April: Hofmann discovers the effects of LSD

In April 1943, Albert Hofmann discovered the hallucinogenic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).  On April 16th, whilst working in his lab, Hofmann accidentally ingested some of the material he had been working on.  Feeling ill, he went home and experienced an intoxication-like effect producing hallucinations which lasted for about 2 hours.

Three days later, on the 19th April, Dr Hofmann deliberately consumed 250 micrograms of LSD.  Again, feeling unwell, he got his assistant to escort him home on his bicycle.  Hofmann experienced further hallucinations and heightened senses which he recorded.  April 19th later became known as Bicycle Day.  

The library has a collection of books on drugs (UDC 615) in its contemporary and historical collections.  "50 Years of LSD" (1994), edited by A Pletscher and D Ladewig contains a chapter by Albert Hofmann on the history and discovery of LSD.

LSD had various psychiatric uses as a therapeutic agent but became a banned substance because of its' extra-medicinal uses.

Albert Hofmann is currently 102 years old and lives in Switzerland.