On April 1942, the Swiss chemist Albert hoffman discovered the psychedelic properties of LSD in a curious accident known today as bicycle day. Fifteen years later, a wealthy and mushroom-loving couple, R. Gordon and Valentina Wasson, contacted him to send him some samples they had collected from some magic mushrooms that used to be part of the rituals of the Mexican natives. Those were the first steps that led to the discovery of psilocybin. And three decades later, in 1983, a man called Ken nelson published a curious brochure in which he explained how to squeeze a species of toad and smoke its contents. This is how three of the most famous psychedelic drugs of today were discovered. Some drugs that, to this day, are also known for therapeutic purposes.
In fact, more and more scientific studies are currently exploring its potential, especially for treating other drug-resistant depression. But what do we know about these three drugs? And above all, what is the full story of your discoveries? Of course, none of them are wasteful.
LSD and bicycle day
Albert hoffman He had a great interest in studying compounds from natural sources and artificially synthesizing them in the laboratory. That is how, in 1938, he came to LSD from lysergic acid.
Initially he did not have much idea of what the properties of this substance might be, so he dedicated the following years of his research to study them. That was what the April 16, 1943, when he began to feel light-headed and dizzy. It was a strange sensation, different from another that he might have experienced before, so he ended up concluding that it could be a LSD effect, which could have passed into your body through the skin of your fingers. But, as a good scientist, he wanted to experiment to be sure. For this reason, three days later he returned to the laboratory and this time he did not manipulate the substance with his bare hands, but directly ingested it. He reported it to his assistant, so that might happen. And thank goodness he did.
Shortly thereafter the dizziness and confusion returned, but much worse than the first day. He saw the distorted images and it was difficult for him to walk normally. He asked his assistant to accompany him home, for fear of having an accident if he did it alone. It is said that they went by bicycle, hence the April 19th known since then as the bicycle day.
And the story did not end there. When he got there, he collapsed on the couch, unable to stand. He had the feeling that the furniture was turning and everything around him was moving. It even reached fear for his life, so he called his doctor, who was not able to diagnose anything, beyond that his pupils were dilated. Fortunately, over time that feeling that those who have used any of these drugs know well was diluted and gave way to a great tranquility and thanks for still alive. He knew that he had discovered something important and that perhaps, well controlled, could have some therapeutic purpose. However, it soon fell into the hands less concerned with medicine, who wanted to take advantage of those unique psychedelic effects that Hoffman had experienced. The psychedelic drug rush had started.
It’s the turn of magic mushrooms and psilocybin
In 1957 the Wassons wrote a Article called In search of the magic mushroom. in which they spoke of the use of some types of mushrooms in the religious practices of certain groups of indigenous Mexicans. They knew that it was used for its hallucinogenic properties, so they were interested in learning more about it.
So they contacted mycologist Roger Heim, who helped them collect some samples, especially of a fungus called Psilocybe mexicana. Hoffman’s fame in the studio psychedelic substances She was more than known, so they decided to send her these samples.
The chemist did not hesitate to investigate them as he knew best how to do: looking for the compounds responsible for the psychedelic effects and, of course, testing them. Thus, he found two substances, which he baptized as psilocybin and psilocin. In addition, he managed to synthesize them artificially, as he did in his day with LSD.
Since then, magic mushrooms have been among the best-known recreational drugs. Not necessarily P. mexicana. In fact, it is much more common P. cubensis. This is not considered so toxic and in general its consumption, beyond the typical effects of psychedelia, is not especially dangerous. The problem is that if, for example, it is consumed before performing tasks such as swimming in the sea or driving, it can cause death by accident. In addition, it has been seen that in people with mental problems it can make them worse. Of course, at inappropriate doses, as it also has beneficial effects for some of them. But we will see that later.
How to squeeze a toad?
In 1983, Ken nelson posted a user information on how to extract and smoke a substance from the skin of the Sonoran desert toad (Bufo alvarius). It seemed silly, but those who decided to follow the recommended steps saw that, indeed, a very intense psychedelic drug could be extracted from some glands present in the amphibian’s body. The effects were more powerful than with LSD or psilocybin and, in addition, they were generated very quickly, ending in just 10-30 minutes.
Such was the acceptance that a indiscriminate capture of these animals. Thus, over the years, its population has suffered a great deterioration. It is true that it has been especially for the loss of part of their habitat, but that they hunt them to smoke their sweat does not help.
Because, Recently researcher Robert Villa and journalist and scientist Hamilton Morris They have launched a curious campaign aimed at its conservation. This consists of the sale of various products, including a new brochure, which emulates Nelson’s; but that, instead of extracting the drug from the toad, it explains how to synthesize it. And it is that, today, the substance in question, called 5-MeO-DMT, it is already well known to scientists. In fact, it was recently published in ACS Omega a study that describes its chemical structure and the way to obtain it artificially, with a 99.86% purity.
And not only its structure is known. Also its properties, which go far beyond recreational drugs, as can be seen in the clinical trial started in 2019 at Johns Hopkins University with the aim of studying its potential as a treatment for depression.
The present of psychedelic drugs
Both LSD, as the psilocybin from magic mushrooms and that curious drug extracted from the Sonoran toad can be dangerous if consumed uncontrollably. But also great allies if they are managed by scientists.
Its potential to treat mental illnesses, such as depression, is becoming clearer. In fact, they have been verified very curious facts, such as that acute psychedelic experience predicts therapeutic efficacy of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. That is, depending on how great the sensory experience generated by psychedelic drugs is, they will be more or less effective in medicine.
That, of course, poses an interesting path for the drug of the sonoran toad. Especially now that we know how to use it without disturbing the poor little animal, who has enough that they are putting his desert sleeve on his shoulder.