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From Times Online
April 30, 2008

Father of LSD Albert Hofmann dies at age of 102

Jenny Booth

Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who discovered the mind-altering drug LSD seventy years ago, has died at his home at the age of 102.

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

The hallucinogen inspired, and arguably corrupted, millions in the 1960s hippie generation. For decades after it 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.

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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 repeat of the 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.

As he cycled home the strange feelings intensified, he wrote. “Everything I saw was distorted as in a warped mirror. 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 sat down on a divan and began experiencing what he called “wonderful visions”.

“What I was thinking appeared in colors and in pictures,” he told Swiss television network SF DRS, in a programme marking his 100th birthday two years ago. “It lasted for a couple of hours and then it disappeared.”

Three days later, Hofmann experimented with a larger dose, but recounted that the result was a horror 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.

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R.I.P.

simon spencer, falmouth, england

Current research on psychedelics may be found in the 2-volume set "Psychedelic Medicine: New Evidence for Hallucinogens as Treatments," (2007), edited by Michael Winkelman and myself.

Tom Roberts

Tom Roberts, DeKalb, IL., USA

He was survived by 3 of his five children. You forgot the problem child.

Marc S., Central Jersey, USA

A remarkable man by any standards; the world is a lesser place without him. I personally credit LSD with saving my life by making me experience (safely; there was never physical risk) impending death on a bad trip. From that day 25+ years ago, suicide was never an option; prior to that it was.

Rich, Maine, USA

God bless Albert Hoffman. When considering genuine research on LSD (ie Richard Alpert,Stansilav Grof..) it is sad to acknowledge that the benefits are seldom made known to a wider audience. I firmly believe that LSD has therapeutic potential for the good of mankind.

kevin, london, britain

Albert Hoffman gave the world a very special gift, the insight and the tools to show what the human mind is capable of, He will not be forgotten.

James, London, UK

Thanks, Albert. Maybe some day we'll all learn.

Remi André Ødegård, Gjøvik, Norway

Albert did more to change the course of the latter part of the 20th century than most politicians. We have still yet to understand the full potential of LSD, and new research is starting. God blessed Albert with longevity for creating the divine molecule, the antidote to the atomic bomb.

Steve, Birmingham,

Albert was a very significant individual in the greater scheme of things. He was a special element and what he did, or was chosen for was an honourable role of a high order. He fulfilled his destiny and more....he must have been a glowing spirit... a beautifull sole. He's where he belongs now..

Pat, dublin, ireland

RIP

Peter, San Salvador,

I love you, Albert Hoffman.

Al, London,

Thank you Albert Hofmann-R.I.P

Linda Bowyer, arlington, usa

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