Bicycle Day: The Time When Albert Hoffman Tripped Balls And Unleashed L.S.D.

Today, millions of people around the world are sparking up a joint, filling a bowl, sucking on a water bong, etc. in celebration of April 20 or, as it is in the vernacular, 4-20.

How the weed heads have hit upon this date as their official day of worship of the Herb is, well, a little hazy, like the purple haze that envelopes their heads in a cloud of smoke.

Like that lighter that keeps disappearing (check between the couch, dude), no one can quite remember why 4-20 is the designated Pot Smokers holiday.

As such, myths and theories (some quite elaborate) have developed over the years.

One such theory that is bandied about from the Associated Press to the BBC involves a bunch of pioneer potheads who called themselves the "Waldos."

The story goes that a group of students in 1971, at San Rafael High School in California, would gather everyday at 4:20 p.m. near the statue of Louis Pasture, smoke a joint then go wandering about looking for a lost weed patch.

The code word for the meetup was "420 Loui," later just "420."

Apparently one of the 'Waldos' was friends with Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead. The phrase spread as the band would go Truckin' from city to city on tour.

That being said, due reverence must be paid to the less celebrated Bicycle Day - April 19. Some say that 4-20 is actually the designator of this day.

That was the day the Psychedelic Gods bestowed LSD, the Mother of all psychedelics (of which marijuana is a family member) upon the world.

Its prophet was one Dr. Albert Hoffman.

Let us revisit that fateful day.

4:20 in the afternoon. The day is April 19, 1943. Dr. Albert Hoffman, in his laboratory in Basel, Switzerland, writes in his notebook: "0.5 cc of 1/2 promil aqueous solution of diethylamide tartrate orally = 0.25 mg tartrate. Taken diluted with about 10 cc water. Tasteless."

Hoffman has just dosed himself with lysergic acid diethylamide tartrate, better known as LSD-25. Outside his window, it is a gorgeous spring day. The Alps glow in the radiant sunlight . Birds in trees sing their songs.

At 5:00 p.m., Hoffman makes another note: "Beginning dizziness, feeling of anxiety, visual distortions, symptoms of paralysis, desire to laugh." After that, Hoffman finds the exertion of writing too great to bear.

He summons his lab assistant. “Home,” Hoffman tells him, “Take me . . . home.” It was hard for him to speak.

The words he uttered came out sounding strange, like filtered through an echo chamber with a flange effect. But the assistant understood. He was informed before hand by the doctor to keep an eye on him, as he was about to conduct an experiment with a psychoactive substance never before used by man.

The lab assistant fetched the bicycles. There were no cars available due to wartime restrictions. They began to cycle home.

The bike ride, normally a pleasant journey by county road, becomes a perplexing ordeal. Everything in Hoffman’s field of vision is distorted, like being in a carnival fun house full of curved mirrors. Their is the sensation of being unable to move from a spot. Nonetheless, the two make it home safe and sound.

Hoffman knows he needs help. To his assistant, he sputters, “The doc . . . doc . . . tor. Please . . . milk.” The assistant understands. Hoffman wants a doctor, and a glass of milk as a nonspecific antidote for poisoning. Hoffman feels dizzy and faint.

No longer able to stand, he lays down on the couch. The room spins and the furniture comes alive, jumping up and down. He is caught in a macabre dance as tables and chairs change into grotesque forms with sinister expressions.There is a knock on the door.

Hoffman opens the door only to be confronted by an “insidious witch” wearing a hideous mask. The wretch is holding in her gnarled hand a bottle with some kind of liquid in it. The assistant takes the bottle from the hag and shuts the door.

“Who was that demon?” Hoffman inquires. “It was only your kindly neighbor,” said the assistant. “She brought you the milk which you had requested.” Hoffman, confused and deeply suspicious, takes the milk and drinks. He downs two liters in the course of an evening.

His outer world was coming apart, disintegrating into chaos in front of his eyes. Yet the worst part was the disintegration of his own ego taking place inside of his mind. In My Problem Child, Hoffman explains:

“A demon had invaded me, had taken possession of my body, mind, and soul. I jumped up and screamed, trying to free myself from him, but then sank down again and lay helpless on the sofa. The substance, with which I had wanted to experiment, had vanquished me. It was the demon that scornfully triumphed over my will. I was seized by the dreadful fear of going insane. I was taken to another world, another place, another time. My body seemed to be without sensation, lifeless, strange. Was I dying? Was this the transition? At times I believed myself to be outside my body, and then perceived clearly, as an outside observer, the complete tragedy of my situation.”

Some time later, the doctor arrived. Still unable to speak, the lab assistant told the doctor about Hoffman’s vulnerable condition and his self administered experiment with a dangerous substance. The doctor shook his head as Hoffman babbled incoherently about the devil and a world gone mad.

Upon examination, he could find nothing abnormal physically, save for dilated pupils. Breathing was normal as well as pulse and blood pressure. By this time, the effects of the drug began to diminish. The climax having passed, Hoffman entered into a state of psychedelic revery.

The world took on a colorful kaleidoscopic aura, with an endless passing stream fantastic imagery and extraordinary shapes. Spirals and circles morphed into fountains and ordinary sounds were transformed into optical perceptions with solid form and color. By the time his wife returned that evening, Hoffman was back to his normal self.

References:

How 4/20 grew from humble roots to marijuana’s high holiday

Marijuana advocates are gearing up for April 20. Known as 4/20, marijuana’s high holiday on Saturday is often marked by large gatherings to smoke together.

AP NewsGENE JOHNSON

This website is unavailable in your location. – WSOC TV

WSOC TV

Amazon.com

Tripping in LSD’s Birthplace: A Story for “Bicycle Day”

After consuming magic mushrooms in Basel, Switzerland, I ran into Albert Hofmann, the chemist who catalyzed the psychedelic era.

Scientific AmericanJohn Horgan

Andrew K. Arnett is a writer and producer. He has been published in Paranoia Magazine, New Dawn, Nexus, Konbini and Alien Buddha Press. He lives in Brooklyn, NY and hunts ghosts with the Brooklyn Paranormal Society. Find him on Twitter: @AndrewArnett

HOME | My Site

My Site