Rest In Peace: Albert Hofmann
c>log
Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who discovered LSD died yesterday at his home in Basel, Switzerland. He was 102 years old. In his career he formulated many compounds that have been widely used in medicine over the years, but it is his accidental discovery and subsequent encounter with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) for which he will be remembered.
Hofmann first synthesized the controversial compound in 1938, but 5 years later in his laboratory on April 16, 1943 at 4:20 p.m. he accidentally got some LSD on his fingertips during an experiment and the world's first acid trip began.
Intrigued by LSD's peculiar qualities, Hofmann decided to ingest a larger dose of the substance again three days later and he experienced the world's first bad acid trip. Little did he know that he had created the substance that fueled the societal changes of the 1960s.
He would later describe LSD as his "problem child." After dozens of acid trips, Hofmann eventually gave up the use of psychedelics altogether saying "I know LSD; I don't need to take it anymore." LSD has been banned in the United States since 1966.
Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who discovered LSD died yesterday at his home in Basel, Switzerland. He was 102 years old. In his career he formulated many compounds that have been widely used in medicine over the years, but it is his accidental discovery and subsequent encounter with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) for which he will be remembered.
 |
| "I was forced to interrupt my work in the laboratory in the middle of the afternoon and proceed home, being affected by a remarkable restlessness, combined with slight dizziness." "At home, I lay down and sank into a not-unpleasant intoxicated-like condition, characterized by an extremely stimulated imagination. In a dreamlike state I perceived an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors. After some two hours, this condition faded away." |
Intrigued by LSD's peculiar qualities, Hofmann decided to ingest a larger dose of the substance again three days later and he experienced the world's first bad acid trip. Little did he know that he had created the substance that fueled the societal changes of the 1960s.
| "Everything in the room spun around, and the familiar objects and pieces of furniture assumed grotesque, threatening forms." |
He would later describe LSD as his "problem child." After dozens of acid trips, Hofmann eventually gave up the use of psychedelics altogether saying "I know LSD; I don't need to take it anymore." LSD has been banned in the United States since 1966.
Comments