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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 illness 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.

Hofmann discovered the drug had a similar chemical structure to psychedelic mushrooms and herbs used in religious ceremonies by Mexican Indians.

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”. The film star Cary Grant and numerous rock musicians extolled its virtues in achieving true self-discovery and enlightenment.

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

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

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

He 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. He devoted his time to travel, writing and lectures, which often reflected his growing interest with philosophy and religious questions.

He remained active, going for walks in the small picturesque village where he lived in the Swiss Jura mountains, a stone’s throw from the French border. He spoke at a Basel ceremony honoring him on his 100th birthday.

“This is really a high point in my advanced age,” Hofmann said. “You could say it is a consciousness-raising experience without LSD.”

Hofmann is survived by two of his four children. He was predeceased by his wife Anita.

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