Who was Albert Hofmann? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Anita Hofmann

father: Adolf Hofmann

mother: Elisabeth Schenk

children: Andreas, Beatrice, Dieter, Gaby

Chemists Swiss Male

Died on: April 29, 2008

place of death: Berg

More Facts

education: University of Zurich

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1

What is Albert Hofmann known for?

Albert Hofmann is best known for being the Swiss chemist who first synthesized and discovered the psychedelic effects of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) in 1943.
2

When was Albert Hofmann born?

Albert Hofmann was born on January 11, 1906, in Baden, Switzerland.
3

What inspired Albert Hofmann to discover LSD?

Albert Hofmann was inspired to discover LSD after working with the ergot fungus, which led him to synthesize lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in his laboratory.
4

What is the significance of Albert Hofmann's discovery of LSD?

Albert Hofmann's discovery of LSD is significant because it played a major role in the counterculture movement of the 1960s and continues to be studied for its potential therapeutic uses in treating various mental health conditions.
5

Did Albert Hofmann ever regret discovering LSD?

No, Albert Hofmann did not regret discovering LSD. Despite the controversies surrounding the drug, he believed in its potential benefits and continued to advocate for its responsible use throughout his life.

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Childhood & Early Life

Albert Hofmann was born in Baden, Switzerland, on January 11, 1906. He was the eldest of four children. His father was a poor toolmaker in a factory and they lived in a rented apartment. He spent much of his childhood outdoors, and grew up with a very deep connection with nature.

He had mind-blowing experiences in childhood, wherein nature was changed in magical ways that he didn’t understand. These experiences provoked questions in his mind, and chemistry was the scientific field which allowed him to understand them.

He studied chemistry at Zurich University, his main interest being the chemistry of plants and animals. At 23, he earned his PhD with honors.

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Career

He took a job with Sandoz Laboratories; he was attracted by their program to produce pharmacological compounds from medicinally important plants.

He first synthesized LSD on November 16, 1938 with an aim to obtain a respiratory and circulatory stimulant. The research was set aside for five years.

He stumbled on LSD again when he was working on the ergot fungus on April 16 1943. He accidentally ate a trace of the compound and came to know about its powerful effects.

On April 19, 1943, he deliberately swallowed a dose of LSD and rode his bicycle home as the effects of the drug engulfed him. That day was remembered by LSD enthusiasts as “bicycle day.”

In 1958, Hofmann discovered ‘ethacetin’, which is an 'intoxicating tryptamine.’

He became director of the natural products department at Sandoz Laboratories. He continued studying hallucinogenic substances found in Mexican mushrooms and other plants. He produced ‘psilocybin’, the active agent of many ‘magic mushrooms.’

He also became interested in the seeds of the Mexican morning glory and found that the active compound ‘ergine’ (LSA, ‘lysergic acid amide’), has a distinct likeness to LSD.

Hofmann also produced other important drugs like ‘methergine’, for treating postpartum hemorrhaging, which was the leading cause of death from childbirth.

In 1962, he and his wife Anita Hofmann went to Mexico to search for the plant ‘Ska Maria Pastora’ to identify its active compound. However, he was not able to identify it at that time. It was later identified as the ‘diterpenoid salvinorin A’.

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In 1963, he attended the annual convention of the ‘World Academy of Arts and Sciences’ (WAAS) in Stockholm.

He stayed with Sandoz Laboratories as head of the research department for natural medicines until he retired in 1971.

He delivered a speech at the 1996 Worlds of Consciousness Conference in Heidelberg, Germany.

In an interview before he turned 100, Hoffman called LSD “medicine for the soul.” He was disappointed that it was prohibited worldwide, knowing that it has been very successful in psychoanalysis. However, he acknowledged that it could be dangerous if misused, especially if given to a first-time user without supervision from a doctor.

Major Works

He was the first person to produce, consume, and know the mind-altering effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

Awards & Achievements

Albert Hofmann received the title D.Sc. (honoris causa) in 1969 from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.

In 1971, the Swedish Pharmaceutical Association (Sveriges Farmacevtförbund) gave him the Scheele Award. It’s an award which commemorates the achievements of Carl Wilhelm Scheele, the Swedish Pomeranian chemist and pharmacist.

In a list of the 100 greatest living geniuses published by The Telegraph newspaper in 2007, he shared first place, together with Tim Berners-Lee.

Personal Life & Legacy

Albert Hofmann was married to Anita and the couple had four children. His wife died in 2007 and one of his children also predeceased him.

He died on April 29, 2008, at the age of 102, due to a heart attack.

Facts About Albert Hofmann

Albert Hofmann was a Swiss scientist who accidentally discovered the psychedelic properties of LSD while working on a research project.

Hofmann was known for his meticulous and methodical approach to his work, which earned him a reputation as a dedicated and respected chemist in the scientific community.

Despite the controversy surrounding LSD, Hofmann remained committed to promoting its potential benefits for psychological therapy and spiritual exploration, advocating for responsible use and research.

In addition to his work with LSD, Hofmann made significant contributions to the fields of pharmacology and organic chemistry, earning him recognition as a pioneer in the study of psychoactive substances.

Hofmann's legacy extends beyond his scientific achievements, as he is also remembered for his humility, curiosity, and passion for understanding the mysteries of the mind and consciousness.

Albert Hofmann Biography

You wanted to know

What is Albert Hofmann known for?

When was Albert Hofmann born?

What inspired Albert Hofmann to discover LSD?

What is the significance of Albert Hofmann's discovery of LSD?

Did Albert Hofmann ever regret discovering LSD?