Duncan Trussell Family Hour 732: William Leonard Pickard
Jan 12, 2026
William Leonard Pickard, once dubbed the 'Acid King' of the 90s, shares his fascinating journey from LSD manufacturing to life behind bars. He discusses psychedelic culture and the sacredness of clandestine lab work, likening it to a monastic craft. William reflects on his correspondence with Terence McKenna and explores the profound lessons learned during his imprisonment. He also touches on the impact of modern technology and the responsibilities tied to AI development, wrapping up with insights on his new projects.
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Episode notes
Transformative High-School LSD Experience
- Duncan describes how LSD in high school profoundly changed his life and opened mystical experiences.
- He credits LSD with lasting mood improvements and creative awakening during that period.
Psychedelics May Promote Neurogenesis
- Duncan highlights emerging research showing psychedelics can cause neurogenesis and treat depression and PTSD.
- He warns some people have genetic predispositions to negative reactions and urges careful research.
Research Psychedelics Before Trying
- Duncan explicitly advises caution: research thoroughly and consider brain-development risks if under mid-20s.
- He warns that psychedelics can cause severe negative outcomes for some people and to take them seriously.
