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'Godfather of Ecstasy,' Chemist Sasha Shulgin Dies Aged 88

Posted by timothy on from the rest-in-more-peace-than-most dept.

EwanPalmer (2536690) writes "Alexander 'Sasha' Shulgin, the chemist, pharmacologist and author known for popularizing the drug MDMA as well as creating and synthesizing hundreds of psychoactive drugs, has died aged 88. Shulgin was known for discovering, creating and personally testing hundreds of psychoactive chemicals and documenting the results, along with his wife, in his books and papers. He is also known for introducing the positive aspects of MDMA to psychologists, which in term helped it become a popular recreational drug in the 1980s." With less irritation from auto-playing video sound, try the BBC.

6 of 164 comments (clear)

  1. It's just sad... by Jahoda · · Score: 2, Interesting

    How sad it is that psychoactive chemicals like this and LSD, which have been well demonstrated to have profoundly positive psychological effects (under responsible use) still cannot be used by responsible, grown adults? They can be the key to truly overcoming the psychological demons seem to be the human condition, and unlocked our true potential as self-aware, well-adjusted human beings.

    1. Re:It's just sad... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      That's too black and white especially when there are people like me that have extremely addictive personalities. You probably don't know much about that, and if you don't be glad because it's not easy. I'm the type if 100 will kill me I'll take 99 and there is no calming the beast, all reason goes out the window until I get that 99. I cannot even answer why I'm like that because I don't even understand it myself.

      I am the gray.

    2. Re:It's just sad... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

      Those are three very unrelated substances.

      Alcohol is a carbohydrate. It's food. It also happens to block up various glucose consumption mechanisms in your nervous system. Your body deals with it rather quickly. You also glean some calories from it.

      Caffeine is a stimulant. It may be considered a "drug" in light of that, but it's quite mild. It's also hard to acquire naturally. It's difficult to get an overdose without a lot of heavily industrialized refinement, and even then, it's difficult to get beyond the taste. Your body generally has no use for it, and most of what goes in to your body goes right back out when you pee.

      Nicotine is a toxin best suited to killing bugs. It can kill people too, it just takes longer. Some people speed up the process by also inhaling smoke, which is an asphyxiant and causes lung inflammation and disease. Smoke ranks right up there with asbestos and fiberglass on the list of things that cause rapid lung damage. Nicotine, well, not so much. Nicotine-laced material directly applied to mucus membrane tissue for extended periods of time, however, is a known localized carcinogen.

  2. Not just the Godfather of Ecstasy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    He was much more than just the Godfather of Ecstasy. A brilliant chemist who wanted to unlock the secrets of the brain and the inner workings of the mind and soul. He was bigger than just one drug, his work was far more important than just the Rave culture. He won't be understood in his own time and his contributions will not be fully understood for hundreds of years. Once humanity has decided that chemical and substance research can be of great use to mankind, his contributions will finally be recognized.

    Rest in Peace, Sasha.

  3. Re:But LSD must be better by oneiron · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I realize it was tongue in cheek, but you really shouldn't reduce Shulgin down to "the inventor of ecstasy" and draw cute comparisons with other famous chemists. Shugin "invented" countless other phenethylamines and tryptamines, and he documented the synthesis and experience reports thoroughly in a few different volumes that you can find on amazon.com. He was also a pioneering inventor of a massively popular pesticide which preceded other pesticides that are foundational components of modern agriculture.

  4. Re:But LSD must be better by F34nor · · Score: 4, Interesting

    PIHKAL & TIHKAL

    LSD is like a filthy hammer bashing your brain out sure you see stars but the next day is rough. Shulgin went to the point of creating psychoactives tailored to visual or auditory only. LSD was discovered by mistake, and opened up a new world of pharmacology. Shulgin understood the systems and created purposefully, there is a HUGE difference.