Sci-Fi Story Involving Illegal Drug that Turns User into Insane Super-Genius

[vbmoneyspender]

Story was written before the 1980s - most likely from the 60s or 70s involving a character who takes an illegal drug that turns him into a maniacal super genius.

I believe part of the story involved an ancient alien maze which the character uses the drug to navigate and/or escape into. I'm a little sketchy on this part.

The story is not Rogue Moon.

 

[Matteo]

I suppose you came across The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg when you searched?

In case not, it's not a close fit but maybe time has dimmed certain aspects for you; the main character isn't a super genius but after being in contact with aliens he finds that he gives off mental waves that make people sick to be near. He then exiles himself on a alien planet that has an enormous (and dangerous) maze.

 

[Matteo]

Unless it's Flowers for Algernon? But then the character is given the drugs (and is not exactly maniacal) and the maze is for a mouse, so that doesn't quite fit either.

 

[vbmoneyspender]

I suppose you came across The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg when you searched?

In case not, it's not a close fit but maybe time has dimmed certain aspects for you; the main character isn't a super genius but after being in contact with aliens he finds that he gives off mental waves that make people sick to be near. He then exiles himself on a alien planet that has an enormous (and dangerous) maze.

Yes, thanks for the suggestion. I don't remember the story following that outline, though. It was more of where he was being chased to another world and took the drug as a last ditch effort to avoid being captured and then entered the maze.

 

[vbmoneyspender]

Unless it's Flowers for Algernon? But then the character is given the drugs (and is not exactly maniacal) and the maze is for a mouse, so that doesn't quite fit either.

Yes, thanks. I am familiar with Flowers for Algernon. But in this story, there was space travel involved.