Psychedelic Predictions

Erin Shaw
MDMA large.jpg

Former Dow Chemical biochemist and DEA consultant Alexander Shulgin "predicts that by the year 2060, the number of different known psychedelics will have grown from 300 to 2000." As the creator of more psychoactive compounds "than anyone living or dead," Shulgin's lifetime of experimentation has contributed a lot to scientific knowledge of psychedelics. Although many of the drugs he invented and used have been outlawed, his ambitious prediction and the inclusion of psychedelic research articles in Scientific American point to a possible resurgence of interest in psychedelics and inner space.

Creative Commons Image: "MDMA for PTSD" by dda on Flickr

Comments

DOW Chemicals?

Submitted by Furinoa on Thu, 04/10/2008 - 13:48.

Thanks for the update Erin as this is potentially exciting news. Its great that Alexander Shulgin has been doing this work, but it saddens me that he's been working for DOW Chemicals to do a lot of it. These are the same people that created the napalm with which we blasted the poor folks in Viet Nam.

I'm trying not to pass judgment on Mr. Shulgin as one's place of employment doesn't always predicate one's disposition, but DOW really scares the Hell out of me.

I would, however, be interested to know what the effects of some of these new lab-made psychedelics are, whether or not they have side-effects, and from what they're derived. Also, I've got to tip my hat to Mr. Shulgin for producing research on and including psychedelics in a publication that expounds the unquestioned dogmas of science like Scientific American. That is certainly refreshing.

Shulgin and DOW

Submitted by JWA Tucker on Fri, 04/11/2008 - 01:13.

Sasha Shulgin left Dow Chemicals back in 1965 to become an independent consultant, teaching public health at Berkeley. Since leaving Dow, he has independently pursued his interest in synthesizing these tools for exploring the mind.

Psychedelics Research

Submitted by Sam Michael on Thu, 04/10/2008 - 23:12.

Sam Michael

I wonder what's the best way to become involved in psychedelics research? Anyone have any experience?

Just Ask MAPS!

Submitted by ST Frequency on Fri, 04/11/2008 - 03:26.

From the August 2006 MAPS Bulletin:

"So You Want to be a Psychedelic Researcher?"

;)

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