Hoffman should be credited for his efforts as LSD is a tool for exploring the workings of the human mind for which we know so little. Just take alook at the newly discovered effects of the new antidepressants - it may be that they grow or accelerate the growth of new neurons. This class of drug may be more valuable as a tool for exploring the mechanisms of the brain as they are for treating depression.
We know so little about the therapeutic tools that we currently use it is humbling, disturbing, and...exciting for those working on basic mechanisms.
“Hoffman was the first to synthesize LSD. As it does not exist in that form in nature the synthesis is technically a discovery and an invention. ASA is from willow bark which was found to be effective for pain releief. It didnt take a genius to extract all the stuff from the willow bark to identify (discover) ASA as the active component. A formula for synthezing ASA for commercial production was patented and as such an invention”
Strictly speaking, ASA does not exist in nature. A variety of salicylates do, but not the sodium salts or acelyated compound of it, so yes, I’d say you could call it an invention in and of itself. Interestingly, one of the major players in ASA’s synthesis was another chemist, named Hoffman (two f’s, one n - as opposed to the one in this story, Hofmann, with one f and two n’s).