Father of LSD dies at 102

expatbrian

Albert Hofmann, the father of LSD, whose medical discovery inspired millions in the 1960s, has died. He was 102.

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 in 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.

He said his initial experience resulted in "wonderful visions."

LSD or "acid" had a tremendous impact, not only on the behavior of those who took it, but on the music and art of our generation. I liked it, and have always believed it was an important if surreal part of my education.