Mystic Chemist tells the story of Albert Hofmann’s life and the parallel story of LSD.
Authors Dieter A. Hagenbach and Lucius Werthmüller, close friends of Albert Hofmann, take readers on a journey through Hofmann’s mystical childhood experiences with nature, to his chemistry studies with Nobel Prize winner Paul Karrer in Zurich, through his discoveries of both LSD and psilocybin at Sandoz, to his adventurous expeditions, and to his many years of retirement devoted to philosophy of nature. The authors document Hofmann’s rich social life including interactions with Aldous Huxley, Timothy Leary, and Richard Alpert (Ram Dass).
Throughout Mystic Chemist, the authors reveal the eventful history of LSD and chronicle Hofmann’s groundbreaking work — later featured in the 2022 Netflix documentary series “How to Change Your Mind.” Hofmann maintained that mystical experiences and trips to other worlds of consciousness are the best preparation for the very last journey we all must eventually make.
Mystic Chemist contains more than 500 photos, illustrations and drawings, as well as a foreword by Stanislav Grof.
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Why this book matters
- The definitive biography of Albert Hofmann — the chemist who discovered LSD and psilocybin, and one of the most consequential scientists of the 20th century
- Written by two of Hofmann’s closest friends, with access to personal stories, correspondence, and a lifetime of shared memory
- Over 500 photos, illustrations, and drawings — a visually rich portrait of a life lived at the intersection of science, mysticism, and nature
- Foreword by Stanislav Grof — the world’s leading researcher in psychedelic-assisted therapy and a lifelong collaborator of Hofmann’s
- Featured in the 2022 Netflix series “How to Change Your Mind” — essential context for the current renaissance of psychedelic science and therapy
