LSD and microdosing
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The world of science is tentatively set to research microdosing with LSD. Could we be seeing the dawn of a new smart drug?
Since the discovery of Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), by Albert Hoffman in 1938, many adolescents and adults have experimented with this hallucinogen. From the Beatles and their massively referenced songs to the 1990s rave culture – LSD has pushed the perceptions of youth culture – both positively and negatively.
In last week’s New Scientist magazine, an article, The Acid Test, reveals that medical trials will begin trialling the microdosing of LSD. Within this article it highlights LSD as a potential performance enhancer, that has already been utilised by many computer geeks in Silicon Valley, to improve their output.
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Although some may have justifiable reservations about taking a hallucinogenic drug whilst trying to finish their latest business report, microdosing does not cause impaired perception. Instead, it is thought a microdose (a tenth of the recreational amount) would actually assist creativity and performance.
The cult figure Terrence McKenna has often lauded the benefits of psylocybin (the hallucinogenic compound found in magic mushrooms) and LSD. Both chemical compounds are known to have a profound effect on particular areas of the brain – most notably the visual cortex. McKenna’s viewpoint was that psylocybin, in particular, was advantageous to our society.
Research into this this area has also looked at how Hallucinogens at very small doses may assist with depression and addiction. Therefore our working days may see an altered approach. Instead of grabbing a double espresso en route to an important meeting, we may be reaching for our carefully measured dose of psylocybin or LSD.
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