Author(s): Norman Ohler

History | Germany | USA

A brilliant and original investigation into the medical origins of LSD and how the Nazis and the CIA turned it into a weapon, by the author of Blitzed. First used as a drug capable of treating mental illnesses, then as a 'truth serum' by the CIA, Tripped reveals how the fortuitous discovery of LSD in April 1943 led to a mass exploitation of this promising hallucinogen. Using archival material, Norman Ohler brings to light the often misguided interaction between scientific research, state authorities and hedonistic drug culture that shaped drug policy in the twentieth century. With a cast of characters ranging from Albert Hofmann to the Federal Bureau of Narcotics; Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley; and Aldous Huxley and John Lennon, this is Ohler at his thrilling, revelatory best.

Review: Utterly fascinating and illuminating. In tracing the curious origins of LSD as a drug and as a cultural phenomenon - a compulsive maze-like trail that takes in obscure Swiss institutes, the rise of Nazi Germany, the philosophy of brainwashing, CIA conspiracies, the White House and Elvis Presley - Norman Ohler also cleverly throws fresh light on the Cold War that dominated the late twentieth century: a global struggle for psychological supremacy and psychic liberation. On top of all this, his storytelling is not only beguiling but - by the end - profoundly moving as well. It is possible that LSD will have a part to play in all our medical futures: this gripping and deeply felt book will tell you why -- Sinclair McKay, author of Berlin
A fascinating book about the battle for LSD, which shines a light on the relationship between antagonistic powers, secret services and the medical industry. An astonishing read, with remarkably vivid protagonists. -- Harald Jahner, author of Aftermath
In this superb sequel to Blitzed, Tripped is a riveting and witty book about the obscured history of LSD. From the Swiss scientist and corporation that created the powerful hallucinogenic, the Nazis, G-men and spooks that criminalized the chemical to the current boom in psychedelic research and startups: Tripped shows the awesome power of acid. Meticulously researched and deeply personal, Norman Ohler weaves a masterful tapestry of history in this revealing and fresh account -- David de Jong, author of Nazi Billionaires
A brilliant expose of how Dr Albert Hofmann's epic discovery of LSD got lost in the ensuing war on drugs and the corollary, its misuse for mind-control, that hurt him personally and has hampered investigation into the potential therapeutic and spiritual benefits of the pharmaceutical -- Professor Carl Ruck, author of The Road to Eleusis
Norman Ohler's fascinating study involves Nazis, the CIA, and LSD in an engaging narrative that provides a mind-altering history of "brain warfare" and exposes the Cold War psychedelic fantasies of many within the US scientific and intelligence communities. A must read for those interested in understanding the apocalyptic mindset of the nascent superpower rivalry -- Edward B. Westermann, author of Drunk on Genocide
With cracking prose, Norman Ohler's Tripped is high-octane history writing, rich in acidic humour. You'll be in ecstasy -- Joseph Pearson, author of My Grandfather's Knife
"Nazis, Big Pharma, and American special agents, oh my!" Ohler takes the reader on a journey down some of the lesser-known dark alleys of psychedelic history. From promising medical treatment to weapons of war and criminal nuisance and back again, Tripped recounts some of the hidden origins behind the rise and fall (and subsequent rebirth) of research into LSD and similar substances. An engrossing read, full of mystery and intrigue. -- P.W. Barber, author of Psychedelic Revolutionaries

Author Biography: Norman Ohler is an award-winning novelist and screenwriter. He is the author of The Infiltrators and the New York Times bestseller Blitzed, as well as the novels Die Quotenmaschine (the world's first hypertext novel), Mitte and Stadt des Goldes (translated into English as Ponte City) and the historical crime novel Die Gleichung des Lebens. He lives in Berlin.