by Angelo Natoli
Dr. Albert Hoffman, the scientist who first discovered and ingested the powerful hallucinogenic drug LSD-25 (more commonly known as acid), passed away on April 29th at the age of 102.
Hoffman was born January 11, 1906 in Baden, Switzerland. Hoffman studied chemistry at the University of Zürich.
 After receiving his doctorate he was hired for the pharmaceutical-chemical department of Sandoz Laboratories in Basel, Switzerland. Hoffman was studying the ergot fungus that grows on moldy rye bread, and in 1938, he inadvertently created LSD-25 so named because it was the 25th chemical synthesized from the ergot fungus.
The purpose of the experiment was to create a respiratory and circulatory stimulant. LSD-25 was considered a failure and was shelved for five years. On April 16, 1943 when Hoffman decided to give the drug another look he accidentally spilt a small amount of LSD on his hand and what came about was the first ever acidtrip.
Although known almost exclusively as the founder of LSD, Hoffman’s career involved the study of several other hallucinogenic chemicals.
While acting as director of the natural products department of Sandoz labs, Hoffman was able to successfully synthesize psilocybin, the ingredient in “magic mushrooms” that causes hallucinations.
Hoffman was also interested in the “Ska Maria Pastora” plant, also known as, Salvia divinorum, although he was never able to identify the substance in the plant that causes hallucinations.
When asked about his thoughts on the drug he commonly referred to it as his problem child. He said, “deliberate provocation of mystical experience, particularly by LSD and related hallucinogens, in contrast to spontaneous visionary experiences, entails dangers that must not be underestimated. Practitioners must take into account the peculiar effects of these substances, namely their ability to influence our consciousness, the innermost essence of our being.
The history of LSD to date amply demonstrates the catastrophic consequences that can ensue when its profound effect is misjudged and the substance is mistaken for a pleasure drug. Special internal and external advance preparations are required; with them, an LSD experiment can become a meaningful experience.” And that “I believe that if people would learn to use LSD’s vision-inducing capability more wisely, under suitable conditions, in medical practice and in conjunction with meditation, then in the future this problem child could become a wonder child.”
In December 2007, one of Hoffman’s dream finally came true: the Swiss government has permitted a psychotherapist to perform psychotherapeutic experiments on terminally ill patients. While Hoffman didn’t live to get to see the first experiment take place, this is the first time in 35 years that Hoffman’s drug will be legally used. Hoffman referred to LSD as “medicine for the soul” and was saddened by the fact that the drug was demonized for it’s associations with the counter culture movement of the 60’s and 70’s.
Regardless of if you agree with Hoffman on his creations merits or not, Dr. Albert Hoffman has left a lasting mark on the world and will be dearly missed. |
