Albert Hofmann; Inventor of LSD dead at the age of 102

[Regulator75]

GENEVA - Albert Hofmann, the father of the mind-altering drug LSD whose medical discovery inspired — and arguably corrupted — millions in the 1960s hippie generation, has died. He was 102.

Hofmann died Tuesday at his home in Burg im Leimental, said Doris Stuker, a municipal clerk in the village near Basel where Hofmann moved following his retirement in 1971.

For decades after LSD was banned in the late 1960s, Hofmann defended his invention.

"I produced the substance as a medicine. ... It's not my fault if people abused it," he once said.

The Swiss chemist discovered lysergic acid diethylamide-25 in 1938 while studying the medicinal uses of a fungus found on wheat and other grains at the Sandoz pharmaceuticals firm in Basel.

He became the first human guinea pig of the drug when a tiny amount of the substance seeped onto his finger during a laboratory experiment on April 16, 1943.

"I had to leave work for home because I was suddenly hit by a sudden feeling of unease and mild dizziness," he subsequently wrote in a memo to company bosses.

"Everything I saw was distorted as in a warped mirror," he said, describing his bicycle ride home. "I had the impression I was rooted to the spot. But my assistant told me we were actually going very fast."

Upon reaching home, Hofmann began experiencing what he called "wonderful visions."

Three days later, Hofmann experimented with a larger dose. The result was the world's first scientifically documented bad trip.

"The substance which I wanted to experiment with took over me. I was filled with an overwhelming fear that I would go crazy. I was transported to a different world, a different time," Hofmann wrote.

Hofmann and his scientific colleagues hoped that LSD would make an important contribution to psychiatric research. The drug exaggerated inner problems and conflicts and thus it was hoped that it might be used to recognize and treat mental illnesses like schizophrenia.

For a time, Sandoz sold LSD 25 under the name Delysid, encouraging doctors to try it themselves. It was one of the strongest drugs in medicine — with just one gram enough to drug an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 people for 12 hours.

LSD was elevated to international fame in the late 1950s and 1960s thanks to Harvard professor Timothy Leary who embraced the drug under the slogan "turn on, tune in, drop out."

But away from the psychedelic trips, horror stories emerged about people going on murder sprees or jumping out of windows while hallucinating. Heavy users suffered permanent psychological damage.

The U.S. government banned LSD in 1966 and other countries followed suit.

Hofmann maintained this was unfair, arguing that the drug was not addictive. He repeatedly argued for the ban to be lifted to allow LSD to be used in medical research.

Last December, Swiss authorities decided to allow LSD for psychotherapy in exceptional cases.

"For me, this is a very big wish come true. I always wanted to see LSD get its proper place in medicine," he told Swiss TV at the time.

Hofmann himself took the drug — purportedly on an occasional basis and out of scientific interest — for several decades.

"LSD can help open your eyes," he once said. "But there are other ways — meditation, dance, music, fasting."

Even so, the self described "father" of LSD readily agreed that the drug was dangerous if in the wrong hands. This was reflected by the title of his 1979 book: "LSD - my problem child."

In it he wrote that, "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."

Hofmann retired from Sandoz in 1971 and devoted his time to travel, writing and lectures.

"This is really a high point in my advanced age," Hofmann said at a ceremony in Basel honoring him on his 100th birthday. "You could say it is a consciousness-raising experience without LSD."

[Sample00]

have a good trip, Doc!

[Iggy's Forehead]

I don't know if I'll get in trouble for saying this..but I'd really like to try LSD. I don't think it's really available these days, compared to these meth infested drugs that are out there.

[troutman]

Take acid. Live to 100.

And you will feel like it was 500 years.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

Three days later, Hofmann experimented with a larger dose. The result was the world's first scientifically documented bad trip.

Lol. I'm still recovering from a bad trip I had when camping about 10 years ago. A trip bad enough that I never touched the stuff again.

[icarus]

I used it about 5-7 times when I was younger, a few times when camping and I never had a bad trip. I also read a bit about Albert Hoffman at that time as I really got interested in how it worked and where it came from. So, RIP Albert.

[tussery]

At first glance I read Abbie Hoffman and thought "The only thing he invented was the on stage ass whooping from Pete Townshend"

[tete]

At a former job, I worked with the records of a Canadian psychiatrist who did significant research into treating schizophrenia with LSD. It was seriously groundbreaking stuff and really really interesting.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Iggy's Forehead

I don't know if I'll get in trouble for saying this..but I'd really like to try LSD. I don't think it's really available these days, compared to these meth infested drugs that are out there.

It's still easily one of the most accessible (illegal) drugs out there. Shoot anything is accessible in Calgary (or most places) Lots of money out there.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Lol. I'm still recovering from a bad trip I had when camping about 10 years ago. A trip bad enough that I never touched the stuff again.

Yeah it's interesting stuff. I know a few people who've done so much they have really bad memories, even 'not quite all there' sometimes. On the other hand, I also know lots of people who had profound life changing experiences on it for the better.

It's like anything else. Moderation. Water will kill ya in large enough doses, and small amounts of alcohol is good for ya.

As for the legal/moral aspect of it I still don't know how the government can tell you what you can or cannot put inside your body...

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Yeah it's interesting stuff. I know a few people who've done so much they have really bad memories, even 'not quite all there' sometimes. On the other hand, I also know lots of people who had profound life changing experiences on it for the better.

It's like anything else. Moderation. Water will kill ya in large enough doses, and small amounts of alcohol is good for ya.

As for the legal/moral aspect of it I still don't know how the government can tell you what you can or cannot put inside your body...

Well in Canada where there is "universal" health care...it might be in the Goverments best interest to get the message out about what you can or cannot put inside your body, since alot of money is spent on treating people who thanks to what they did put in their body, require it....

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

Well in Canada where there is "universal" health care...it might be in the Goverments best interest to get the message out about what you can or cannot put inside your body, since alot of money is spent on treating people who thanks to what they did put in their body, require it....

More people damage their body (more seriously might I add) with cigarettes, alcohol, and greasy food.

EDIT: Besides, we all know for western nations anyway, the drug 'war' starts in the States. And they don't have uni health care.

[FlamesAddiction]

I've did it a few times when I was younger and it's hard to imagine that those stories of people jumping out of windows and going on murderous rages are true.

It can be dangerous though. It has been proven to actually heighten mental illnesses in people already having them and not realizing it.

[icarus]

Has anyone actually gone on a murderous rage while on acid? Alcohol I could believe, but acid? That would be a bit much to ask of someone on an acid trip.

[Vulcan]

I used to do it now and then, back in the 60s but I think mescaline was better. As he says, "there are other ways" and in my experience, better ways to reach this state.

Drugs can take away my control, something I don't like anymore.

I had worse trips when I ate mushrooms. (Which are rampant on Vancouver Island...)

[Russic]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Lol. I'm still recovering from a bad trip I had when camping about 10 years ago. A trip bad enough that I never touched the stuff again.

I'm kind of ignorant to the after effects and had no idea they could last that long. When you say you are still recovering what do you mean (if you don't mind me asking)?

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Russic

I'm kind of ignorant to the after effects and had no idea they could last that long. When you say you are still recovering what do you mean (if you don't mind me asking)?

Lol. I was feigning traumatization. It was a bad trip that involved getting lost in the woods, a bear and some serious hallucinations that I only talk about when I'm drunk.

[pylon]

Only recreational drug experience in my entire life was acid, and once was enough for me. Even as funny as seeing a giant elephant repeatedly jumping back and forth from the roof of a highschool to the roof of the 7-11 across the street sounds, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

[FireFly]

This is one of the drugs I've never done... Not sure why I never did it, no opportunity I guess.

It's also the only drug my mother ever did. And she only did it once. Sat on a beach for 12 hours... ah mom. Who starts with acid?