As an additional offering to see readers through my canoe-induced absence, here is an interesting article from The New York Times about lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) – the ‘problem child’ of Albert Hofmann. It includes a description of his remarkable first experiences, when experimenting with the medical potential of ergot derivatives, as well as his later observations and reflections upon the molecule he introduced to the world.
Hofmann, who died last week, has an obituary in The Economist. It takes a somewhat interesting position: essentially, that LSD was a promising chemical that ended up universally banned because of the excesses of Timothy Leary and company.
Erowid LSD (Acid) Vault
Experimenting with LSD
SIR – Your obituary on Albert Hofmann, the inventor of lysergic acid diethylamide, suggested that research into LSD stopped in the 1970s and never resumed (May 10th). Actually, a protocol evaluating LSD-assisted psychotherapy in people with anxiety related to end-of-life issues was approved in Switzerland last year. This is the first scientific controlled study of the therapeutic potential of the drug in more than 36 years. Mr Hofmann spoke about the Swiss approval as “the fulfilment of my heart’s desire.” The first LSD session in that study took place recently.
Furthermore, to set the record straight, Mr Hofmann took LSD for the last time when he was 97 years old.
Rick Doblin
President
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies
Ben Lomond, California
what’s name of that flower and/or plant?! thx