Did Poe use LSD or similar hallucinogens?

-- Anonymous, July 07, 2001

Answers

THe common drugs of the nineteenth century were laudanum and opium. Poe supposedly once made a weak suicide attempt with some combo. Neither this nor his drinking had anything to do with his literary creations except when he delves into the dysfunctional mind of the alcoholic- mostly as a warning. No one really does any good work when drunk unless you like those grimy confessionals of life in the self-centered dumps. Ask Stephen King("On Writing.") The difference is that Poe was a poet visionary, in the wellsprings of his own emotions, imagination and dreams as enlightened by the literary tradition.

-- Anonymous, July 07, 2001