Overview

Albert Hofmann (1906–2008) was a Swiss chemist best known for discovering Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) at Sandoz Laboratories in Basel. His serendipitous self-experiment in 1943 revealed its powerful psychoactive properties, marking the birth of the modern psychedelic era.

Early Work

Hofmann studied the chemical constituents of ergot, a fungus on rye. His goal was to find medicinal derivatives. While re-synthesizing LSD-25 in 1943, he accidentally absorbed a small dose and experienced its effects—becoming the first human to undergo an LSD trip.

The LSD Discovery

On April 19, 1943, Hofmann intentionally ingested 250 µg of LSD, then rode his bicycle home, experiencing vivid perceptual changes—an event later commemorated as Bicycle Day.
He described the experience as both deeply unsettling and profoundly meaningful, setting the tone for later psychedelic discourse.

Sandoz and Distribution

Under his guidance, Sandoz Laboratories produced and distributed LSD as “Delysid” to psychiatrists and researchers worldwide, believing it could serve as a model psychosis or a tool for psychotherapy.

Later Work

Hofmann later isolated and synthesized Psilocybin from Psilocybe mexicana, bridging Western pharmacology with indigenous knowledge of the Mazatec people and María Sabina’s rituals.

Philosophy and Legacy

Hofmann viewed psychedelics as “sacred medicines” capable of reconnecting humanity with nature and spirit. In his later years, he criticized recreational misuse but advocated for careful, meaningful exploration. His memoir, LSD_ My Problem Child (1980), reflects this balance of scientific curiosity and spiritual reverence.