Aug 123 min read

Basel Icons: Albert Hoffman

Although not born in Basel, Albert Hofmann was a world-renown scientist who, amongst his other important work, is know for having discovered LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) while working at Sandoz Laboratories in Basel.

"It's not just the familiar image, a little more distorted or colourful, it's a completely different program. And that's because LSD changes our senses, you see better, you hear better, everything is intensified” ― Albert Hofmann

Early Life

Albert Hofmann, the renowned Swiss chemist and pioneer, was born on January 11, 1906, in Baden, Aargau. Hofmann was one of four siblings, and his father worked as a toolmaker until he fell ill. This prompted Hofmann to support his family by pursuing higher education. He earned his Matura (Swiss high school diploma) and went on to pursue a PhD at the University of Zurich in 1926, successfully completing his doctoral studies after four years.

Hoffman at Sandoz Laboratories, Photo: Novartis archives

Hofmann’s education and hard work earned him a job at Sandoz Laboratories in Basel in 1929. This is where he expanded his interests and discoveries over four decades. Initially assigned to synthesize compounds from plants, he later developed and tested respiratory stimulants derived from ergot derivatives (a fungus that grows on rye and other grains). During this process, he accidentally discovered LSD-25 in 1938

Research

This was a significant discovery, but the effects were not yet known. It wasn’t until a few years later, in 1943, after returning to his previous research, that he discovered the hallucinogenic effects of LSD. On April 19, 1943, Hoffman, intentionally ingested 0.25 milligrams of the substance at his lab in Basel. Feeling unwell he cycled to his home in Bruderholz on what became a much more epic journey, as it was the first recorded LSD trip. What became known as ‘Bicycle Day’ is increasingly observed in psychedelic communities as a day to celebrate the discovery of LSD.

“I suddenly became strangely inebriated. The external world became changed as in a dream. Objects appeared to gain inrelief; they assumed unusual dimensions; and colours became more glowing. Even self-perception and the sense of time were changed. When the eyes were closed, coloured pictures flashed past in a quickly changing kaleidoscope. After a few hours, the not unpleasant inebriation, which had been experienced whilst I was fully conscious, disappeared.”― Albert Hofmann

Hoffman's notes and supplies, Photo: Kunstmuseum Basel

This began a series of self-experimentation to uncover the powerful properties of LSD. Hofmann wanted to explore its potential in psychiatric treatment and to determine if LSD could be useful for psychiatric and schizophrenic patients. Soon after its introduction in other countries, including the United States in 1948 by Sandoz, LSD showed promising effects. However, recreational and uncontrolled use of LSD led to a ban in many countries including Switzerland in 1971.

Despite this, Albert Hofmann advocated LSD’s hallucinogenic properties and its potential for controlled psychiatric and spiritual use. He expressed his disapproval of recreational and irresponsible LSD use during the 1960s and explained his ideas and research in his book LSD: My Problem Child (1980)."

Later Life and Legacy

While working at Sandoz Laboratories Hofmann became the director of natural products in 1956, working in this position until he retired in 1971. Following his retirement, he founded the Albert Hofmann foundation in 1988 to raise awareness and promote the responsible use of hallucinogens. Hofmann's research with LSD influenced several psychiatrists, including Ronald A. Sandison, who developed its use in psychotherapy.

Hofmann was very passionate to voice his opinion and research regarding LSD and other hallucinogens and contributed over 100 to scientific papers and books on the subject. Meanwhile he continued to take LSD in small doses to further his research. He died on 29 April, 2008 at the age of 102. Throughout his lifetime, Hofmann showed continuous dedication to the research of LSD as well as many other drugs, thus cementing his legacy in Basel.