LSD inventor Albert Hofmann dies

[sandman67]

Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who discovered the hallucinogenic drug LSD, has died of a heart attack at his home in Basel at the age of 102.

Mr Hofmann first produced LSD in 1938 while researching the medicinal uses of a crop fungus.

He accidentally ingested some of the drug and said later: "Everything I saw was distorted as in a warped mirror".

He hoped LSD could be used to treat mental illness, but it became a popular street drug in the 1960s.

'Turn on, tune in, drop out'

While working with the drug in the Sandoz pharmaceutical laboratory a few years after first producing it, Mr Hofmann ingested some of the drug through his fingertips.

He went home and experienced what he described as visions of "fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colours".

The drug was popularised by Harvard professor Timothy Leary who suggested that people "turn on, tune in, drop out".

Rock stars and the counter-culture of the 1960s picked up LSD as a wonder drug but horror stories began to emerge of users suffering permanent psychological damage.

LSD was made illegal in many countries beginning in the late 1960s.


Comment: Bye bye mate - thanks for the laffs you provided at Uni.

[richard]

Remember the 60's well

Even tripped with Syd Barrett

So the inventor has taken his final 'trip'

[Big Boy]

has died of a heart attack at his home in Basel at the age of 102

That's not bad - I didn't it was meant to be good for you.

[Rob c]

Yep, RIP, had many a good night in the late 80's & early 90's thanks to him!

[richard]

Rob

see your location is far out. Not come down yet?

[Jockey]

Far out man! Like wow! Cosmic rays. Freak out. Peace man

[Super Joe]

he did ok for his era, but he couldnt improve your dancing and could only make you hug trees

however, his successor mr gary baldi who invented the biscuit, he made you the best dancer in the world and could make you hug total strangers

[caller]

Even tripped with Syd Barrett

Are you proud of this Richard?

Think about it, it could have been the 'trip' to far for Syd, leading him to be kicked out of Floyd, and ultimately a reclusive life leading to an early death.

Hardly something to brag about?

I'm a generation younger than you and lost my first friend to an early drugs death at 19 - he was the son of a labour minister at the time. I blamed his parents liberal naievity for that one.

Since then, many have gone early, just the odd email or a message lets you know - to many young, drug induced deaths.

[johnnyk]

Even tripped with Syd Barrett

Are you proud of this Richard?

Think about it, it could have been the 'trip' to far for Syd, leading him to be kicked out of Floyd, and ultimately a reclusive life leading to an early death.

Hardly something to brag about?

I'm a generation younger than you and lost my first friend to an early drugs death at 19 - he was the son of a labour minister at the time. I blamed his parents liberal naievity for that one.

Since then, many have gone early, just the odd email or a message lets you know - to many young, drug induced deaths.

party pooper

[santa]

Had it when it was still legal - 50 cents. Doesn't seem to be around much any more - I don't understand the youth of today t


Seriously, the fact that it isn't addictive makes it less attractive to crime syndicates that run drugs these days.

[richard]

Caller

Yes I'm proud of the fact I was one of Syd friends. He was a brilliant composer, musician and performer in his day

He did me a big favour. In the 60's and living in London it was common to drop the odd tab and it was not addictive to most but for some it was curtains. Syd took me round to see three friends in Finsbury Park. 2 lived in the house the third lived in a tree outside the house. They were true hippies and lived in appalling conditions. On the mantelpiece there was a giant sweetie jar full to the brim with acid

They were all out of it and when we left Syd said 'see what acid does to you? They live on it'

I was so shocked it brought it home to me and never touched a thing after that drug wise.

I thank Syd for wising me up. Guess he lost it a bit later on which destroyed him in the end. Later on we lost contact as he became stranger and stranger but he taught a very worthwhile lesson.

Used to go to parties and everybody was high and I thought.Thank you Syd

Now it's coke Many financial city workers in London take a snort before going to work

When my daughters were young and partying they like all the others tried smokes and coke

After one of my daughters friends almost coughed it after taking Exstacy and I related my tale about Syd they wised up very quickly

ALL THANKS TO A MISSED DEAR FRIEND

[Spitfire]

It might have been the endevours of Timothy Leary and Alan Ginsberg that speeded up the banning process though.

[Takiap]

Thanks for the good times Albert although I could have done with more of them. As for all the horror stories, I don't believe half of them. There will always be some who can meddle and some who can't. Take all known substances away and more will appear. I'd rather deal with a hippy on acid that a bum on glue. In response to a previous post concering the use of coke in the UK - it is so much bigger than what the general pulic like to believe. Before moving over here from the UK, while working for a well known company in the oil industry, I know first hand that about 60% of those in positions above me were using it on a regular basis, even while offshore. Its common practice to do drug testing before going offshore and as wacky backy stays in your system for so long, many are using drugs such as coke which is cleared out a lot quicker. Oh, and for those who say coke is okay, its only because its so expensive that use is kept in moderation most times. The disturbing fact is that even those in high up positions are now turning to crack and this certainly does change people - I've seen it with my own two eyes.

Anyway, RIP Albert

[Super Joe]

Its common practice to do drug testing before going offshore and as wacky backy stays in your system for so long, many are using drugs such as coke which is cleared out a lot quicker

its can be detected in your hair for years, if not grown/cut out, or detox shampoo used
its even worse for scottish folk, it can be detected on their five pound note after 3 years!!

Oh, and for those who say coke is okay, its only because its so expensive that use is kept in moderation most times

its horrible evil evil stuff. smells nice though
.