Albert Hofmann's discovery of LSD, whether by chance or design, transformed pharmaceutical research by prompting investigations into how a chemical's structure is recognized and triggers physiological responses. The drug's extreme potency challenged Emil Fischer's conventional lock-and-key model for enzymes. Hofmann's scientific expertise and outstanding qualities may have been overshadowed by LSD's remarkable properties. This article introduces a series: the first piece covers Hofmann's discovery, LSD's use in meditation, creativity, consciousness expansion, treatment of mental illness, and its abuse as a pleasure drug; the third discusses Hofmann's life, chemistry, and passion for nature; a Festschrift commemorating his centenary is also reviewed.
Albert Hofmann's synthesis of LSD, an analogue of ergot alkaloids, sparked revolutions in both the pharmaceutical industry and 1960s society. The drug's extreme potency challenged Emil Fischer's lock-and-key model of enzyme recognition. Hofmann's scientific expertise was overshadowed by LSD's abuse and physiological properties. The article series covers his discovery of LSD, its use for meditation, creativity, consciousness expansion, treatment of mental illness, and abuse as a pleasure drug, along with LSD's role as a catalyst in pharmaceutical innovation.