Imagine a world where banana peels are believed to contain a psychoactive substance. In 1967, this strange notion took hold after a hoax recipe for extracting a substance called bananadine was published in a local newspaper. The recipe's origin was a ploy to add credibility to the joke, but it quickly spiraled out of control.
A few months prior, the hit song "Mellow Yellow" by Donovan had been released. Many interpreted the song as a reference to smoking banana peels. This cultural backdrop set the stage for the bizarre phenomenon of bananadine. On August 6, 1967, the New York Times Magazine even featured the substance in an article discussing drugs, which further fueled interest.
What started as a satirical comment on drug laws morphed into a nationwide obsession. According to reports, the public, including students and beatniks, gathered for "smokeouts" at Berkeley. The excitement peaked around Easter when New Yorkers participated in a 'be-in,' chanting 'banana-banana' and parading with a giant wooden banana.
The Food and Drug Administration became involved, investigating the supposed hallucinogenic effects of banana peels, much to the incredulity of many. This absurdity reached new heights when William Powell, taking the hoax seriously, included a method for making bananadine in his book, The Anarchist Cookbook, in 1970.
In a world already filled with strange urban legends about drugs, the bananadine hoax stands out as a testament to the lengths people will go to explore the absurd. The notion that a common fruit could alter perception captivated many, leading to a humorous yet bewildering chapter in American culture.
