Albert Hofmann 1943.
Hallucinogens are naturally or synthetically
derived substances, which have a strong effect
on people's senses, consciousness and
perception. The combination of hallucinogens
with other drugs or alcohol has unpredictable
effects and therefore is dangerous.
LSD
On April 16, 1943, the Swiss chemist,
Albert Hofmann, was forced to finish work in
his laboratory early and go home. in his own
words, he "suddenly became very uneasy and
dizzy". The reason More or less by coincidence,
Hofmann had 'munched' on his own discovery:
LSD.
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a semi-synthetic substance, which is derived from a natural fungus. LSD is odourless,
colourless, and tasteless.
How is LSD used?
LSD is mostly sold as a paper trip: An edible
piece of paper of about half a square centimetre,
containing extremely small quantities of liquid
LSD. A standard trip only contains 50 to 100
micrograms of LSD, (a microgram is 1/1 000th
milligram).
How does LSD work?
LSD starts working after about 30 minutes to
one hour. After that, the user is completely
submerged in his own world. A world, which
spontaneously sees objects changing form, in
which music can be seen and colours can be
smelled. The room seems as large as a dance
hall. You sit and think you're standing. You
stand and think you're flying. The trip
progresses in waves with a peak after two to six
hours. After 12 to 24 hours, the effect of LSD
tapers off.
'Flashbacks'
Months or even years after a trip, flashbacks
may occur. During a flashback, the user relives a
part of the trip, without actually having taken
LSD. A flashback
can last from only a few minutes to several hours.
How can you tell LSD use in prison?
LSD users seem detached from the outside world.
LSD can sometimes lead to some type of anxiety
psychosis, which is coupled with heavy sweating and
fear of dying, (bad trip). Individuals do not become
aggressive from using LSD, they rather become
friendly and amicable.
Dubious CIA methods
Hofmann's invention of LSD quickly aroused the interest of the CIA. During interrogations, individuals were
given LSD without their knowledge in the hope that the trip would evoke a
confession,
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are among the oldest
'tripping' substances known to men. The Indians of
Middle- and South America have been using them for
centuries already, because they supposedly prove helpful in
their contact with the gods. The mushroom's
'magical' effect is caused by psilocybin, an active
substance which is found in more than twenty
different mushroom types. The most known are the
'Mexican' , 'Balinese' or 'Hawaiian' mushrooms and
the pointed 'Liberty Cap', which grows in Northern
temperate zones throughout the world. In Europe,
certain types are found In the wild, others are
cultivated.
How are mushrooms used?
Mushrooms are eaten fresh as well as dried. The
effect is stronger when the mushrooms are dried. It is
also possible to make tea from mushrooms. Four to
twelve milligrams are sufficient for one 'trip'.
How do mushrooms work?
A 'mushroom trip' is similar to an 'LSD trip' but
milder. 'Bad trips' occur less frequently with
mushrooms than with LSD. The effects can be felt
for three to five hours with a peak in the first two
hours.
How can you tell mushroom use in prison?
in general, the effects of mushroom use are barely noticeably to outsiders. The use does not
lead to aggressive behaviour. Mushroom users are
harder to address on their behaviour.