'Father of LSD' takes final trip ====================== 15:25, April 30th 2008
GENEVA (AFP) — Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who discovered the now-banned hallucinogenic drug LSD that was an icon of the Hippy movement, has died at the age of 102, authorities said Wednesday.
The scientist, born in Baden in northern Switzerland in 1906, worked for chemicals company Sandoz from 1929 to 1971.
He "discovered" LSD by chance while researching medicinal plants, trying to synthesise their active components in the hope of discovering a stimulant for the respiratory and circulatory systems.
In 1938 while working on ergot, a fungus that attacks grain, Hofmann isolated the German-named "Lysergsaeure-Diaethylamid," or lysergic acid diethylamide.
Five years later, while working in his lab, Hofmann spilled some synthesised LSD onto his hand.
The effects were immediate: suffering from dizziness, the scientist cycled home and pedalled into his first "trip."
Hofmann later said that a wave of happiness swept over him as he recalled sensations from his childhood. He also began to hallucinate and he felt able to fly.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2008-04-30 01:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-30 02:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-30 07:24 pm (UTC)http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5j5N99l5nZYOqVzxMl30B3zU6U--g
'Father of LSD' takes final trip
======================
15:25, April 30th 2008
GENEVA (AFP) — Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who discovered the
now-banned hallucinogenic drug LSD that was an icon of the Hippy
movement, has died at the age of 102, authorities said Wednesday.
The scientist, born in Baden in northern Switzerland in 1906, worked
for chemicals company Sandoz from 1929 to 1971.
He "discovered" LSD by chance while researching medicinal plants,
trying to synthesise their active components in the hope of
discovering a stimulant for the respiratory and circulatory systems.
In 1938 while working on ergot, a fungus that attacks grain, Hofmann
isolated the German-named "Lysergsaeure-Diaethylamid," or lysergic
acid diethylamide.
Five years later, while working in his lab, Hofmann spilled some
synthesised LSD onto his hand.
The effects were immediate: suffering from dizziness, the scientist
cycled home and pedalled into his first "trip."
Hofmann later said that a wave of happiness swept over him as he
recalled sensations from his childhood. He also began to hallucinate
and he felt able to fly.
no subject
Date: 2008-05-01 01:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-30 02:48 pm (UTC)