Albert Hofmann’s First and Last Trip

A tiny remembrance about Long Slow Distances

With "no sense of urgency," Albert Hofmann died on this day, April 29, at the age of 102.

He invented LSD in 1938, and took his very first trip— on a bicycle and 250 micrograms— in 1943. I always wanted to know where he went.

What an amazing thing to discover. I wonder whom he told about it first.

Truly a legend of "better living through chemistry," Hoffman was an imaginative and inspiring leader in the psychedelic community throughout his old age. I remember being lime-green with envy at my friends who traveled to Basel to help celebrate his 100th birthday.

Let's shout the obvious: the benefits and insights of LSD-25 and its derivatives were thwarted and crucified by the titanic stupidity of the War on Drugs™ — one of the great brainwashings of our time. Incarceration Theater.

If you have ever experienced a psychedelic, either synthetic or right out of your garden, I hope you'll mention it in the coming days, to someone you love who might not be in the loop. Get out that Mom Took Acid …