Bicycle Day is celebrated annually on April 19th and commemorates the day in 1943 when Dr. Albert Hofmann first intentionally ingested Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) and experienced its profound psychoactive effects. Hofmann, a Swiss chemist working for Sandoz Laboratories, initially synthesized LSD in 1938 while researching medicinal uses of ergot, a fungus that grows on grains. It wasn't until five years later that he accidentally absorbed a small amount of the substance through his fingertips and discovered its potent effects.
Curious about the substance, Hofmann decided to conduct a self-experiment to understand the effects better. On April 19, 1943, he ingested 250 micrograms of LSD, an amount he thought would be a threshold dose (it was actually more than enough to induce significant effects). What followed was a dramatic experience of altered perception and thought, which became especially intense during his bicycle ride home from the laboratory, hence the name "Bicycle Day."
The day is marked by enthusiasts of psychedelic culture, who view Hofmann's experience as a pivotal moment in the understanding of the mind and the potential therapeutic uses of psychedelic drugs. Celebrations often include discussions on psychedelic research, art inspired by psychedelic experiences, and advocacy for the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of psychedelics.
