At the laboratories of the Swiss company Sandoz, chemist Albert Hofmann prepared a derivative of lysergic acid (an alkaloid from which ergot, the cause of ergotism, is also derived). It was the twenty-fifth he produced, and so he called it LSD-25 (Lysergic Acid Diethylamine-25), now known as LSD. In 1943, he inadvertently transferred a quantity of LSD from his fingers to his mouth. He described an experience of a continuous flow of fantastic images, extraordinary shapes, and an intense kaleidoscopic play of colors. Hofmann then decided to deliberately take more LSD to scientifically document the experience. LSD is ten thousand times more potent in this regard than mescaline, a natural alkaloid found in the peyote cactus, for example, in Texas. In addition to hallucinating, Hoofmann spoke incoherently, perceived sounds visually, and felt as if he were leaving his body. The symptoms gradually subsided, though the visual disturbances persisted for some time. The next day he woke up with no apparent side effects. In 1947, Sandoz marketed LSD as a psychotherapy tool, particularly for alcoholic schizophrenia. In the 1960s, psychologist Timothy Leary promoted LSD as a way to achieve spiritual and creative fulfillment. Thousands followed his example by taking this powerful alkaloid.
