LYSERGIC ACID (LSD)

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00184425
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 21, 2025
• Document Release Date: January 15, 1983
• Publication Date: February 3, 1953

STA,IrAr,0 ronm No, 61
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#tc:
Office Memorandum �
TO
FROM
SUBJECT:
Files
Lysergic Acid (LSD)

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT'
DATE: 3 February 1953
1. Lyseric Acid is a synthetic chemical having similar molecular
structures of various ergot derivatives. As is well-krown, or:-ot is a
rust which affects rye during its growth. Also well-known is the fact
that ergot has certain properties which produce mental derangement,
mental and physical disorders, and in certain forms can produce death.
Ergot, however, has very valuable medicinal value, particularly in
connection with treatment of women 17efore and after childbirth and in
curing certain types of migraine headaches.
2. Lysergic Acid (LSD) has, up until recently, been produced by
the SAI1)07, Chemical orc,anization whose main headquarters are at rose?,
awitzerland. The synthetic eroL (LSD) was developed by a Dr. Hoffman,
who is the chief researcher for Sandoz. One of Dr. Hoffman 's many cut-
standim.: assistants, and apparently a protege of Dr. Hoffman's, is.
Dr. nudolph Dircher also a Swiss National.
3. Vcr many years, it has been well-known that 4,'arious doctors,'
psychiatrists, scientists in various countries in DAropc have been
e;wcrimentinE with ergot or Lysergic Acid. This has 1-ecn, as far as
is known, almost always purchased from the Sandoz organization which
sells chemicals to the world. This experimentation generally is of
a psychiatric nature but there have boon. certain indications thal, some
countries, and possibly the Soviet Union,,havc considered the use of
Lysergic Acid for either chemical warfare, psychological warfare, or
military purposes.
5.i.nce the unusual properties of ergot and _tore importantly
Lysergic Acid have been known .to ARTIMCI.: for some time, the develop-
ment of this chemical has been Of intense interest.
In connection with the writer learned long ago that
C. ,(one of the outstanding researchers
in le d o narco,ic, iypnaAc and soporific chemicals and drus)
wad doing research work in Lyscr::IC Acid and was reportedly advocating
its study and vse. SuhsequonV,iy,411001ramr,v.le s=eral trips to
Europe nd durihT these trips to Jrope he vielLed nhHerons indi7idhals
and discussed Lyseric Acid -with them and spent a considerable timpant
or time, with ofrieils of thc,::and.o7, Company incThdingailliWel
41111110111k and others. 100.1010011*upon his return from Europe in
1952, made a report in conneCLIO-6- with this and again stressed the in-
terest in and importance of Lysergic Acid.
0.-
6. Over a mon th ano, this or I In- l'C. C'?:1. Vn: 1 r!.. d i:T:i I.^.:i I. hrough I he
CY Contact Di vi :7 i on '1,11ch ).ncti.r..1,..,(1 th --1. I, 41111111161101b1MMW ( lic 11 bioncd
above ) was than 1-17 i k:, j.Ilf; t11,7 Ini. hod :3 La Los , apr=on t,ly fTorpur-
pose of visitin f;andoz's flew lark representatives and having n,onera1
discussions coneerninn Sandos,'s productions (partici:1=1y Lysergic
Acid). The information forwarded to this office indicated in a not
0., too specifIc manner thatANOMPOUPIps trip had some military signifi-
cance but this has nevor been checked out. This dispatch indicated
C tat N ..,7-4Plir as in c cuaric L witl1.111111111111.0. and tat
C.1
._...t,s- lit -
woul,i'frTiti:,- spend som e timo either at tho home of ' or
company and esired 70M'7 au._norizaon to
''' :
11
& proceed in an a ttem "
pt to pun)) ...,...:4,, 40, . .. �:��-
for information concerning
Lysernic Acid and other pertinent related info-gmation. Sirco �t was
A indieaLed aftor consultation 1-Y?t-7,:r2C/1,-,1!, e. of
/4 of Security, and the writer th,. ;,74,':7-:.- -.1- c,,lic. posnihwy
secure more information froallIMMIF Nan ?nyone '?17-7-"?, a 'fer7r1�..
cneral authorization uas given to him to attempt to obtain from4111
01111111111Lsuch information that he thought pertinent. The results of
this have not vat been 7117(10 avad able to this office. it showld be
noted for the record that i. not in as r.-17.- aa s known a
consultant to this Agency bu, Is a Consultant to thr
of u1,71101momsgt tIc1 holds an contract for many theusands of
dollars fol.xescarch purposos. The writer is not cortai nether
not this Ag%rney in an7 wav is indirectly uicinrj, .., ,.
li.1, it has
A1,.,,,, ns+,,.1,11,11cd f7i.nr tha t , :,,... -.:.; of UT5 is well aware of
IT011: and apparently through %I.-. chaunels is more or l_ss,
able to control the activity C-
. on 29 Januar- 19.53 ..A..... and the writcr had a /1
Along discussion wit4 IS and much of this material was
covered in this ronrcrence. What usefulness to this A;:ency Cm
C. that in some_ ways a problem.
will. be has ot yet been asccr-taineL, hut ;Apparently4111101110feels /1
5. For matter of record, apparently chemists or the 6
. .
Torking for OTS have In the past few weeLs succeeded in brenkinL;
le secret Formula hold by Uandoz for the nanufaeture of Lysergic Acid
and have mnlilfactured for this Agency a large luantity of Lysergic Acid
whIch is available for our c:merimentation. This uork is a closely
guarded OTS secret and should nob be mentioned generally.