What I Know About 'Shrooms I Learned on NPR

Why it that when I hear about something that happened 20 years ago, I think of the late 1970s and not the ‘80s? It’s like I lost a decade somewhere.

I can’t blame LSD because I never did it, although I had a high school boyfriend who did and liked it. A lot.

His name was Brian and the last time I saw him was about 12 years ago. I was in Minnesota visiting my high school friends Pam and Mike, who Brian and I introduced during our 4-month courtship back in 1980. They got married a year after graduation and are still together. Anyway, I was over at their house when Mike called Brian and told him to come over. He did, and I was surprised to see he was missing a few teeth. His hair was still wildly curly, though, and his eyes that same pale blue. He asked me what I’d been up to and I told him about my work at the university and how my girls were growing and doing well in school. Then I asked him what he’d been up to, and with his familiar shit-eating grin he said, “Well, yesterday I dropped acid and went cat fishin’. Hee, hee.”

Thirty-two years old and he was still trippin’. I guess that would explain the missing teeth in some roundabout way.

On my way home from Pittsburgh this morning, I was listening to National Public Radio and my favorite radio newscaster, the man whose voice I want on my answering machine if I ever get on (and win) the show “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me!”, Carl Kassel, announced that Albert Huffman, the “father of LSD,” died in Switzerland yesterday at 102. That’s when I thought about Brian and tried to remember when we dated and I came up with 20 years ago, even though it’s closer to 30. Where did the ‘80s go?

After the news, I switched over to another NPR station and listened to the Bryant Park Project.

It must be drug day because the story they were discussing was Denmark’s proposal to ban hallucinogenic mushrooms. They interviewed an American who owns a “smartshop” in Amsterdam called Mushroom Galaxy. Having never done ‘shrooms (or dropped acid or snorted coke or licked toads), I wanted to know more about this particular high and so with a quick Google search, I found Mushroom Galaxy’s homepage.

Oh my. It’s quite a site. They not only sell mushrooms, but also “love herbs” and other aphrodisiacs, snuff kits, absinthe, hemp products, pipes, marijuana seeds, and other psychedelics. Unfortunately, everything is available in their Amsterdam store only and not through mail order. Damn. Some of their gift items would knock off a good quarter of my Christmas gift list!

The floating mushroom mouse pointer is a bit irritating, but maybe after a few ‘shrooms it becomes fascinating. Mom, if you’re reading this, I don’t recommend you click on their link. Everyone else, though, especially those of you who grew up in the 70s and remember being able to buy a bong in the same place you bought an LP, give the site a look. If nothing else, it’s interesting to contemplate the vast cultural differences between the Dutch and Americans, or Europeans in general and Americans. Imagine if the Puritans hadn’t settled in our country and instead were able to establish their beliefs in Europe. Would a Mushroom Galaxy be possible here?

I won’t drop acid, but maybe in honor of Mr. Huffman, I’ll dig out my “Hair” soundtrack and listen to “Walking in Space.”

I’m still wondering where that decade went. I was pretty sober when I lost it. Maybe there was more to that high school gunja than just the munchies.

Comments

[Cheri]

As I was leaving the school luncheon this afternoon a friend of mine informed me (in a whisper) that her daughter (who is 24) knows what a bong is...her daughter told me that she was amazed that her mother (who is the same age as me) knew what a bong is, I informed the little missy that I remember all of the 70's and some of th 60's so of course we'd know what a bong was...you could buy them at the record store if you were into that sort of things (bongs, not music...tho being a record store one would think you liked music). Ah, yes when someone says 20 years ago, I immediately think of the 1970's..tho I was never a drug user, I've still managed to misplace that decade called the 80's...I'm so glad I'm not alone!

[Karen]

You really made my day! I recently had a conversation with my 13yr old son, he asked me "have you ever tried drugs". I was so glad he said “tried” and not "did". Because I could truthfully answer yes I "tried", but I didn't like the loss of control. I decided that now isn't the time to tell him how often I "tried". While maybe not numerous by some standards (I can count on my fingers, OK, I have to use both hands), but I don't want to divulge that. Meanwhile, my husband (who knows me very well) snickered behind me! I am in NO way endorsing any kind of drug, just wanted you to hear from someone that has “tried” a few items on your list above.

p.s. not in 20 years, and I really mean the 80’s, since I was 18, in 1988!