Introduction: Brief History of LSD
LSD is a drug with powerful hallucinogenic effects. It was first synthesized by Albert Hofmann in 1938, and it was not until the 1960s that its use became widespread. It may be hard to believe, but LSD had been used as a therapeutic drug before it became popular as a recreational drug. Psychiatrists would administer the drug to their patients and monitor their reactions in order to help them work through mental issues.
How LSD was Discovered
LSD was discovered by Albert Hofmann in 1938. He synthesized the drug from a rye fungus, which he found on a hike in the Swiss Alps. Hofmann had been studying the medicinal use of lysergic acid derivatives and had been working with synthesising these compounds for some time. He became interested in this particular compound because of its chemical similarity to serotonin, a naturally occurring neurotransmitter that controls moods and emotions.
Hofmann's Experiments and His Life in General
Hofmann was born in 1906 and was a Swiss scientist. He is best known for his work with LSD.
In the 1930s, Hofmann researched the medicinal value of various plants that were used in folk medicine. He isolated the active agent from the plant known as ergot, which had been used to induce abortions and relieve migraine headaches. He named this chemical LSD-25, or lysergic acid diethylamide.
He was also an inventor and he filed a patent for a new type of adhesive bandage in 1957.
Conclusion: Albert Hofmann Invented LSD to Help his Wife's Anxiety but Ended up Creating a Psychedelic Revolution
The first use of LSD was by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann on April 19, 1943. His intention was to create a drug that would help his wife's anxiety. However, this drug ended up changing the world forever.
LSD is one of the most controversial drugs in history and has been used for both medical and recreational purposes. One of its most famous users is John Lennon who said that it helped him come up with songs like "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."
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