The lost promise of LSD

“Albert Hofmann, who died last week at the age of 102, lived just long enough to see scientific research into the therapeutic value of LSD get started up again. For the first time since the 1960s, the tremendous potential of this powerful tool is being examined scientifically for therapeutic use.

Millions of people have experienced transcendence through LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide). The creative energy unleashed by Mr. Hofmann’s chemical catalyst has had a tremendous impact on our world.

Acid’s effect on Western culture was profound, although most of the other associated elements were already in place. The peace movement, ecology, civil rights, changing gender roles and rock and roll – all of these things were well under way by the time LSD escaped the laboratory and hit the streets. There was already a counter-cultural drug scene; Allen Ginsberg had already written Howl. By 1962, when recreational or “street” acid became available in North America, psychedelic research was already causing chaos within the ivory tower.”

Full Story

Posted on May 15, 12:10 pm by treb0r

commenting closed for this article