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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.

2 of 164 comments (clear)

  1. 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.

  2. 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.