Albert Hoffman and LSD
LSD May Have Been One of the Bigger Medical Brearkthrouth's in the 20th
Century. It Did Seem to Help Sgt. Pepper.
Albert Hofmann (b.1/11/1906 – d.4/29/2008) died this week. He was a Swiss
scientist best known forhaving been the first to discover, actuallyinjest and
describe the psychedelic effects of Lysergic AcidDiethylamide (LSD).
Hofmann was born in the quiet town ofBaden Switzerland, and studied chemistry
at the Univ. of Zurich. Hismain interest was the chemistry of plants and
animals, and he laterconducted important research regarding the chemical
structure of thecommon animal substance chitin for which he received his Ph.D.
Hofmannjoined the pharmaceutical-chemical department of Sandoz Laboratories(now
Novartis). He began studying the fungus ergot as part of a programto purify and
synthesize active constituents for use aspharmaceuticals. While researching
lysergic acid derivatives, Hofmannfirst synthesized LSD-25 in 1938. It was set
aside for five years,until April 16, 1943, when Hofmann decided to take another
look at it.While re-synthesizing LSD, he accidentally absorbed a small
quantitythrough his fingertips and discovered its powerful effects before
hisbicycle ride home. Three days later, Hofmann deliberately consumed
250micrograms of LSD. This was followed by a series of
self-experimentsconducted by Hofmann and his colleagues. He first wrote about
theseexperiments on April 22 of that year.
BRAIN/NEUROLOGIC FUNCTION:There are two main neurotransmitters in the brain;
Serotonin andDopamine. Interestingly, LSD is similar in chemical structure
toSerotonin and in effect, acts as a neurotransmitter once inside thebrain.
Oddly, it specifically acts as a Serotonin blocker and reactsmore highly with
Dopamine receptors in the brain. LSD, once absorbedfiltrates out of the blood
quickly and tends to deposit directly intothe midbrain. The end result of all
of this is Hyperactivity andsimulated pyschosis. Often used as a therapeutic
remedy, medicine istaking a longer more detailed look at this often demonized
drug. It isin this arena, psycho therapy, that LSD may still find a purpose.
EFFECTS:LSD has numerous measurable effects on the brain. It produces
slightchanges in the EEG, usually with decreased amplitude and
increasedfrequency of brainwaves (Stafford 1992). Generally there is also
adecrease in the alpha rhythm, though in some cases however, there is
anincrease. LSD causes many chemical changes within the brain, most ofthem in
the midbrain, which regulates awareness and modulates emotionalresponsiveness.
Recent attention has focused on substantialconcentrations of LSD found in the
brainstem and in the dopaminereceptor system, both responsible for more complex
experiences. Under
the influence of LSD, data processing in the brain's cerebral cortex
was shifted, from the more analytical left hemisphere to the
visuo-spatial right hemisphere. This may explain how apsychedelic like LSD
increases the "scope" of the mind, bringsartistic, creative, rhythmic and
problem solving abilities to the foreand evokes phenomena that Freud referred
to as manifestations of "theunconscious." Increases in mental power may also be
attributed to theactivation of spatial centers. LSD and other psychedelics
could beconsidered deliberate and unconscious agents of the right lobe in
thissense.
There is a peculiar effect of LSD on thetransmission of sensory impulses to the
brain, which has long beendemonstrated in laboratory experiments on sensory
response of animalsunder the influence of LSD (Leicht 1996). Electrical
measurements alongthe optic nerve show that an intensified impulse is received
from theretina, due to changes in the receptivity of the visual system.
Theelectrical impulses produced continue to increase under LSD influenceand to
become more distorted as they travel along the optic pathway tothe brain. This
is an indication that LSD has a unique physiologicaleffect on the geniculate
body and the optic radiation pathway of thevisual system. The character of the
impulses received and transmittedby one organ are found to be affected by the
impulses to the other.Sights reaching the brain from the eye are changed by
sounds, andsounds are changed by what the eye apparently sees. LSD users may
"see" music, "hear" color, and "feel" visual
images. These mixed messages to the brain exhibit the phenomenon called in
psychology commonly called synesthesia.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS: Thereare many psychological effects of LSD on the mind
includinghallucinations, depersonalization, reliving of repressed memories,
moodswings, euphoria, megalomania, schizophrenic-like states,
reduced"defenses," and subjectivity to the "power of suggestion."
Thepsychological effects of LSD may be generalized by three categories:changes
in sensation and perception; emotionality; effects on thinking.The function of
perceiving, organizing, and interpreting senseimpressions from outside the body
as they reach the brain can beseverely affected by the drug. There is a
loosening of the normalboundaries of perception, resulting in possible
intensification ofcolors, outlines of objects may begin to waver, and ordinary
objectsmay appear luminous. Hallucinations, false sensory perception without
abasis in external reality, are rare with LSD. More common
arepseudohallucinations, where the individual may see something but at thesame
time know
that his perception doesn't have a basis in externalreality. LSD affects the
stability and "hold" that a person has on theworld.
COGNITIVE: Cognitive effectsof LSD include disturbed thought processes,
difficulty expressingthoughts, impairment of reasoning, and impairment of
memory. The concept of time may become distorted and time may even appear to
stand still.
BEATLES:Against this backdrop, the Beatles, mainly Lennon, began "tripping"
onLSD ( or acid for short) regularly during the making of "Revolver" and "Sgt.
Pepper." "Listen to the Color of Your Dreams" Lennon urged in"Tomorrow Never
Knows," the final track on "Revolver." Yes, listen tothose colors, see the
music, feel the images. All possible whiletripping on acid. There is little
doubt among pundits, critics andfans, that LSD played a prominent role in the
psychedelic overtones tomuch of the Beatles "mid" period that segue'd right
into the full blown"Sgt. Pepper/Magical Mystery Tour" psychedlia of 1967. It
seemed togive the Beatles new insights for awhile, in their
artisticexpressions. McCartney was the last to take LSD and the first to
condemthe drug famously saying, "It (LSD) may open a few doors but it's notthe
answer." The band was constantly seeking the secret to life andthe final
answer that would lead to ever higher consciousness. Thus,after
the acid experiments of 1966 through 1967, their quest foranswers lead them to
the Maharishi, which is another story for anothertime.
John Lennon said in 1970 about George Harrison, "Iwouldn't have minded being
George around people like Paul and me, thesilent partner . . ." meaning, think
what anyone, includng George couldhave learned around the great
Lennon/McCartney partnership. But whatGeorge, in particular wanted, Lennon and
McCartney couldn't teach him.It was spirtitual enlightenment through
meditation. They all found whatthey wanted eventually and it wasn't through
acid or the Maharishi; itwas their inner selves. We'll chat more about this
in later blogs.
John Haberstroh (Bassist for Beatle Tracks)
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