Exploring Bicycle Day: A Psychedelic Ride into History and Healing

April 19th marks a lesser-known but deeply significant date in counterculture history: Bicycle Day. It commemorates the day in 1943 when Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann intentionally ingested a small amount of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) and experienced its profound effects while riding his bicycle home from his lab. Though he had first synthesized LSD in 1938, it wasn’t until this accidental self-experiment that Hofmann—and the world—discovered the powerful psychedelic effects of the compound.

On that fateful afternoon, Hofmann felt the onset of the substance’s effects and decided to leave work early. With wartime restrictions limiting car use, he took his bicycle—ushering in a surreal, technicolor journey that would ultimately reshape the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and spiritual exploration. What started as a scientific accident became a turning point in the exploration of consciousness and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.

Today, Bicycle Day is celebrated not with fanfare, but with reflection, creativity, and appreciation for the power of the mind. It is particularly resonant in communities that value natural medicine, inner healing, and the responsible use of psychedelics. One such advocate is the founder of Santa Cruz Naturals, who has been a vocal proponent of psychedelic journey work—especially with psilocybin mushrooms.

With a deep belief in the power of natural plant medicines, the founder of Santa Cruz Naturals sees journey work as a path to healing, insight, and self-growth. His advocacy isn’t about recreational escapism—it’s rooted in the growing body of research showing that psychedelics, when used intentionally and in a safe setting, can offer profound relief for those struggling with anxiety, PTSD, depression, and existential distress.

As the national conversation around psychedelics shifts from stigma to science, the relevance of Bicycle Day continues to grow. It reminds us of the role curiosity and openness play in discovery. It also celebrates those who dare to explore altered states—not to escape reality, but to better understand it.

For Santa Cruz Naturals and its founder, Bicycle Day is more than just a quirky footnote in history—it’s a tribute to the potential of the mind, the healing power of nature, and the journey inward that can change everything.