5 ABSURD MYTHS ABOUT PSYCHEDELICS
There are countless modern myths and legends surrounding the subject of psychedelics. Although some of the stories are quite ridiculous, all of these myths were once considered true – at least a little. Here are some of the more ridiculous myths about psychedelics.
There are many outrageous urban myths about psychedelic drugs and their effects. Some of these stories are still shared today. In this post, we look at the most ridiculous myths about psychedelics.
MYTH NUMBER 1 – LUCKY STRIKE CIGARETTES ONCE HAD A HAPPY SURPRISE
It is said that Lucky Strike cigarettes got their iconic name for a reason. They were named after the occasional smoker who was lucky enough to find a spliff of marijuana in their pack! Those who propagate this myth usually know the odds of such a lucky break. Claims range from one spliff in a thousand packs to one treat in every pack.
According to Snopes.com, it is not known where or when this legend originated, but it has been around for “many years”, according to Snopes.com. Lucky Strike’s official slogan “It’s Toasted” hasn’t really helped disprove this legend. Needless to say, there are no credible reports that anyone has ever found a spliff in a pack of Lucky Strike.
MYTH 2 – MAGIC MUSHROOMS INSPIRED THE SUPER MARIO POWER-UP
The “mushroom” power-up in the Super Mario video game is actually based on psychedelic mushrooms – at least according to one drug myth. Those who believe in this legend point to the visual similarities between the game’s mushroom (red cap with white spots) and the species Amanita muscaria (fly agaric), a variant that actually has hallucinogenic properties.
The official position of the Super Mario game’s inventors is (of course) that there is no connection with drugs of any kind. They even took care to call the power-up “super mushroom” instead of “magic mushroom” to avoid any association with psychedelics. At least, that’s what they say. Of course, this doesn’t convince some conspiracy theorists in the gaming subculture, who swear there’s a more far-fetched meaning.
MYTH 3 – HORRORS ARE CAUSED BY A BAD LSD
The myth that bad LSD trips are caused by ‘bad LSD’ originated during the psychedelic ‘flower power’ era of the 1960s. Spectators at the famous Woodstock music festival in 1969 were even warned not to touch the supposedly “bad brown LSD”.
It is more likely that this supposedly ‘bad LSD’ contained higher than usual doses and that it caused excessive effects or ‘bad trips’ in those involved. Add to this the fact that there was at the time (and still is) no quality control for psychedelic substances. Given that drugs distributed under the name of LSD often contain all sorts of other substances, including PCP and amphetamines, it may not have been so wrong to talk about ‘bad LSD’. It can certainly produce different and sometimes quite unpleasant effects.
MYTH 4 – YOU CAN TRIP ON BANANA PEELS
This is a classic myth that is still being talked about today. Some people believe that it is possible to synthesise LSD or any other psychedelic substance from a banana peel. Bananadine’ (as if the name wasn’t hideous enough) is supposedly a mild psychoactive substance that can be synthesised without any special knowledge or laboratory equipment. All you have to do is get hold of a bunch of the yellow fruit and let the party begin! Sounds great, doesn’t it?
Myths about the effects of smoking a banana peel began to appear in the late 1960s, long before people had access to the internet and social media. The famous “Anarchist Cookbook” mentioned the “mild psychoactive effects” of banana peel (“Musa sapientum Bananadine”), among other articles, most of which were bogus. Those who still did not believe in smoked banana peel’s hallucinogenic effects had only to listen to Donovan’s 1966 psychedelic song “Mellow Yellow”, in which the singer refers to an “electric banana”. Do you need more proof?
MYTH 5 – THE ORANGE JUICE MAN
The “orange juice man” is one of the most infamous and ridiculous modern legends about LSD. A Canadian allegedly got a good deal on LSD during a visit to the United States. Of course, he couldn’t resist and bought a large quantity, several hundred strips. To avoid getting caught at the border on the way home, he taped himself up with the entire LSD.
However, the unfortunate man must have aroused suspicion because border control asked him to wait in a room while they searched the car. Of course, he started to panic and sweat because he was sure they would search him next. The sweat soaked the sheet of LSD strips, causing an inhuman amount of LSD to be absorbed into his skin.
Soon the LSD began to take effect and the poor man thought he was an orange, which he still does today. Rumour has it that he lives in a mental institution where he shares a room with a peach and a pineapple. There are many variations of this story. In one version, the guy wants to peel himself, so he takes off all his clothes. In another, he skips being a fruit altogether and goes straight to being a glass of orange juice. This story takes the unfortunate turn of being unable to lie down and sleep for fear that someone will drink it. Despite this story’s ridiculousness, it was widely used as an anti-drug scare tactic in the 1960s, leading many people to believe this stupid fake story.
