Albert Hofmann, a scientist who accidentally discovered and created the drug Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in 1938, has died today at the age 102.
StopTheDrugWar.com reports that Hofmann's died of a heart attack in his house located in Basel, Switzerland.
After discovering LSD, Albert Hofmann set it aside for five years, until April 16, 1943, when Hofmann decided to take another look at it. While re-synthesizing the LSD, he accidentally consumed a small sample and serendipitously discovered its powerful effects. Three days later, on April 19, Hofmann deliberately consumed 250 micrograms of LSD before his bicycle ride home.
He is now known as the first person to experience a 'trip' from taking it. Since then, LSD aficionados around the world unofficially proclaimed April 19, 1943 as Bicycle Day.
Despite that, Albert Hofmann denounced the illegal use of the drug which became popular in the 1960's. He was also said to be disappointed that further research was not conducted on it at the time.
Hofmann is also credited with the discovery of psilocybin, which is the main hallucinogenic found in Psilocybin mushrooms. He also discovered the make-up of Ololiuqui.
Hofmann was also on the Nobel Prize committee as well as a member of the American Society of Pharmacognosy and several other organizations.
Albert Hofmann was born on January 11, 1906. He is survived by his brother Walter, 2 daughters, and 2 sons.
Source:
* Wikinews
* Scott Morgan "Dr. Albert Hofmann, Father of LSD, Dead at 102". Drug War Chronicle, April 29, 2008
* "Obituary: Albert Hofmann". The Daily Telegraph, April 29, 2008
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
