Aykroyd's Crystal Head Vodka is named after several crystal skulls that are famous in the metaphysical community. They gained popularity in the early 1900s, the most popular made famous by F.A. Mithcell Hedges, a British adventurer and author. In his biography Hedges wrote: "It is at least 3,600 years old and according to legend it was used by the High Priest of the Maya when he was performing esoteric rites. It is said that when he willed death with the help of the skull, death invariably followed." The origins of this skull, and similar skulls that surfaced around the same time, is in dispute. A skull very similar to the Mitchell-Hedges skull is on display at the British Museum, where they have dated its origins to the 18th century.

The popularity of these skulls led to them being the focus of the latest Indiana Jones movie, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. In the movie the skulls hold special powers, and belonged to inter-dimensional beings. Even the alien that crashed in Roswell, New Mexico turns out to be one. Although it is right down his alley, Aykroyd had nothing to do with the movie. Producer Steven Spielberg has said that the movie was actually George Lucas' idea.

Aykroyd has paranormal pedigree, as his grandfather, Samuel Augustus Aykroyd, was a mystic and a spiritualist. The crystal skulls were probably one of many paranormal topics that were discussed in Aykroyd's family. Many of the terms and equipment used in Ghostbusters are really used in paranormal investigations. Although they don't wear proton packs, even the ghost hunters on TV these days use Ghostbusters' vernacular. The movie used paranormal vocabulary similar to the way Star Trek peppers scientific terms throughout its dialogue.

Although he is familiar with the gamut of paranormal subjects, Aykroyd shows a particular interest in UFOs. He was the pro-UFO representative on Larry King Live on April 30, 2010. Aykroyd was among a panel of scientists brought together to discuss Stephen Hawking's statements on the possible malevolent nature of would-be cosmic visitors. His vast knowledge of UFO research is best documented in an interview lasting over an hour long that is featured on the 2005 DVD, Dan Aykroyd Unplugged on UFOs.

I was extremely thrilled to have the opportunity to talk with Aykroyd, and although he was busy, he was very nice and seemed excited to talk about UFOs. We asked him about the naming of his Vodka, the response he has had to his UFO video, his thoughts on the UFO community, and about a rumor that he had acquired video of a famous UFO sighting over the Chicago O'Hare airport in 2008.