The Substance: Albert Hofmann’s LSD – documentary film about the origins of acid

Movie screening in Helsinki, tue september 2nd, 2025

In 1943, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann discovered LSD. Fractions of a milligram are enough to turn our frameworks of time and space upside down. The first experiments by Albert Hofmann were followed by experiments by psychiatrists, consciousness researchers, visual artists and musicians, and eventually by the banning of the substance in 1966. 

Wonder drug or problem child? On Tuesday September 2nd at 5:30pm, the Association for Psychedelic Education & Culture (Psykedeelisen sivistyksen liitto ry) will be screening the documentary The Substance: Albert Hofmann’s LSD in Helsinki, at Lapinlahden Lähde. The film captures experiments with the drug in psychology and on the street, where it became the psychedelic symbol of the hippie movement. 

Historical footage – including intriguing recordings of LSD experiments – captures the spirit of the times. Associative montage sequences of waves, neon letters, nuclear bombs and military weaponry draw a link between the effect of acid and the era in which people were using it. We get to hear interviews with scientists, Carolyn “Mountain Girl” Garcia who was a member of the wild Merry Pranksters group led by author Ken Kesey, and Nick Sand, the self-taught LSD producer of LSD guru Timothy Leary. Centenarian Alfred Hofmann tells us about his first, awful experience with the drug, and about his critical attitude toward Timothy Leary’s attitude towards LSD, which he found irresponsible and propagandistic.

The movie is in English and German, with Finnish subtitles (with added English in the sections where German is spoken). The venue is wheelchair accessible.

After the screening, we’ll have an audience discussion about the themes of the documentary.

Schedule:
5:00pm Doors open
5:30pm Movie
7:00pm Audience discussion
7:45pm End

The event is organized in collaboration with the Pro Lapinlahti mielenterveysseura (Pro Lapinlahti mental health association) and Lapinlahden Lähde. 

Address: Lapinlahden Lähde, auditorio, Lapinlahdenpolku 8, Helsinki.

Tickets:

Low income 0 € – register here
Standard price 10 € – buy here
Support price 14 € – buy here
Support price 18 € – buy here

By buying a support price ticket you can help us cover our expenses and support our future activities.

Seats are limited, so even if you choose the €0 free access, it is recommended to register in advance! 

Assuming seats are still available, you can also just show up at the door. Payment methods there are MobilePay, payment card or exact sum in cash. 

You can also buy our art book Psykedeelit ja luovuus kotimaisessa kuvataiteessa and our other products at the event.