From its 15th century university, to its world-renowned art fairs, to its title as the birthplace of LSD, it has proven to be a haven for inquiring minds. Basel: The Psychedelic City.

The Setting For A Chemical Revolution

Bordering both France and Germany, with the liquid highway of the Rhine, Basel was to become a port of information and trade. The university was founded in 1460. Two centuries later the Kunstmuseum followed, which still stands as the world’s oldest public art gallery. In addition to this, it became a hub for new chemical dye processes during the Reformation, perhaps setting the stage for another chemical revolution that was yet to come.

The Birth of LSD

We are, of course, talking about the aforementioned birth of LSD. The picturesque city was the place that Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann first synthesized the chemical compound known initially as LSD-25. Hofmann was working at large pharmaceutical firm Sandoz (now Novartis) in the city, when he stumbled across a substance that would become revolutionary in more ways than one. 

The story is now the stuff of legend. In 1938, Hofmann had been set the task of isolating and synthesizing compounds from the fungus called ergot. One of the compounds, LSD-25, did not produce particularly remarkable effects in the animal test subjects, but their curious restlessness was enough to pique Hofmann’s interest. However, despite this, Hofmann had to shelve his research as no immediate use could be found. 

The Famous Bicycle Ride

In 1943 however, 5 years later, Hofmann returned to the substance that had remained in the back of his mind. During his renewed research, he accidentally ingested some of the compound, and experienced strange effects (the first human LSD trip FYI!). Three days later, on April 19th, Hofmann decided to purposefully ingest his creation. Ingesting an unknowingly heroic dose, Hofmann tripped out, and embarked upon his now famous bicycle ride home. (Learn about it in-depth here!)

Celebrating In Basel

Nowhere are the Bicycle Day celebrations more diverse than in Basel. From trippy music festivals, to science conferences, to of course, bike rides around the city, there is something for everyone. There are various guided bicycle tours, including one by PhD researcher Sandra Lang. Her’s is an extremely comprehensive tour, starting at the gates of the lab Hofmann worked at, around the city, to where his home used to be. Along the 8.5km ride Lang imparts fascinating tidbits of chemical history. Then, you can complement this experience with a trip to the Pharmaceutical Museum. 

The Past and Future of LSD Research

Appropriately, Basel is not just a main player in the history of psychedelic research. It is highly important in its future too. As well as the many conferences about chemical advances that take place there, the University Hospital Basel is leading the charge when it comes to today’s LSD research. Here are a couple of the studies that the University is currently facilitating:

LSD Treatment for Anxiety:

40 participants with Anxiety Disorder will take part in this placebo controlled study. They will be given a one-time dose of LSD. 

LSD Treatment for Cluster Headaches:

The debilitating effects of cluster headaches are lessened by LSD. This study will be placebo controlled, double-blind, and 30 patients will take part. They will receive three doses of 100 micrograms of LSD (or a placebo) over a course of 3 weeks.

LSD Treatment for Major Depression:

This study will test LSD therapy on 60 patients with Major Depressive Disorder. The treatment group will have two sessions, one of 100 micrograms of LSD and another with 200 micrograms. The control group will be given an ‘active’ placebo for the two sessions (25 and 50 micrograms respectively). The study will be completed in 2023.

So there you have it. Basel— a quaint European city, but also a hotbed of innovation and progress. Put it on your post-lockdown travel list!