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source:wikipedia.org
11 Jan, 1906
29 Apr, 2008
Heart attack
Swiss
Chemist
102
Albert Hofmann, was a Swiss-born chemist who had a curious and restless mind. He is celebrated for the discovery that would change the world of science and human consciousness forever. He became the first person to synthesize, ingest, and unveil the extraordinary psychedelic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a substance that would ripple through the fields of psychiatry, culture, and personal exploration.
Albert Hofmann entered the world in the quiet town of Baden, Switzerland, on January 11, 1906. Born into modest beginnings as the eldest child of Adolf Hofmann, a factory toolmaker, and Elisabeth Schenk, he was shaped by the industriousness of his family. From a young age, Hofmann was determined to carve out his own path in life, securing a position as a commercial apprentice while pursuing his studies. These early years hinted at the balance he would maintain throughout his life—a devotion to both hard work and intellectual curiosity.
Hofmann’s mind, sharp and ever-searching, found its true passion in chemistry. He pursued this love at the University of Zurich, immersing himself in the intricate study of molecular structures. His breakthrough came with his research into chitin, a common animal substance, for which he was awarded his doctorate with distinction in 1929. This achievement was only the beginning, a prelude to the deeper discoveries that lay ahead.
After completing his studies, Hofmann embarked on a journey that would bridge the world of natural compounds and pharmaceuticals. He joined the pharmaceutical department of Sandoz Laboratories, a place where science met medicine, and it was here the unseen potentials of chemistry were explored.
It was here, in 1938, that Hofmann synthesized LSD for the first time as part of a research program focused on lysergic acid derivatives. However, at the time, the compound went unnoticed—its potential lying dormant, waiting for a fateful accident to bring it to light.
That moment came five years later, in 1943, when Hofmann, resynthesizing the compound, accidentally absorbed a small amount of it through his skin. The world, for a moment, altered itself before his eyes. His perception shifted, his consciousness expanded. Three days later, he chose to fully explore this mysterious new substance, ingesting 250 micrograms of LSD and embarking on the first intentional acid trip in history. His famous bicycle ride home, alongside his assistant, became a vivid journey of intense hallucinations and sensations that he would later meticulously document.
Hofmann’s discovery did not stop at LSD. He continued his work on psychedelic substances, delving into psilocybin and salvinorin. He advocated for the potential of these compounds to revolutionize psychiatry, psychotherapy, and personal growth. For Hofmann, these substances were more than just chemical curiosities—they were gateways to understanding the human mind in ways previously unimaginable.
Behind the legendary scientist was a man deeply rooted in family. Hofmann was married to Anita Hofmann, and together they raised four children. Despite the whirlwind of his professional achievements, his family remained a constant source of joy and stability in his life.
Albert Hofmann lived a long and fulfilling life, passing away in 2008 at the remarkable age of 102. His legacy, however, lives on in the minds of all who have sought to explore the edges of consciousness, just as he once did.
Albert Hofmann
Albert Hofmann
Male
Heart attack
Baden, Aargau, Switzerland
Burg im Leimental, Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland
Logician: Logicians are known for their innovative and inquisitive minds. Hofmann’s entire career was built on curiosity—exploring the unseen potentials of chemistry, experimenting with natural compounds, and eventually discovering LSD. His drive to understand the chemical nature of things, particularly how they affect human consciousness, speaks to the Logician’s endless pursuit of knowledge.
Albert Hofmann discovered the psychedelic drug LSD or acid in 1938.
He believed LSD could be used for the therapeutic treatment of schizophrenia.
LSD was eventually banned due to misuse by teens.
Albert Hofmann was awarded the Scheele Award by the Swedish Pharmaceutical Association in 1971.