Hofmann, Albert
Person
Dates
- Existence: January 11, 1906 - May 1, 2008
Albert Hofmann was born on January 11, 1906 in Baden, Switzerland. He began studying science at the University of Zurich when he was twenty years old; four years later, he finished his doctoral thesis in chemistry. Hofmann’s thesis concerned vineyard snails and how they produce the carbohydrate, chitin. By the time he earned his Ph.D., Hofmann was already working for Sandoz Laboratories in Basel. He began working on a project at Sandoz, where he was deriving drug compounds from ergot. In the 1930s, he worked to fuse lysergic acid with other compounds in hopes to make the lysergic acid more stable. In November of 1938, Hofmann created that stable synthetic version, naming it “Lyserg-Saure-Diathylamid-25” (LSD-25) or “Lysergic-Acid-Diethylamide-25” in English. The “25” represents that it was Hofmann’s 25th compound for this Sandoz project. Eventually, the project finished and nothing further was done with LSD-25.
It was not until April 16, 1943 when Hofmann accidentally handled the substance and then rubbed his eye; he began feeling the effects shortly thereafter. He left the laboratory and rode his bicycle home, which became known as his famous bicycle ride. The following work day, Hofmann deliberately ingested .25 milligrams (about ten times the “normal” amount unbeknownst to him) of LSD-25 and had to be taken home; the effects were too strong and Hoffman experienced some rather frightening hallucinations. Once he was checked by a doctor and told he was not, in fact, dying, Hofmann relaxed and eventually fell asleep. The next morning he felt reborn and his senses renewed. Hofmann reported what had happened to his supervisors at Sandoz, and LSD-25 was tested on three more employees. These results were shared with a researcher at the University of Zurich, where LSD-25 was identified as a non-toxic psychotropic compound. Sandoz began offering LSD-25 to qualified researchers and medical professionals after 1947, and many psychologists and psychiatrists were very excited about the promising effects LSD-25 had on troubled patients, especially those suffering from schizophrenia. The drug was then used by the CIA in a controversial covert project called MKULTRA, where it was used during the interrogation of enemy combatants and captured foreign intelligence agents. It is said that experiments were also conducted on U.S. military personal and civilian subjects in psychiatric hospitals.
Unfortunately, the counterculture of the 1960s helped to demonize the potentially useful LSD-25; and by the late 1960s, LSD was outlawed in most countries, which hindered scientific studies of the drug. Hofmann was disappointed in the casual use of LSD-25 and wrote a book in 1983 titled "LSD, My Problem Child: Reflections on Sacred Drugs, Mysticism and Science". Hoffman asserted that LSD-25 should be a controlled substance, just as morphine. On April 29, 2008, Hofmann passed away from a heart attack; he was 102 years old.
Found in 25 Collections and/or Records:
Cerletti, A. and A. Hofmann. "Mushrooms and Toadstools," Letter to the Editor in The Lancet (reprint and photocopy), January 5, 1963
Item — Box: 3, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 3, Item 21
Scope and Contents
Two copies. Photocopy has underlining on second page.
Dates:
January 5, 1963
Correspondence, 1979 - 2014
Series — Box: 22, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 5
Scope and Contents
Contains Grof's correspondence concerning the Esalen Institute and the screenplay Brainstorm. The correspondence also documents Grof's achievements, as well as a letter from the Czech president. This series includes an email between Michael Horowitz and Ralph Metzner and a letter to Dr. Willis Harman from and signed by Albert Hofmann.
Dates:
1979 - 2014
Heim, Roger, Albert Hofmann, and Hans Tscherter. "Phytochimie," Academie des Sciences. 257 (reprint), July 1, 1963
Item — Box: 5, Folder: 3
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 42
Scope and Contents
From the Sub-Series:
Includes published and unpublished preprints, reprints, abstracts, and drafts of articles on the use of psychotropic substances as a therapeutic agent. It also includes book chapters, letters to the editor, and conference presentations.
Dates:
July 1, 1963
Hofmann, A., A. Brack, H. Kobel, A. Frey, H. Ott, Th. Petrzilka, and F. Troxler. "Psilocybin und Psilocin, zwei psychotrope Wirkstoffe aus mexikanischen Rauschpilzen," Helvetica Chimica Acta. Vol. 42, No. 2 (reprint), 1959
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 75
Scope and Contents
Three copies.
Dates:
1959
Hofmann, A., A. Frey, H. Ott, Th. Petrzilka, and F. Troxler. "Konstitutionsaufklarung und Synthese von Psilocybin," EXPERIENTIA. Vol. 14, No. 11 (reprint), 1958
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 74
Scope and Contents
Two copies.
Dates:
1958
Hofmann, A. and A. Cerletti. "Die Wirkstoffe der dritten aztekischen Zauberdroge," Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift. Vol. 86, No. 18 (reprint), May 6, 1961
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 79
Scope and Contents
Two copies.
Dates:
May 6, 1961
Hofmann, A. and F. Troxler. "Indetifizierung von Psilocin," EXPERIENTIA. Vol. 15, No. 3 (reprint), 1959
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 72
Scope and Contents
From the Sub-Series:
Includes published and unpublished preprints, reprints, abstracts, and drafts of articles on the use of psychotropic substances as a therapeutic agent. It also includes book chapters, letters to the editor, and conference presentations.
Dates:
1959
Hofmann, A. and H. Tscherter. "Isolierung von Lysergsaure-Alkaloiden aus der mexikanischen Zauberdroge Ololiuqui," EXPERIENTIA. Vol. 16, No. 9 (reprint), 1960
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 76
Scope and Contents
Two copies.
Dates:
1960
Hofmann, A. and H. Tscherter. "Isolierung von Lysergsaure-Alkaloiden aus der mexikanischen Zauberdrogr Ololiuqui." Separatum Experientia. Vol 16, No 9., 1960
Item — Box: 5, Folder: 2
Identifier: MSP 70, Series 3, File 2, Item 2
Scope and Contents
From the Series:
Contains dated and undated article reprints that Savage used for research, as well as his article reviews. Some of the article reprints are written by him, or they are articles he may have reviewed. The materials are arranged chronologically.
Dates:
1960
Hofmann, A. "Chemical Aspects of Psilocybin, The Psychotropic Principle from the Mexican Fungus, Psilocybe Mexicana Heim," Neuro-Psychopharmacology. Proceedings of the 1st International Congress of Neuro-Psychopharmacology. (reprint), September 1958
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 70
Scope and Contents
From the Sub-Series:
Includes published and unpublished preprints, reprints, abstracts, and drafts of articles on the use of psychotropic substances as a therapeutic agent. It also includes book chapters, letters to the editor, and conference presentations.
Dates:
September 1958
Hofmann, A. "Chemical, Pharmacological and Medical Aspects of Psychotomimetics." J. Expt. Med. Sc. Vol 5, No 2., September 1961
Item — Box: 5, Folder: 2
Identifier: MSP 70, Series 3, File 2, Item 8
Scope and Contents
From the Series:
Contains dated and undated article reprints that Savage used for research, as well as his article reviews. Some of the article reprints are written by him, or they are articles he may have reviewed. The materials are arranged chronologically.
Dates:
September 1961
Hofmann, A. "Die Erforschung der mexikanischen Zauberpilze." (reprint), undated
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 80
Scope and Contents
From the Sub-Series:
Includes published and unpublished preprints, reprints, abstracts, and drafts of articles on the use of psychotropic substances as a therapeutic agent. It also includes book chapters, letters to the editor, and conference presentations.
Dates:
undated
Hofmann, A. "Die psychotropen Wirkstoffe der mexikanischen Zauberpilze," CHIMIA. 14 (reprint), 1960
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 82
Scope and Contents
From the Sub-Series:
Includes published and unpublished preprints, reprints, abstracts, and drafts of articles on the use of psychotropic substances as a therapeutic agent. It also includes book chapters, letters to the editor, and conference presentations.
Dates:
1960
Hofmann, A. "Die psychotropen Wirkstoffe der mexikanischen Zauberpilze," Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel. Vol. 71, No. 2 (reprint), December 1960
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 83
Scope and Contents
From the Sub-Series:
Includes published and unpublished preprints, reprints, abstracts, and drafts of articles on the use of psychotropic substances as a therapeutic agent. It also includes book chapters, letters to the editor, and conference presentations.
Dates:
December 1960
Hofmann, A. "Die Wirkstoffe der Mexikanischen Zauberdroge Ololiuqui." Planta Medica. Vol 9, No 4., December 1961
Item — Box: 5, Folder: 2
Identifier: MSP 70, Series 3, File 2, Item 9
Scope and Contents
From the Series:
Contains dated and undated article reprints that Savage used for research, as well as his article reviews. Some of the article reprints are written by him, or they are articles he may have reviewed. The materials are arranged chronologically.
Dates:
December 1961
Hofmann, A. "Die Wirkstoffe der mexikanischen Zauberdroge Ololiuqui," Planta Medica. Vol. 9, No. 4 (reprint), December 1961
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 81
Scope and Contents
From the Sub-Series:
Includes published and unpublished preprints, reprints, abstracts, and drafts of articles on the use of psychotropic substances as a therapeutic agent. It also includes book chapters, letters to the editor, and conference presentations.
Dates:
December 1961
Hofmann, A. "Psychotomimetic Agents" in A. Burger’s Chemical Constitution and Pharmacodynamic Action. Vol. 2. New York: M. Dekker (reprint), 1968
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 85
Scope and Contents
From the Sub-Series:
Includes published and unpublished preprints, reprints, abstracts, and drafts of articles on the use of psychotropic substances as a therapeutic agent. It also includes book chapters, letters to the editor, and conference presentations.
Dates:
1968
Hofmann, A. “Psychotomimetic Drugs: Chemical and Pharmacological Aspects,” Acta Physiol. Pharmacol. Neerlandica. 8, 1959
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 78
Scope and Contents
Two copies, one reprint and one photocopy.
Dates:
1959
Hofmann, A. "Psychotomimetica. Chemische, Pharmakologische und Medizinische Aspekte," Svensk Kemisk Tidskrift. Vol. 72, No. 12, 1960
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 77
Scope and Contents
Two copies, one reprint and one photocopy.
Dates:
1960
Hofmann, A., R. Heim, A. Brack, and H. Kobel. "Psilocybin, ein psychotroper Wirkstoff aus dem mexikanischen Rauschpilz Psilocybe Mexicana Heim," EXPERIENTIA. Vol. 14, No. 3 (reprint), 1958
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 71
Scope and Contents
Two copies.
Dates:
1958
Hofmann, A., R. Heim, A. Brack, and H. Kobel. "Psilocybin, ein psychotroper Wirkstoff aus dem mexikanischen Rauschpilz Psilocybe Mexicana Heim," EXPERIENTIA. Vol. 14, No. 3 (reprint), 1958
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 73
Scope and Contents
From the Sub-Series:
Includes published and unpublished preprints, reprints, abstracts, and drafts of articles on the use of psychotropic substances as a therapeutic agent. It also includes book chapters, letters to the editor, and conference presentations.
Dates:
1958
Hofmann, A. "The Chemistry of LSD and Its Modifications" in D. V. Siva Sankar’s LSD – A Total Study. New York: PJD Publications Ltd. (photocopy), 1975
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 8, Item 84
Scope and Contents
From the Sub-Series:
Includes published and unpublished preprints, reprints, abstracts, and drafts of articles on the use of psychotropic substances as a therapeutic agent. It also includes book chapters, letters to the editor, and conference presentations.
Dates:
1975
Hofmann, Albert. "Die Wirkstoffe der mexikanischen Zauberdroge ‘Ololiuqui’." Planta Medica: Zeitschrift für Arzneipflanzenforschung 4, December 1961
Item — Box: 2, Folder: 7
Identifier: MSP 56, File 14, Item 4
Scope and Contents
Reprint. Inscribed and signed by Albert Hofmann. Article in German.
Dates:
December 1961
Horowitz, Michael. "Interview: Albert Hofmann." High Times, undated
Item — Box: 2, Folder: 4
Identifier: MSP 56, File 11, Item 5
Scope and Contents
Reprint. Publishing information not discernible.
Dates:
undated
Troxler, F., F. Seemann, and A. Hofman. "Abwandlungsprodukte von Psilocybin und Psilocin," Helvetica Chemica Acta. Vol. 42, No. 6 (reprint), 1959
Item — Box: 11, Folder: 2
Identifier: MSP 1, Series 3, Sub-Series 2, File 19, Item 30
Scope and Contents
Two copies.
Dates:
1959