DNA Discovered while on LSD
Francis Crick discovered the secret structure of DNA while on LSD. He was accustomed to using low doses of the drug to increase mental function which reminds me of the juice of Sapho from the David Lynch film based on Frank Herbert’s Dune. Mentats were human computers.
Unlike computers, however, Mentats are not simply human calculators writ large. Instead, the exceptional cognitive abilities of memory and perception are the foundations for supra-logical hypothesizing. Mentats are able to sift large volumes of data and devise concise analyses in a process that goes far beyond logical deduction: Mentats cultivate “the naïve mind”, the mind without preconception or prejudice, that can extract the essential patterns or logic of data, and deliver useful conclusions with varying degrees of certainty. (Mentat)
In the imaginary world of Dune, Mentats used the juice of Sapho to increase their considerable abilities even further. Perhaps LSD was Crick’s juice of Sapho allowing him to see the essential pattern of the DNA molecule by laying aside preconceptions and self-critical thoughts.
It is by will alone I set my mind in motion.
It is by the juice of sapho that thoughts acquire speed,
the lips acquire stains, the stains become a warning.
It is by will alone I set my mind in motion.
(Mentat Mantra)
Tags: biology, David Lynch, DNA, drugs, Dune, entheogens, Francis Crick, Frank Herbert, LSD, mentat, mind, prejudice, psychedelic, psychology, Sapho
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Anonymous said,
December 3, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
DRUGGIES ARE DUMB ACID KILLZ
Jonathan Blake
said,
December 3, 2007 @ 8:42 pm
Interesting (if opaque) perspective. Care to posit a coherent argument in support of your position that druggies are dumb acid killz? Or is there a new reverse-spambot in the wild which oddly tries to convince me to not buy drugs?
Anonymous said,
January 17, 2008 @ 5:25 am
Interesting about LSD and DNA. I didn’t know that. Reminds me of the time that I, an Electrical Engineering student at Utah State University, heard that Monosodium Glutamate would help my brain and took it a couple of times. Then, I decided that I didn’t want to mess with my body chemistry, and I stopped taking it.
Allen
said,
January 17, 2008 @ 5:27 am
Ops… forgot to ID myself in my previous comment. Sorry, Jonathan.
Jonathan Blake
said,
January 17, 2008 @ 10:18 am
If there were legitimate clinical trial of the therapeutic use of LSD, I’d sign up. I’m not necessarily looking for a recreational experience. I’d be more interested in “cleansing the doors of perception” as they say.
mike said,
January 23, 2008 @ 11:04 am
drugs enable one to see things from a different perspective, most psychedelics and hallucinogens subtly alter the brain’s chemistry which allows thought processes to occur which would be impossible while sober. I myself have come up with several solutions to problems while stoned (I am an electrical & mechanical engineering student in scotland).
On another note, the ‘drug war’ only succeeds in perpetrating the drug trade, as every seizure drives the price up for a while. All drug dealers I have met are for the war on drugs as they all know that without it they would be out of a job. indeed, the only reason I started smoking weed was because it was illegal. and once you discover that all the government propaganda is bullshit, you are VERY inclined to disbelieve ANY official information on drugs at all.
sorry to go on a bit, the war on drugs is my personal bugbear!
Jonathan Blake
said,
January 23, 2008 @ 11:23 am
Amen, mike. The only point of disagreement we have is that some thought processes are only possible while under the influence. This might be true, or it might not. Perhaps those thought processes could be induced without external chemicals. Just a thought.
The government would improve its credibility (while trimming its coffers) if it either made marijuana legal or made worse drugs like tobacco and alcohol illegal. As it stands, its policy looks uninformed and extremist at best, cynically calculating at worst.
January 23, 2008 @ 7:59 pm
the government doesn’t need to do anything but stop the drug war. I’m not saying all drugs should be legal,there is some really nasty stuff on the streets. but making a substance illegal only fuels the fire for drug dealers. it gives them no regulations and now gidelines. in my opinion things like bud, alcohol, tobacco should be strictly watched and taxed. this would keep people out of jail save the government money. also in the case of hard life hurting drugs, instead of sending these people to jail, they should send them in to rehab. there sick not criminals. now if they go to rehab ever other day then a jail sentence wouyld be ok. lastly in the case of America, were sub post to be free who the fuck cares if you smoke weed, drink at 18, etc.
lsd what a drug!
Jonathan Blake
said,
January 24, 2008 @ 10:35 am
I agree, Anonymous. I think the War on Drugs is a farce, just like Prohibition was a farce. I’m only saying that if America wants to be consistent, if we ban drugs like marijuana and LSD, then we should also ban alcohol and tobacco. I would prefer, however, that we give up on the idea of prohibition, perhaps altogether.
chandelle said,
January 24, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
i’m also opposed to the drug war.
jonathan, i presume you are aware that clinical trials HAVE been conducted on LSD and indeed LSD was applied therapeutically for quite a while with good results? there were about 1000 papers published about psychedelic therapy in the 60s. i had a psychiatrist professor in college who said that it was one of his most effective therapies, that he experienced the greatest breakthroughs with clients who were dosed. i personally have never done it, not from lack of desire but more from lack of opportunity. given the opportunity i’d probably give it a shot.
Jonathan Blake
said,
January 24, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
Now if we can only convince them to open clinical trials again, they’ve got two volunteers, at least.