In Michael Brooks “Secret Anarchy of Science”, he relates how Ludwig Feuerbach, known for writing down “Der Mench ist, was er isst”, was essentially right when he related that Science has no method, and it is just a bunch of people trying things anyway possible. Brooks then, in his post- modern analysis, posits that mind-altering drugs are useful in precipitating that “mental flash” of insight, that strangely untried juxtaposition. He then related how many researchers at Berkeley were taking LSD to assist them in mental explorations.It is amazing, and alarming, how many express a desire to experiment. They relate “LSD has killed fewer people than prescription drugs”. “ They ought to legalize this!” Their response is common shtick for the use of prohibited substances.
Besides helping Cary Grant with his sexual deviancy, and spreading the idea of LSD being transformative, there are also reports of damaged minds- burned brains locked in an autistic stupor. Seeing researchers wrapped up into fetal balls, or jumping out of windows, does help one to believe that the mind is freed from normal strictures.
However, LSD causes alterations of synaptic functions the mind transcribes into sensations. Since the brain function is altered, this alters one’s perception and emotions in unpredictable ways, to the point of inducing severe trauma. As one lady related to me: “Anyone who uses LSD, doesn’t know how to use their brains.”
For me, I shall stick to citrus: oranges and mind altering papayas. I shall observe nature, staring into a campfire, sunsets and sunrises and stellar asterisms. Maybe I'll take a little Vitamin D in these dark winter months.
