The Substances
Mescaline, LSD, psilocybin, DMT, MDMA — the molecules, the discoveries, Bicycle Day, and what neuroscience now understands about how they work.
Part of Psychedelics
41 moments in this segment.
- — Mescaline (1897). The psychedelic of peyote and San Pedro, the first ever isolated (Arthur Heffter, 1897).
- — Mescaline (1897). The psychedelic of peyote and San Pedro, the first ever isolated (Arthur Heffter, 1897) (1897).
- — MDMA (1912). First made in 1912, rediscovered by Shulgin, and now in late-stage trials as a therapy for trauma (1912).
- — MDMA (1912). First made in 1912, rediscovered by Shulgin, and now in late-stage trials as a therapy for trauma.
- — DMT (1931). Dimethyltryptamine — the intense, short-acting psychedelic of ayahuasca, found throughout the natural world (1931).
- — DMT (1931). Dimethyltryptamine — the intense, short-acting psychedelic of ayahuasca, found throughout the natural world.
- — The Accidental Creation of LSD (The Origin of Bicycle Day). ) (1943).
- — What Is Bicycle Day? | Reactions (ACS). April 19th celebrates Bicycle Day? But what is this holiday dedicated to? Find out in this Reactions video!
- — LSD (the molecule) (1943). Lysergic acid diethylamide — the most potent psychedelic known, active in millionths of a gram.
- — LSD (the molecule) (1943). Lysergic acid diethylamide — the most potent psychedelic known, active in millionths of a gram (1943).
- — LSD (the molecule) (1943). Lysergic acid diethylamide — the most potent psychedelic known, active in millionths of a gram (1943).
- — LSD (the molecule) (1943). Lysergic acid diethylamide — the most potent psychedelic known, active in millionths of a gram (1943).
- — LSD blotter art (1975). The illustrated paper tabs that carried doses of acid — and became an underground art form (1975). This photograph dates from 1982.
- — LSD blotter art (1975). The illustrated paper tabs that carried doses of acid — and became an underground art form. The subject dates from 1975; this photograph was taken in 2006.
- — LSD blotter art (1975). The illustrated paper tabs that carried doses of acid — and became an underground art form (1975). The subject dates from 1975; this photograph was taken in 2007.
- — How Do Psychedelic Drugs Work on the Brain? | Imperial College London. How Do Psychedelic Drugs Work on the Brain? — The neuroscientist whose Imperial College brain-imaging showed how psychedelics quiet the mind's "default-mode network".
- — Ayahuasca: Characterization and Metabolism in Humans | MAPS. Ayahuasca: Characterization and Metabolism in Humans (2013).
- — LSD blotter art (1975). The illustrated paper tabs that carried doses of acid — and became an underground art form (1975). The subject dates from 1975; this photograph was taken in 2014.
- — Dr Robin Carhart-Harris - Psychedelics and Brain Imaging. neuroscientist Robin Carhart-Harris.
- — Prof. David Nutt - The Brain & Drugs: Time for a Neuroscience Revolution. psychopharmacologist David Nutt.
- — What Does LSD Do to Your Brain? | BBC Earth. What Does LSD Do to Your Brain? (2015).
- — Psychedelics: Lifting the Veil | Robin Carhart-Harris | TEDxWarwick. Psychedelics: Lifting the Veil — neuroscientist Robin Carhart-Harris.
- — What Happens to Your Brain on LSD? | SciShow. What Happens to Your Brain on LSD? (2016).
- — How Can Illegal Drugs Help Our Brains? | David Nutt | TEDxBrussels. How Can Illegal Drugs Help Our Brains? — psychopharmacologist David Nutt.
- — The Pharmacology of Ayahuasca | Dennis McKenna. The Pharmacology of Ayahuasca (2018).
- — Merck Digs Up Truth About Its Role in the Birth of Ecstasy | DW. Merck Digs Up Truth About Its Role in the Birth of Ecstasy (2018).
- — How Does MDMA (Ecstasy) Work?. ? (2018).
- — Prof. David Nutt - Psychedelics and the Neuroscientific Enlightenment. The British psychopharmacologist famously sacked as a government adviser for saying LSD was safer than alcohol.
- — Mike Jay - Mescaline: A Global History and Q&A | Breaking Convention. Mike Jay - Mescaline: A Global History and Q&A — Mescaline — the peyote psychedelic, the first ever isolated, in 1897.
- — Psilocybin: Biosynthesis, Mechanism of Action & Metabolism. (2020).
- — 2-Minute Neuroscience: LSD. (2020).
- — History of MDMA | Rick Doblin | The Long Now Foundation. History of MDMA (2020).
- — 2-Minute Neuroscience: MDMA. MDMA, better known as ecstasy, molly, or one of a number of other street names, is a stimulant drug with unique prosocial effects. In this video, I discuss the current understanding of how MDMA acts on the brain to produce its effects.
- — How Psychedelics Change the Brain | NOVA PBS. How Psychedelics Change the Brain (2022).
- — Psilocybin Synthesis in 4 Steps & How Magic Mushrooms Rewire the Brain. (2023).
- — Amanda Feilding - LSD Revealed | Beckley Foundation. Amanda Feilding - LSD Revealed (2023).
- — Psychedelics and Empathy | Rob Malenka | Wu Tsai Neurosciences. Why are psychiatrists taking a fresh look at MDMA? Recently, there's been growing excitement in the scientific community about revisiting the potential medical benefits of psychedelic drugs that have been off limits for decades. Scientists are discovering or rediscovering applications of psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, and other compounds for treating people with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- — Mescaline: History, Isolation, Synthesis, Pharmacology. (2024).
- — 2-Minute Neuroscience: Default Mode Network. (2025).
- — The Secret History of Mescaline | Bureau of Lost Culture. The Secret History of Mescaline (2025).
- — How Scientists Believe Psilocybin Rewires the Brain. (2025).
