Albert hofmanns lsd is a 2011 documentary film directed by martin witz. Lsd is the collaborative super group comprising sia, diplo and labrinth. Dr albert hofmann shows a model of the lsd molecule. It is structured around extensive interviews with albert hofmann, the chemist who first discovered the substance, stanislav grof, a. Mar 22, 2017 explains hofmanns different methods of pharmaceutical research based on traditional plant medicine includes the poetry of this mystical prophet of psychedelic science. Albert hofmanns lsd by roger keen published april 29, 20 updated october 21, 2014 the substance is a swissmade featurelength documentary which gives a general overview of lsd throughout its seventyyear history and serves as a useful primer for the subject of psychedelics. Bicycle day marks lsd discovery by albert hoffman as.
Roling, hanspeter muller, mario scarabelli, albert hofmann in 1943, the year in which the first abomb was built, albert hofmann discovered lsd, a substance that was to become an abomb of the mind. This played at a movie theatre in toronto 2 summers ago. Hofmann was trying to produce a new circulatory and respiratory stimulant an analeptic. The substance is an investigation into our troubled relation with lsd. The substance is a swissmade featurelength documentary which gives a general overview of lsd throughout its seventyyear history and serves as a useful primer for the subject of psychedelics. The substance is an investigation into our troubled relation with lsd, told from its beginnings until today. He realizes that he is dealing with a powerful molecule that will have an impact not only on the scientific world. In 1943, swiss chemist albert hofmann made a sensational discovery. Lysergic acid diethylamide simple english wikipedia, the. The story of a drug its discovery in the basel chemistry lab. Oneness thursday, november 06, 2008 albert hofmann, drug awareness 0 comments in 1938, albert hofmann january 11, 1906 april 29, 2008 was working as a research chemist at the laboratory of the sandoz company in ba. Roling, hanspeter muller, mario scarabelli, albert hofmann. The writer and director is martin witz and it is certainly his most known work. Albert hofmann lsd a psychedelic problem child comes.
Gordon wasson for checking the chapters on lsds mexican relatives and on ska maria pastora for accuracy and style. The substance albert hofmanns lsd switzerland production. Apr 30, 2008 dr albert hofmann shows a model of the lsd molecule. By coincidence rather than by design the swiss chemist albert hofmann makes a sensational discovery in the spring of 1943. The incredible story of albert hofmann and the birth of lsd. The group evolved as a natural kinship amongst artists, initiated by songwriters labrinth and sia who came together one night to write a song and quickly realised there were many more waiting to be penned. Amazingly, no one seems to have noticed that the narration script is missing from this download and also from the dvd.
In the year the atom bomb was built, this substance lsd was to become an abomb of the mind. Lsd, more technically known as lysergic acid diethylamide was first synthesized on november 16th, 1938 by swiss scientist dr. Fractions of a milligram are enough to turn our framework of time and space upside down. On april 19, 1943, hofmann performed a selfexperiment to determine the true effects of lsd, intentionally ingesting 0. Albert hofmann s lsd 2011 biography documentary history. Lsd does not occur in nature, so it must be chemically synthesized. The acclaimed discoverer of lsds personal experiences and thoughts on chemistry, the natural sciences, mindaltering drugs, the soul, and the search for happiness shares a different side of the father of lsd, one known only to his friends and close colleagues explains hofmanns different methods of pharmaceutical research based on traditional plant.
Documentary biography history in 1943, the year in which the first abomb was built, albert hofmann discovered lsd, a substance that was to become an abomb of the mind. Hofmann was also the first person to isolate, synthesize, and name the principal psychedelic mushroom compounds psilocybin and psilocin. Doubts about psychedelics from albert hofmann, lsds discoverer. Albert hofmanns lsd, filmmaker martin witz sets out to explore the scientific, cultural, and spiritual history of a chemical compound with the unique power to alter ones sense of reality through vivid imagery. Fractions of a milligram are enough to turn our framework of time and space upside down and ultimately change the modern world. Two chapters of this bookhow lsd originated and lsd experience and.
The film documents the coincidental discovery of the drug. This selfexperiment showed that lsd25 behaved as a psychoactive substance with extraordinary properties and potency. The film documents the coincidental discovery of the drug lsd by the swiss chemist albert hofmann in 1943. Una pelicula dirigida por martin witz con albert hofmann, stanislav grof, martin a. There was to my knowledge no other known substance that evoked such profound psychic effects in such extremely low doses, that caused such dramatic changes in human consciousness and our experience of the inner and outer world. Albert hofmanns lsd is an informative and entertaining investigation into the history of a drug so potent that mere fractions of a milligram can alter a subjects. It was supposed to be the holy grail of psychiatry, but a persons best intentions are no match for forces outside his control. See how the swiss scientist synthesized the drug that took the world on a trip and fueled a cultural revolution. Albert hofmanns lsd is an awardwinning 90minute documentary from 2011, so this one had its 11th anniversary last year. Albert hofmanns lsd 2011 biography documentary history. This movie was originally heavily scripted, with excellent explanations throughout, but this version that made it to the us has no narration, only continuous background music with occasional interviews and commentaries by the scientistsresearchers.
In 1943, the year in which the first abomb was built, albert hofmann discovered lsd, a substance that was to become an abomb of the mind. Lsd in animal experiments and biological research 2. Less than an hour later, hofmann experienced sudden and intense changes in perception. Offizieller deutscher kinotrailer zu dem film the substance albert hofmann s lsd. This documentary explores the history of the drug lsd, as a chemical compound discovered by albert hofmann in. I am hopeful about the future evolution of the human species. Hoffman consumed lsd in 1938, i produced the twentyfifth substance in a series of lysergic acid derivatives.
He realizes that he is dealing with a powerful molecule that will have an impact that reaches far beyond the scientific world. Albert hofmann 11 january 1906 29 april 2008 was a swiss scientist known best for being the first known person to synthesize, ingest, and learn of the psychedelic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide lsd. Albert hofmanns lsd a film by martin witz an icarus films release in 1943, at the. This documentary explores the history of the drug lsd, as a chemical compound discovered by albert hofmann in 1943 in the.
Albert hofmanns discovery of lsd, the most potent mindexpanding substance ever found, was an event of multiple synchronicities it occurred in 1943 in switzerland, a neutral country, within months of the building of the atomic bomb as if it was to be a kind of psychospiritual healing antidote to the mass death weapons. Lsd creator albert hofmann drops acid for the first time the swiss chemist created lsd in 1936 but it wasnt until 1943 that he first dosed himself and went on a magical bicycle ride. The substance albert hofmann s lsd a documentation by martin witz ab dem 17. This website is not associated with any external links or websites. Albert hofmann s lsd is an informative and entertaining investigation into the history of a drug so potent that mere fractions of a milligram can alter a subjects. The 2012 seattle film festival lineup is the best ive. Bicycle day celebrates swiss scientist albert hoffmans discovery of lsd in 1943 as the use of the illegal drug in psychotherapy continues to push boundaries. Afpgetty images the first person to have a bad trip on lsd and not even know why was dr albert hofmann, who has died aged 102. It was invented in 1938 by a swiss chemist, albert hofmann, at the sandoz laboratories in switzerland. I am hopeful because i have the impression that more and more human individuals are becoming conscious and that the creative spirit, which we call god, speaks to us through his creationthrough the endlessness of the starry sky, through the beauty and wonder of the living. Albert hofmann, who died in 2008 aged 102, first synthesized lysergic acid diethylamide lsd in 1938, but the results of animal tests were so unremarkable that the chemical was abandoned.
Nov 11, 2011 lsd, more technically known as lysergic acid diethylamide was first synthesized on november 16th, 1938 by swiss scientist dr. One day in 1943, hofmann accidentally ate a small amount of lsd, and noticed strange light patterns in the sky as he went home. This translation has been carefully overseen by albert hofmann, which made my task both simpler and more enjoyable. Driven by intuition, he synthesized it again in 1943, and serendipitously noticed its profound effects on himself. The substance is an investigation into our troubled relationship with lsd, told from its beginnings to today. This selfexperiment showed that lsd 25 behaved as a psychoactive substance with extraordinary properties and potency. A frenetic films release of a ventura films presentation and production, in association with radiotelevisione svizzera, teleclub.
I am hopeful because i have the impression that more and more human individuals are becoming conscious and that the creative spirit, which we call god, speaks to us through his creationthrough the endlessness of the starry sky, through the beauty and wonder of the living individuals of the plant, the. Hofmann was working at the sandoz laboratories in switzerland researching ergot alkaloid derivatives for use in pharmaceuticals. He produced lsd because of its similarity to nicotinic acid diethylamide, a known respiratory stimulant. Doubts about psychedelics from albert hofmann, lsds. Best known as the first person to synthesize, ingest, and discover the psychedelic effects of lsd, albert hofmann was more than just a chemist. By coincidence rather than by design, the swiss chemist albert hofmann makes a sensational discovery in the spring of 1943. All images and subtitles are ed to their respectful owners unless stated otherwise. Albert hofmanns lsd 2011 swiss chemist albert hofmann makes a sensational discovery in the spring of 1943, creating a powerful molecule that will have an impact on the scientific. By coincidence rather then by design the swiss chemist albert hofmann makes a sensational discovery in the spring of 1943. Biografilm 2012 the substance albert hofmanns lsd youtube. This documentary is partially english, partially german, so make sure you got a good set of subtitles perhaps.
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