Albert Hofmann's First LSD Self-Dose
Albert Hofmann, a Swiss chemist, intentionally ingested LSD after discovering its psychedelic effects three days earlier. On this occasion, he rode his bicycle home from his laboratory in Basel, Switzerland, experiencing vivid hallucinations and altered perception. This day marks the first known intentional self-experimentation with LSD, a substance later classified as a powerful psychedelic.
Albert Hofmann synthesized LSD in 1938.
First intentional dose followed accidental discovery.
The bicycle ride inspired the term 'Bicycle Day.'
LSD later influenced psychedelic culture and therapy.
What Happened?
Albert Hofmann was conducting research at the Sandoz Laboratories in Basel, Switzerland, focusing on ergot alkaloids when he first synthesized lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD, in 1938. Following laboratory tests, Hofmann discovered the compound's psychoactive effects accidentally on April 16, 1943, when a small amount absorbed into his skin led to unusual sensations and perceptions. Intrigued by the effects, Hofmann decided to conduct a more controlled experiment by intentionally dosing himself with 250 micrograms of LSD three days later.
After taking the dose, Hofmann began to feel the compound's effects while cycling home. He experienced heightened sensory awareness, color vibrancy, and perceptual distortions as he pedaled through the streets. His bicycle ride became a whimsical adventure filled with hallucinations, which he later lovingly termed “Bicycle Day.” The experience not only influenced Hofmann personally but also laid the groundwork for LSD's introduction into popular culture and psychology.
The event captured the imagination of the wider community and marked the beginning of LSD as a substance of interest for various fields, including psychiatry, psychotherapy, and recreational use. Over the coming decades, it would be both celebrated for its potential and criticized for its misuse and associations with counterculture movements.
Why Does it Matter?
The experimentation by Albert Hofmann on this occasion is significant as it paved the way for the exploration of psychedelics in psychotherapy and consciousness expansion. It sparked interest in the compound that would lead to extensive research during the 1950s and 1960s, exploring LSD's potential to treat various mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. The event also became a cultural touchstone that influenced art, music, and social movements, contributing to the psychedelic culture of the 1960s.