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'Godfather of Ecstasy,' Chemist Sasha Shulgin Dies Aged 88
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.
He also wrote two books on these experiments, Pihkal and Tihkal, both of which are part fictional autobiography, part detailed instructions on how to synthesize a lot of what he discovered. They're interesting reads, at the least.
Shulgin's work had nothing to do with weed, addictive drugs or getting a body high.
He invented and classified an entire new spectrum of chemicals closely related to the brain's chemicals such as serotonine. He tried to synthesize every possible combination, moving the amino groups around, substituting existing compounds with allyl or methoxy groups, and experimented with all these chemicals on himself with precise procedures to ensure his safety. These chemicals have proven to be extremely powerful consciousness-altering drugs, active at just a few milligrams, producing profound mind-bending effects and providing an unparalleled insight in the inner workings of the mind and its chemical balance.
He has provided the public with detailed descriptions of these chemicals, both synthesis and their subjective effects. He never profited financially and risked his life and freedom many times just to chase this knowledge. (And have great sex, as he states in his books). Alexander Shulgin was a genius, and the way society is developing there will probably never be a man like him again.
Too bad fear rules all. MDMA was highly effective in couples therapy, leading to years of progress in hours.
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.
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.