Download On October 27, 1906, a child by the name of Albert Hofmann was

On October 27, 1906, a child by the name of Albert Hofmann was
born(Albert, 1). This child would grow up to change the world forever. His research
would create of subcultures of both the 1970’s and 1990’s. His
discoveries would cause both grief and delight. His work in pharmacology brought the
world one of the most terrifying discoveries of the 20th century, LSD
It was a prosaic day in July, 1938 when Swiss chemist, Albert Hofmann,
first discovered Lysergic Acid Diethylamide(LSD). He was hoping to discover a new
circulatory and respiratory stimulant, when he stumbled upon one of the
world’s most horrifying man-made substances; however, when this
phenomenon was first tested it had no effects on the lab animals, therefore its study was
discontinued.
LSD’s study was revived in 1943, when research indicated it
could potentially be used as treatment for schizophrenia, due to its similarity in structure
to Nicatamide, a chemical found in the human brain, which directly affects the
experiences of a Schizophrenic (DEA,1). On April 16, 1943, while Dr. Hofmann was
measuring a fresh quantity of LSD, he accidentally dosed himself and was overcome with
confusion. He was then obligated to leave work due to “a sensation of mild
dizziness” and “extreme activity of
imagination.”(Discovery, 2) On April 19, 1943, at exactly 4:20 pm, Dr.
Albert Hofmann ingested 0.25 mg. of liquid LSD and journeyed on the first intentional
“acid trip.”
In 1947, Dr. Hofmann’s employers, Sandoz Laboratories,
began marketing LSD in Europe. It was introduced into the United States a year later.
They advertised it “as a cure for everything from schizophrenia to criminal
behavior, ‘sexual perversions,’ and
alcoholism.”(Henderson/Glass, 40) Sandoz Laboratories urged many doctors
to experiment with LSD to gain further knowledge of experiences which may occur to a
Schizophrenic.
The effects of LSD are completely unpredictable. The user usually
experiences wild mood swings and the sensation of feeling multiple emotions at once.
Colors seem more intense and objects appear to move in an almost stroboscopic manner.
It has also been known for the user to feel as though they are seeing sounds and hearing
colors. If a large enough dose is taken, the drug may produce perceptual delusions and
hallucinations.
Dr. Hofmann wrote about his first “trip”:
“I had great difficulty in speaking coherently. My field of vision
swayed before me, and objects appeared distorted like images in curved mirrors. I had
the impression of being unable to move…The following were the most
outstanding symptoms: vertigo, visual disturbances. The faces around me appeared as
grotesque colored masks. Moderate unrest alternating with paralysis, intermittent heavy
feeling in the head, limbs, and the entire body as if they were filled with
lead… I sho *P
Keywords:
october child name albert hofmann born albert this child would grow change world
forever research would create subcultures both discoveries would cause both grief delight
work pharmacology brought world most terrifying discoveries century prosaic july when
swiss chemist albert hofmann first discovered lysergic acid diethylamide hoping discover
circulatory respiratory stimulant when stumbled upon world most horrifying made
substances however when this phenomenon first tested effects animals therefore study
discontinued study revived research indicated could potentially used treatment
schizophrenia similarity structure nicatamide chemical found human brain which directly
affects experiences schizophrenic april while hofmann measuring fresh quantity
accidentally dosed himself overcome with confusion then obligated leave work sensation
mild dizziness extreme activity imagination discovery april exactly ingested liquid
journeyed first intentional acid trip employers sandoz laboratories began marketing
europe introduced into united states year later they advertised cure everything from
schizophrenia criminal behavior sexual perversions alcoholism henderson glass sandoz
laboratories urged many doctors experiment with gain further knowledge experiences
which occur schizophrenic effects completely unpredictable user usually experiences
wild mood swings sensation feeling multiple emotions once colors seem more intense
objects appear move almost stroboscopic manner also been known user feel though they
seeing sounds hearing colors large enough dose taken drug produce perceptual delusions
hallucinations wrote about trip great difficulty speaking coherently field vision swayed
before objects appeared distorted like images curved mirrors impression being unable
move following were most outstanding symptoms vertigo visual disturbances faces
around appeared grotesque colored masks moderate unrest alternating with paralysis
intermittent heavy feeling head limbs entire body they were filled lead
Keywords General:
Essay, essays, termpaper, term paper, termpapers, term papers, book reports, study,
college, thesis, dessertation, test answers, free research, book research, study help,
download essay, download term papers