Who made the acid?

LSD was first synthesized in 1938 and first taken by a human in 1943 when Swiss chemist Dr. Albert Hoffman was working with the sample from 1938. The creation of this compound was accidental. Hoffman searched for a headache remedy but discovered a chemical that fueled a subcultural movement and permanently altered the global drug culture. After leaving the lab, Hoffman experienced the low dose effects of LSD. Three days later on April 19, 1943 Hoffman was the first human to experience a full blown acid trip He took 250mcg which is a dose considered brave even by veteran psychonauts.

This day is commemorated by LSD users as Bicycle Day. Hoffman dosed himself and was wholly unprepared for the experience. Needless to say, he had a bad trip. Acid circulated among the scientific community for some time before it was discovered by mainstream society. The period between Hoffman's dose and the emergence of acid as a countercultural force is mediated by the acid gurus Timothy Leary, Ken Kesey, and countless other academics who extolled the virtues of this new psychedelic substance.

It is important to point out that between its synthesis and emergence as a mainstream psychedelic is punctuated by intense periods of government interest. The CIA and MI6 played a central role in the distribution and continued relevance of LSD . Clandestine programs by these agencies sought to assess the utility of the drug as a mind control agent. These test ultimately proved utter failures and garnered substantial and well deserved backlash. By the 60s the acid gurus had reclaimed the substance from insane government mind control experiments and touted its mind expanding properties. The early 60s constituted the golden age of LSD.