The Institute is named after Dr. Arthur Heffter, a turn-of-the century German research pharmacologist. He was the first scientist to systematically study a naturally-occurring hallucinogen, publishing his work in 1897. The Heffter Research Institute promotes research of the highest scientific quality with the classical hallucinogens and related compounds (sometimes called psychedelics) in order to contribute to a greater understanding of the mind, leading to the improvement of the human condition, and the alleviation of suffering.