Curious Case of Hofmann’s LSD Trip on a Bicycle

The Swiss father of Psychedelic Medicine, Albert Hoffman went on a Bicycle ride after becoming the first ever man to trip on LSD. The day of 1943 has marked its importance in history forever and April 19th till date is celebrated as the bicycle day. 

The invention of LSD was just an accident. Hofmann was working on a compound that would stimulate the nervous system to come up with a solution to the headaches and respiratory problems. LSD was nothing but the result of a medical experiment he was undertaking in 1938. After 5 years when he felt like going through the same trip again, he repeated the experiment ignorant of its powers. When the LSD got absorbed through his fingertips while working on the compound, he described it to be ‘dream-like’ and nothing anything close to intoxication. In order to understand the actual effect of the product he tried it on himself and rest is a psychedelic history. 

He took 250 micrograms of dosage considering it an optimum threshold which certainly isn’t, now we know it shouldn’t be more than 200 micrograms. Within an hour of consumption, the salt started working and he started freaking out looking for his car that he couldn’t access because of the war, therefore, he had to take a bicycle ride to his home instead. Hence, the bicycle day!

Hofmann has cited in his book, “Everything in my field of vision wavered and was distorted as if seen in a curved mirror. I also had the sensation of being unable to move from the spot. Nevertheless, my assistant later told me that we had travelled very rapidly.”

Hofmann is a huge deal in the psychedelic world and to acknowledge his contribution we have come up with a design ‘Bicycle Day’. We are super excited about this new addition to our collection. Have you checked it out yet? Head to our store online if you haven’t and do let us know what do you think about it. 

Here’s ending the write-up with Hofmann’s words, describing his equation with LSD and couldn’t agree more. “LSD wanted to tell me something. It gave me an inner joy, an open-mindedness, gratefulness, open eyes and an internal sensitivity for the miracles of creation.”