LSD and Creativity
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Introduction to LSD and Steve JobsIn the 60 and 70’s, an era known for its revolutionary hippie culture, cultivated what many would say to be the birth of Apple. Steve Jobs, the known heart and soul of the company, has been referred as influencing counter-culture with his ingestion of LSD back in the 70s. Jobs admitted to the use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) during a background check back in 1991, and was by no means ashamed of it. He has been interviewed in which he states LSD was one of the greatest experiences of his life. LSD is still considered a Schedule I substance, as it has not been supported to have a safe dose even under supervision and has no accepted medical use.
History of LSDLSD is a serotonergic hallucinogen that was first synthesized in 1938 but its effects were not discovered until 1943. LSD comes from lysergic acid found on ergot fungus Claviceps purpurea in grains (Passie). People report their experience with LSD as a "trip," but it is called other names as well, such as "midrodots", "acid", and "window panes". LSD can be ingested through tablets, capsules, liquid form, or absorbent paper. LSD research had been on hold since the mid to late 1970s due to its frequent use and abuse by youth of the time. LSD is currently being researched in search of possible therapeutic effects in those suffering other addictions such as alcoholism, and aiding in PTSD recovery.
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Adverse Effects of LSDLSD can bind to many neurotransmitter receptors in the brain. Through neurophysial research, it has been found to alter established neural networks including those involved with creativity (Carhart-Harris). LD50 of LSD has been studies in rabbits, rats, mice, and monkeys. These LD50s rage from 0.3mg/kg to 1mg/kg. According to Passie et al., there are no any documented, fatal incidents in humans. These authors reported in the care of eight people who accidentally ingested a large amount has up to “1000-7000 mg per 100 mL blood plasma and suffered from comatose states, hyperthermia, vomiting, light gastric bleed, and respiratory problems” but later recovered with no residual side effects or deficits (Passie). Human can experience LSD effects at the ingestion of 0.5-1.0mg/kg when ingested orally, and the affect can last up to 10 hours.
Below you will find the common adverse effects of LSD: PHYSICAL EFFECTS
Effects on CreativityJobs was undoubtedly a technological genius, who revolutionized every day people’ experience with computers and other devices. He was called a "micromanager," a trait that may have led ultimately to the Apple Empire. Even after his death, his influence on technology continues. Jobs' use of psychedelics has been reported more than once. One discussion being by a close friend that stated their friendship flowered from their common interest in an “amazing book called Be Here Now, that focused on psychedelics and spirituality” (Walia). In an interview with CNN’s Walter Issacson, Jobs describes his experience with LSD as “one of the most important things in my life. LSD shows you that there’s another side to the coin, and you can’t remember it when it wears off, but you know it. It reinforced my sense of what was important—creating great things instead of making money, putting things back into the stream of history and of human consciousness as much as I could.” LSD could have been the origin of many of Jobs creations since the start of Apple. Although no LSD use was recorded in the years close to the end of his life, it is evident that Jobs was able “to put things back in the stream of history” as our beloved iPhone, iPads, and iMacs continue to be part of our daily consciousness. References Carhart-Harris, Aaron. et al."Neural Correlates of the LSD Experience Revealed by Multimodal Neuroimaging." Neural Correlates of the LSD Experience Revealed by Multimodal Neuroimaging. N.p., 01 Mar. 2016. Web. 16 Apr. 2016. Fink, Erica, and Laurie Segall. "I Did LSD with Steve Jobs." CNNMoney. Cable News Network, 18 Dec. 2015. Web. 18 Apr. 2016. Passie, Torsten, John H. Halpern, Dirk Stichtenoth, Hinderk M. Emrich, and Annelie Hintzen. "The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review." CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics. Blackwell Publishing, 2008. Web. 15 Apr. 2016. Ristea, Octavien. "Would the IPhone Exist If Steve Jobs Did Not Take LSD?" High Existence. N.p., 2015. Web. 18 Apr. 2016. Szalavitz, Maia. "Steve Jobs Had LSD. We Have the IPhone | TIME.com." Time. Time, 11 Oct. 2011. Web. 15 Apr. 2016. Walia, Arjun. "Did LSD & Meditation Make Steve Jobs A Tech Visionary?" CollectiveEvolution RSS. N.p., 2 Feb. 2015. Web. 19 Apr. 2016. |
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