufacture, sale, possession, and use of LSD, known to cause negative reactions in some of those who take it, were made illegal in the United States in 1965."

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hallucinogenic-effects-of-lsd-discovered”

“In noting LSD's birthday, please list your favorite acid tinged song, album, book, person or whatever?

Here's one I loved (wore out the grooves on the LP years decades ago):


last edited: 4/16/12 7:11:31 AM”

“Here's another one I loved, though it had two crappy attempts at hit singles on it:


last edited: 4/16/12 7:10:38 AM”

“Wow, Man, LOOK at the COLORS!.........”

“"I remember watching the colors bleed off a painting and flow across the wall, merging with the music, as my sense of self disintegrated along with reality, congealing into a bubble, drifting off among the endless multitude of the multiverse, my dissociated self in orbit with all existence around a great central light." - anonymous”

“No Acid Birthday Celebration would be complete without viewing this:

http://www.magpictures.com/magictrip/”

“I'd like to see that, Chili. Thanks...

Might as well mention this while on point: I did an interview with one of Kesey's buddies, Paul Krassner. I am currently getting it ready for airing this coming weekend. It will air on 99.5 FM WBAI in New York City and stream at www.wbai.org between 1 and 3 AM on Sunday morning, April 22nd. Paul actually did an acid trip with Groucho Marx, of all people. I asked him about this experience and he tells a good story with it, among other great material that he gave me.

I am mixing it up with some of Paul's favorite music of the times and promises to be a very good show. It can also be heard on the WBAI archives, which is linked on the home page of their website. The program is called Morning Dew. Thanks.....


Stu”

“Far out!

(both Stu's story and LSD Bday!)”

“I'm experienced.”

“Have you ever been?”

“Groucho Stoned?”

“Yes, it was because he was slated to play a part in an Otto Preminger movvie called 'Skidoo.' Groucho plays a mobster named God and Jackie Gleason stars as a former hitman. Then, there's some sort of plot to lace a prison water system with LSD or some idea of that nature. It's an acid propaganda movie. So, Groucho asked Paul if he would get him some "unadulterated" acid. I believe he got it from Owsley and Groucho asked him to trip with him. Interesting story follows...”

“Just remember.....DONT EAT THE BROWN ACID, MAN”

“Never liked the stuff. Always made me feel like some sort of test tube experiment. The only good time I had was when I went to a baseball game. That was an interesting experience. I kept drinking beer and didn't feel like I was drunk. My BAC had to be in the .40s. =)”