He discovered LSD (lysergic acid diethylamine) in 1938. He was experimenting with a crop-fungus, called Claviceps Purpurea. This forms so-called ergots on wheat and related plant species.
In the Middle Ages, people would eat rye-bread, made from infected rye, and it would send them mad. It was referred to as St Anthony's Fire.
Hoffman discovered the hallucinogenic properties of LSD, when he accidentally ingested some his invention. He described the effect as: "Everything I saw was distorted as in a warped mirror". LSD causes hallucinations, which may recur even after ingesting only a single dose.
Derivatives of lysergic acid are used in medicines, such as older migraine preparations (ergotamine) and in obstetrics (ergometrine), to prevent bleeding.
I would bet some of the old hippies are feeling sad today, he was probably their idol. LOL.
ReplyDeleteLisa
'All we never wanted to know about LSD,' LOL...wonder what the nasty grey blobs that get on corn cobs would do--eeewwwwww
ReplyDeleteFunny how some things like that can also be used for good in the medical feild.Guess it's like the rest-when abused has diverse effects....
Have a good day,Guido.
connie
This was interesting! I had no idea that they used LSD in medicine.
ReplyDeletePam
Vert interesting....the unfortunate part is the people who used LSD extensively and fried their brains. Linda in Washington state
ReplyDeleteI didn`t realise it had medical value either. I always associate it The Beatles for some reason!
ReplyDeleteLove Sandra xxxx
What a long life ? hmmm ? ...love Jan xx
ReplyDeleteWow, that's more than I ever knew about LSD! - Barbara
ReplyDeleteVery interesting.
ReplyDeleteLori
How interesting! i did not know any of that about LSD.
ReplyDelete