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Home > Albert Hofmann


 

Dr. Albert Hofmann (born 11 January 1906) is a prominent Swiss scientist and best known as the "father" of LSD. He was born in Baden, Switzerland, and studied chemistry at the University of Zurich. His main interest was the chemistry of plants and animals, and he later conducted important research regarding the chemical structure of the common animal substance chitin, for which he received his doctorate. Hofmann joined the pharmaceutical-chemical department of Sandoz Laboratories, Basel (now Novartis), studying the medicinal plants squill and ergot as part of a program to purify and synthesize active constituents for use as pharmaceuticals.

With Anita, 1950Events January January 5 US Senator Estes Kefauver introduces a resolution calling for examination of organized crime in the USA January 6 The United Kingdom recognizes the People's Republic of China. The Republic of China severs diplomatic relations with

His research in lysergic acidd-Lysergic acid Chemical name6-Methyl-9,10-didehydro-ergoline-8-carboxylic acidor7-methyl-4,6,6''a 7,8,9-hexahydro-indolo[4,3 fg quinoline-9-carboxylic acid Chemical formulaCHNO Molecular mass268. 31 g/mol Melting point238 240 °C CAS numbers82-58-6, 478-9, the central shared component of ergot alkaloidAn alkaloid is a nitrogenous organic molecule that has a pharmacological effect on humans and other animals. The name derives from the word alkaline; originally, the term was used to describe any nitrogen-containing base (an amine in modern terms). Alkalos, eventually led to the synthesisSynthesis is commonly understood to be an integration of two or more pre-existing elements which results in a new creation. The term is broad in meaning and can apply to physical, ideological, and/or phenomenological entities. In dialectics, synthesis is of LSD-25 in 1938Events January -June January 3 The March of Dimes is established by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. January 11 Frances Moulton is the first woman to become president of a US national bank. January 20 Wedding of king Farouk I of Egypt and Farida Zulficar in Cai. It was five years later, on repeating synthesis of the almost forgotten substance, that Dr. Hofmann discovered the psychedelic effects of LSD after accidentally ingesting some through his fingertips on April 16April 16 is the 106th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (107th in leap years). There are 259 days remaining. Events 1178 BC A solar eclipse may mark the return of Odysseus, legendary King of Ithaca to his Kingdom after the Trojan War. 1071 Bari fa 19431943 is the common year starting on Friday. Events January January 4 End of term for Culbert Olson, 29th Governor of California. He is succeeded by Earl Warren. January 11 The United States and United Kingdom give up territorial rights in China. January 1. Three days later, on April 19April 19 is the 109th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (110th in leap years). There are 256 days remaining. Events 1012 Martyrdom of St Alphege in Greenwich, London. 1529 At the Diet of Speyer a group of rulers German Furst) and independent citie (later known as Bicycle Day), Hofmann deliberately consumed 250 µg of LSD, and experienced far more intense effects (see: LSD for details). This was followed by a series of self-experiments conducted by Hofmann and his colleagues. He first wrote about these experiments on April 22.

He became director of the natural products department at Sandoz and went on studying hallucinogenic substances found in Mexican mushrooms and other plants used by the aboriginal people. This lead to the synthesis of psilocybin, the active agent of many " magic mushrooms".

Hofmann also got interested in the seeds of the Mexican magic morning glory species Rivea corymbosa, the seeds of which are called Ololiuhqui by the natives. He was very surprised to find the active compound of Ololiuhqui chemically very similar to LSD.

In 1962, he and his wife Anita travelled to southern Mexico to search for the magic plant ska Maria Pastora (leaves of Mary the shepherdess), later known as Salvia divinorum. He was able to obtain samples of this plant but never succeeded in identifying its active chemicals.

With John Lilly, 1981

Dr. Pharm. (hc) Dr. Sc.Nat. (hc) Hofmann is Member of the Nobel Prize Committee , Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences , Member of the International Society of Plant Research and the American Society of Pharmacognosy .

He has been author of over 100 scientific articles and has written (or co-authored) a number of books, including LSD, My Problem Child, which is partly an autobiography and describes his famous bicycle ride.



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