Who Is Alexander Shulgin? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on June 17, 1925, Alexander Shulgin was an innovative American chemist and a pioneering figure in the exploration of psychoactive substances. His groundbreaking work in the field of medicinal chemistry and psychopharmacology established him as a leading figure in the study of psychedelic compounds. Shulgin is best known for popularizing the compounds MDMA and numerous other psychoactive substances that he synthesized and studied extensively. His contributions to both academic and recreational drug communities have sparked conversations on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.
Shulgin passed away on June 2, 2014, but his impactful legacy continues to influence both scientific research and public interest in psychedelics today.
| Occupation | Pharmacologist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 17, 1925 |
| Age | 88 Years |
| Birth Place | Berkeley, California, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 2 June, 2014 |
| Died Place | Lafayette, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Alexander Shulgin's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific information regarding Shulgin's height and weight may not be documented in detail, it's common for chemists of his era to maintain average physical statistics relating to the respective standards of health.
- Height: Approximately 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
- Weight: Estimated around 160 lbs (72 kg)
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Alexander Shulgin was married to Ann Shulgin, who was also a noted author and psychotherapist. The couple shared a deep connection that was largely influenced by their mutual interests in science and psychedelics, co-authoring several books that reflect their shared experiences and research. The Shulgin household was often a gathering place for thinkers, researchers, and enthusiasts drawn to the exploration of human consciousness.
As of 2025, Shulgin remains a celebrated figure in the psychoactive community, with his works continuing to find relevance in various discussions surrounding drug policy reform and psychedelic therapy.
In 1991 and 1997, he and his wife Ann Shulgin compiled the books PiHKAL and TiHKAL (Phenethylamines I Have Known And Loved, likewise for Tryptamines), from notebooks that extensively described their work and personal experiences with these two classes of psychoactive drugs. Shulgin documented the chemical synthesis of many of these compounds.
Some of the syntheses catalogued by Shulgin in his books include chemicals in the 2C family (such as 2C-B), compounds of the DOx family (such as DOM), and tryptamines (such as 4-HO-MET and 4-HO-MiPT).
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Alexander Shulgin's net worth was estimated to be several million dollars, considering his extensive work, books published, and influence in the field. Although precise figures of his salary during his lifetime may not be extensively documented, his pioneering research and consulting contributed to his financial standing. As of 2025, his estate continues to generate interest, especially through the ongoing discussions surrounding the legitimacy and potential market for psychotropic substances.
Career, Business and Investments
Shulgin began his professional career as a chemist and later transitioned into exploring the synthesis of psychoactive compounds. He was affiliated with various research projects and institutions throughout his career. Shulgin’s most significant contributions include the synthesis of MDMA, which was initially developed in the 1970s for therapeutic purposes. He published his findings in his lab notes, which have since been made available posthumously to inform contemporary research.
His work encompassed not only basic research but also entrepreneurship, with various endeavors related to the commercialization of psychoactive substances. His unique insights into altering human consciousness through chemical means have sparked a resurgence of interest in psychedelic therapy within the medical and psychological fields.
Shulgin's professional activities continued to lean in the direction of psychopharmacology, furthered by his personal experiences with psychedelics. But during this period he was unable to do much independent research.
His opportunity for further research came in 1961 after his development of Zectran, the first biodegradable pesticide, a highly profitable product. In his book PiHKAL, Shulgin limits his pesticide days at Dow Chemical to one sentence in 978 pages. Dow Chemical Company, in return for Zectran's valuable patent, gave Shulgin great freedom.
During this time, he created and patented drugs when Dow asked, and published findings on other drugs in journals such as Nature and the Journal of Organic Chemistry. One of these patents, approved in 1970, involved phenethylamines. Eventually, Dow Chemical requested that he no longer use their name on his publications.
Social Network
Although Shulgin has passed away, his legacy continues to live on in various communities and social platforms. He is frequently discussed in forums pertaining to drug studies, psychology, and psychoactive research:
- Twitter: Various accounts dedicated to psychedelic research and awareness often reference Shulgin's work.
- Facebook Groups: Several online communities are devoted to discussing his contributions and the ensuing impact of psychedelics on modern therapy.
- Reddit: Subreddits dedicated to psychopharmacology frequently share insights related to Shulgin's findings and personal anecdotes.
Alexander Theodore "Sasha" Shulgin (June 17, 1925 – June 2, 2014) was an American biochemist, broad researcher of synthetic psychoactive compounds, and author of works regarding these, who independently explored the organic chemistry and pharmacology of such agents—in his mid-life and later, many through preparation in his home laboratory, and
testing on himself.
He is acknowledged to have introduced to broader use, in the late 1970s, the previously-synthesized compound MDMA ("ecstasy"), in research psychopharmacology and in combination with conventional therapy, the latter through presentations and academic publications, including to psychologists; and for the rediscovery, occasional discovery, and regular
synthesis and personal use and distribution, of possibly hundreds of psychoactive compounds (for their psychedelic and MDMA-like empathogenic bioactivities).
As such, Shulgin is seen both as a pioneering and a controversial participant in the emergence of the broad use of psychedelics.
Education
Alexander Shulgin obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and later earned a PhD in biochemistry from the same institution. In addition to his formal education, Shulgin continually expanded his knowledge through self-directed learning and experimentation, exemplifying a hands-on approach to scientific inquiry that influenced his research and practical applications in the field of psychoactive substances.
Shulgin studied organic chemistry at Harvard University as a scholarship student, and was enrolled there at the age of 16. He dropped out to join the U.S. Navy, during his second year at Harvard.
In 1944 a military nurse gave Shulgin a glass of orange juice prior to a surgery for a thumb infection, while serving on USS Pope during World War II; he drank the juice and, assuming that crystals at the bottom of the glass were a sedative, "fell unconscious".
Upon waking he learned that the crystals were undissolved sugar, and that doctors had administered anesthesia after he was already unconscious—an experience Drake Bennett of The New York Times Magazine referred to as "revelatory", and a "tantalizing hint of the mind's odd strength", as "his collapse was caused entirely by the placebo effect".