Brain on LSD
Few decades ago, several institutions did research on LSD (that was before it was declared illegal). This particular drug has been of interest to me lately, though I would never take it myself. Accoarding to wikipedia and several other sources it isint poisonous, and its practically impossible to get yourself killed by it (there are only few known occurences). It dosent cause addiction and no 'high'. Instead, if changes the users perspection of the world, that have been descripted as religious. Wikipedia claims that the wall that separates "me" from "all" vanishes, which gives new perspective on the person himself. It might also give bursts of creativity, and several scientists and technologists (and of course, musicans) have admitted in using it (Beatles, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates). It is said that user finds new insight on himself and comes to know himself better. The insight dosent vanish but stays with you the rest of your life; making you a totally new person.
Before this starts to sound too "everybody go tipping on mushrooms!" I also point out that while not causing deaths, some people see under acid things that "should never be seen". They see familiar things in a new way, but instead of insightful "aha!" experience, they see monsters and spooks. After LSD trip, you still see those monsters - for the rest of your life. Apparently madhouses are full of these guys... I suppose its like that thingy Weatherwax did in one of the Witch-books; you see what you really are like, and that might make you a better person or break your mental backbone..
Anyway, in 50s some research team put artist in acid and asked him to draw. Pretty interesting stuff.
I should have maybe blogged this somewhere else.
Before this starts to sound too "everybody go tipping on mushrooms!" I also point out that while not causing deaths, some people see under acid things that "should never be seen". They see familiar things in a new way, but instead of insightful "aha!" experience, they see monsters and spooks. After LSD trip, you still see those monsters - for the rest of your life. Apparently madhouses are full of these guys... I suppose its like that thingy Weatherwax did in one of the Witch-books; you see what you really are like, and that might make you a better person or break your mental backbone..
Anyway, in 50s some research team put artist in acid and asked him to draw. Pretty interesting stuff.
I should have maybe blogged this somewhere else.