Don't deny that using something for thousands of years doesn't add at least a little bit of plausibility to the idea that in moderate amounts alcohol can be safe. Statistics can be as powerful as chemistry or pharmacology. As much as one might have the tendency to portray alcohol as a super evil drug just because it's legal and socially acceptable, that's not really the case. Alcohol in moderation is hardly more dangerous than occasional psychedelic use.
Just because humans have been doing something for thousands of years doesn't make it safe, wise, or anything really, aside from traditional, and sometimes not even that... mescaline's been used for at least 6kyrs and possession of that will get you arrested in most of the world. Or take religion for example, been around about as long as people and generally causes strife, ignorance, bigotry & violence. This doesn't mean that it can't be used for good, it quite often is (i.e. Habitat for Humanity, sending droves of volunteers to the gulf coast after Katrina etc). It just means that its probably a net loss for humanity, given all the wars, dark ages, guilt associated with sex & such. The problem with alcohol is that it doesn't lend itself to moderation. It is a both addicting and habituating substance. Granted a couple tall, cold ones after a long day is, in my opinion, an excellent way to relax, but would the whole of humanity likely be better off without it? Like with religion & guns the answer is almost certainly yes. However, we're stuck with all three
There is nothing particularly "right" or noble in rejecting such ambitions either. It's one thing to do something useful and help people out while giving up such ambitions and another thing to just sit on your ass all day and "fight the man".
Fair enough, but there's nothing inherently right or noble about embracing them either. Goal oriented behavior & altruism are satisfying to most humans, regardless of their acceptance or rejection of middle class ambitions. Sitting in a cubicle at a bank or insurance firm in order to purchase unnecessary shit is not really any better than sitting on the couch all day watching sitcoms.
I would think one way in which LSD is bad for some people is that it can trigger underlying mental health problems and really mess up your mental state (like Syd Barret). But that's not really the LSD, as quite a few things could act like a trigger.
Its impossible to say which contributing factors cause someone to "lose it" mentally like syd barret. In this respect I wouldn't think LSD is any more or less likely to cause an underlying or managable mental illness to be brought to the surface than any other psychedelic, or possibly any other intoxicating drug. Speed, booze, & opiates have their fair share of nutcases as well...
P.S. I love LSD and I think its an awesome chemical, but I also dislike elitist statements on how alcohol is the root of all evil et al. Alcohol has it purpose in our society and if you don't recognize its benefits you're not much better than than the "LSD will make you jump out of the window" crowd. Not everyone would be into shrooms or LSD even if they where legal.
I wouldn't equate the two groups. Most criticism of alcohol is based on logical thought and critical thinking, whereas most criticism of LSD stems from ignorance & government propaganda. Plus, criticism of LSD is inextricably linked to the "War on Drugs," which is one of the most horrendous things the U.S. government has done, and that's saying a lot.... LSD certainly has more to offer humanity than alcohol does. There are a million better ways to relax besides drinking... However, I do think I'm bout to go have a beer on my front porch, and speaking of toxins, I'll probably have a cigarette as well...%)
