LSD: My Problem Child (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: ololiuhqui seeds, psilocybin inebriation, pharmacological department, Ernst Jünger, Aldous Huxley, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This is the story of LSD told by a concerned yet hopeful father, organic chemist Albert Hofmann. He traces LSD's path from a promising psychiatric research medicine to a recreational drug sparking hysteria and prohibition.

We follow Dr. Hofmann's trek across Mexico to discover sacred plants related to LSD, and listen in as he corresponds with other notable figures about his remarkable discovery.

Underlying it all is Dr. Hofmann's powerful conclusion that mystical experience may be our planet's best hope for survival. Whether induced by LSD, meditation, or arising spontaneously, such experiences help us to comprehend "the wonder, the mystery of the divine‹in the microcosm of the atom, in the macrocosm of the spiral nebula, in the seeds of plants, in the body and soul of people."

More than sixty years after the birth of Albert Hofmann's problem child, his vision of its true potential is more relevant, and more needed, than ever.

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: MAPS (December 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966001982
• ISBN-13: 978-0966001983
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #551,822 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pioneer of hallucinogens discusses pros and cons, May 31, 2002

By	J. T. Towers "author and editor" (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: LSD, my problem child (Hardcover)

Albert Hoffman, the Swiss chemist who accidentally invented LSD -- and then tested it on himself in the first human LSD trial -- presents a fascinating account of the first acid trips, including quite readable descriptions of the chemistry involved and first-person accounts from the first acid pioneers. He also did groundbreaking research into the natural hallucinogens of Mexico and he provides insightful comparisons of LSD and mushrooms. Why "My Problem Child"? Because advocating LSD was not his trip -- he strongly believes LSD can be a beneficial way for one to get to know oneself and experience other worlds, but only if the user is mentally and physically prepared for the journey. Kids in the 60s getting drunk and dropping ten hits gave the drug a bad name, to say the least. This book does include some practical information on avoiding (or surviving) bad trips, as well. Excellent source for anyone on either side of the issue of hallucinogens and their relationship to human consciousness.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars carefully covers all aspects of LSD and other psychedelics, October 5, 2005

By	Gregory Ames (Maywood, NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: LSD, my problem child (Hardcover)

This book must be extremely rare to find a physical copy so if you are interested in reading it I suggest you look online (I read it at [...]). This book gives a complete history of the Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman's research leading up to the discovery of LSD-25 as well its effects on society at the time, its uses, and even his correspondence with various writers and other enthusaists (I bet you didn't know that he frequently met up with Aldous Huxley). A quote in his introduction describes what he intends to write about:
"It is my desire in this book to give a comprehensive picture of LSD, its origin, its effects, and its dangers, in order to guard against increasing abuse of this extraordinary drug... I believe that if people would learn to use LSD's vision-inducing capability more wisely, under suitable conditions, in medical practice and in conjunction with meditation, then in the future this problem child could become a wonder child."
The beginning parts on his initial work with egrot alkaloids and his synthesis of LSD is probably only of interest to a chemist, but it isn't hopelessly complicated (I enjoyed that section even with my minimal understanding of chemistry). It wasn't until years after its initial founding that he was drawn back to it and discovered its psychedelic qualities. It goes on to discuss the thrill/fear of his first accidental trip and his awe of its capabilities. This book is more than just an account of events and history. Unlike typical scientific writings, it often discusses his feelings and beliefs about LSD and even his travels to other countries for personal psychedelic research. The last chapter especially deals with spirituality and the use of psychedelics.
One great quality of this book is that it is highly objective and although it includes some of Hoffman's beliefs it carefully gives both sides of the story. It basically recommends LSD only for medical or careful psychological use under professional guidance, but gives enough information and insight as to the nature of the drug, that you are free to form your own opinion.

I highly reccommend this book since it so carefully covers all aspects of LSD and other psychedelics. This may be of interest to those with or without a firm understanding of chemistry

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All of our lives have been changed by Hofmann's discovery, regarless of whether one consumes contolled substances or not., July 7, 2006

By	Timothy J. Mcallister "dogbreth" (black river falls, wi, usa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

All of our lives have been changed by the inquisitive nature of Albert Hofmann. The chemical that called him back was the twenty-fifth derivative of lysergic acid diethylamide, better known as LSD-25, or simply, LSD.
The modern age of psychiatric medications is a direct off shoot of LSD experimentation. Computer technology, particularly personal computers and `shareware', have strong roots in LSD use. LSD: My Problem Child is Albert Hofmann's own story. Using a small, but known amount, on April 19, 1943 Albert Hofmann became the first person to deliberately ingest LSD. Soon other chemists and members of the Sandoz executive staff "experimented" with Hofmann's highly unusual chemical. They realized that LSD-25 had enormous potential.
Hofmann's work with LSD brought him into the search for the active constituents of "Mexican Magic Mushrooms". These almost lost shamanistic tools made their way to Hofmann's laboratory due to their similar effects to LSD. Hofmann was able to synthesize the active components and named them psilocybin and psilocin. A large portion of LSD: My Problem Child is devoted to Hofmann's communication with authors, philosophers, and major contemporary icons (such as Timothy Leary, who Hofmann liked personally but believed was short sighted about the dangers he faced personally and the advocating of hallucinogen consumption by American youth). LSD: My Problem Child is a quick, entertaining read.