Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent hallucinogenic drug that was first synthesized in the 1930s and then studied and used extensively throughout the ‘50s and ’60s. But who invented the drug, where did it come from, is it natural, and how did it go from an interesting new substance to a Schedule I drug?
Where Does LSD Come From?
Most psychedelic drugs have been around for a long time. Magic mushrooms were probably first used thousands of years ago, and they’ve been around longer than that. If you subscribe to the stoned ape theory, they were the catalyst that allowed humans to evolve from homo erectus to homo sapiens.
It’s a similar story with psychedelic cacti, which is where we get DMT and mescaline.
LSD is a different beast entirely, but it’s not as far removed from the natural world as you might think.
LSD was first synthesized in 1938 by a Swiss chemist named Albert Hofmann.
At the time, Hofmann was studying the ergot fungus, hoping to synthesize some compounds that could be used as pharmaceuticals.
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because ergot has a long history of use, most of it accidental.
Ergot to LSD
Ergot is a fungus that grows on rye and related plants. It produces compounds that trigger intense hallucinations and other effects, a condition known as “ergotism”.
In the medieval period, this condition was known as “St. Anthony’s Fire”, as it was commonly treated by The Hospital Brothers of St. Antony, a Catholic organization that was first founded in the late 11th century and had houses in Denmark and England.
The condition led to fever, hallucinations, muscle spasms, and many other unpleasant effects. It could also cause gangrene, limb loss, and death.
In medieval Europe, there were several incidents in which ergot infected large amounts of grain and then found its way into the food supply. In one such case in 944, over 40,000 people died.
Ergot outbreaks have also been suggested as a possible reason for many unexplained cases of mass hysteria, with some even suggesting that it could have played a role in the Salem witch trials.
There are references to ergotism dating back hundreds of years and it’s the earliest example of poisoning caused by toxic mold. However, it’s worth noting that LSD isn’t in ergot.
It contains the precursor, lysergic acid, but not LSD in itself. The effects of LSD are also very different from the effects of ergot. Still, it’s interesting to know that a relatively modern psychedelic has links to one of the oldest hallucinogenic fungi.
Albert Hofmann and the LSD Journey
The alternative name for LSD is LSD-25, so named because it was the 25th compound that Albert Hofmann synthesized from lysergic acid. At the time of its discovery in 1938, he didn’t really know what he had, and it wasn’t until 5 years later that his eyes would be opened.
On April 19, 1943, Albert Hofmann ingested 250 micrograms of LSD. Within an hour, he experienced intense changes in perception and so he asked his lab assistant to escort him home.
As Hofmann and his assistant rode their bikes home, his experiences intensified. He later described experiencing “kaleidoscopic, fantastic images” as well as thinking that his neighbor was a malevolent witch.
Hofmann’s experience was the first true LSD trip, and it’s the reason that April 19 is still celebrated as “Bicycle Day” in the psychedelic community.
It’s also worth noting that the word “trip” was actually coined in reference to LSD. It was first used by US Army scientists who experimented with the substance during the 1950s.
How Was LSD First Used?
In 1947, nearly a decade after Albert Hofmann first synthesized LSD, the drug was made available for psychiatric use and marketed under the tradename Delysid.
It was manufactured by Sandoz Laboratories who gave it mass publicity and even sold quantities of the drug to the CIA for its MKUltra program.
Hofmann’s research into the drug continued and it appeared in many other scientific publications. It was studied for its effects in the treatment of severe anxiety in cancer patients and also showed promise in treating depression.
The potent drug was even given to alcoholics who had struggled to quit drinking, and researchers were very excited about the results.
At the same time, LSD use became more widespread among the general public and began to influence the counter-culture movement. Authors wrote about it and rock bands sang about it.
But there was a growing resistance against the drug, with many worried about its hallucinogenic effects and the risks that it posed to individuals with mental health problems. As a result, it was banned in the USA in the 1960s and by the early 1970s, most other countries had followed.
To this day, LSD remains a Schedule I drug in the United States, suggesting that it poses a serious risk to public health and has no medicinal use. It seems contrary to what early studies suggested, but it was not approved to treat any medical condition.
Is LSD Natural?
Although LSD is derived from a natural fungus, it is not a natural drug in itself. It is synthetic and produced in laboratories.
In the early days, it was produced by regulated manufacturers. These days, it’s produced in clandestine factories.
The fact that LSD is often sold by the “hit”, along with the very low doses required, means it’s not as adulterated as other recreational drugs. However, there are a lot of drugs sold as LSD that actually contain other psychedelic compounds, often ones that are easier or cheaper to produce.
Albert Hofmann’s Other Work
After discovering LSD, Hofmann continued to work with hallucinogenic compounds. He learned that the active ingredient of Mexican morning glory seeds (LSA, lysergic acid amide) was closely related to LSD and also isolated and synthesized psilocybin, the main active ingredient in magic mushrooms.
In the 1960s, Hofmann went in search of a drug that would later become known as Salvia Divinorum. He managed to get his hands on some samples but was unable to identify the active compound, now known as salvinorin A.
Albert Hofmann and the Legacy of LSD
Hofmann thought that everyone should try LSD and experience its potentially life-changing effects. The Albert Hofmann Foundation was created to honor the scientist and his work, but the website seemingly hasn’t been updated in over 15 years.
Still, Hofmann is a legend in the psychedelic community and his work helped to shape the 20th century. What’s more, we’re still learning more about psychedelic therapy, and could one day see a future where these drugs are used to treat mental health disorders and substance abuse issues.
Hofmann died from a heart attack on April 29, 2008, a little over 65 years after his historic bicycle journey.