The Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch is well regarded as a “psychedelic visionary” of his time, having single-handedly changed the imagery of demons and hell in the west. His depictions of demons are a mishmash of animal and human imagery and objects. While it’s still unknown exactly how he conjured these images, a few experts propose that ergot poisoning could be to blame, as ergot was rampant during the Middle Ages. Ergotamine, which causes ergot poisoning, is similar to LSD in composition, leading to “delusions, twitching, and violent jerking”. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
