1965 - Clarifying the Confusion Regarding LSD

8/3/2019 1965 - Clarifying the Confusion Regarding LSD

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J.nerv.ment.Dis. !_, 218-221 (1965). LSD 1326

_ _ #_, r_ JOU]KNAL OF NERVOU[$ AND M_NTAL DISEASE VO|. 140, NO. 3Copyright O 19_ by The Williams & Wilklns Co. Prlnled i. U._. A.

_!- belie:: CLARIFYING THE CONFUSION REGARDING LSD-25 ence, whuse the

CHARLES SAVAGE, M.D. A_DMYRON J. STOLAROFF, M.A. duringciablyIn recent months, both the lay and medi- This comprehensive review has not been materialcal press have been filled with warnings mentioned in the recent publicity. It is true ties affo

about the dangers and harmful effects of that much more work, with tighter research that prthe hallucinogenic agents such as LSD-25, designs and more carefully controlled stud- affectmescaline and psilocybin. These warnings ies, is desirable. Also, the agents are power- presencehave risen in response to flagrant misuse of ful and require special training for safe use. ceptingthe substances by illicit operators using The same, however, may be said of X-rays. fortableblack-market materials for parties and In view of the substantial promise which 3) M"kicks," and by irresponsible investigators even a cursory study of the work of the tunately,who, enthralled with the remarkable possi- leading investigators in this field reveals, it chedelicbilities of these chemicals, have sponsored is puzzling that there should be so little mentsand encouraged their widespread use under acceptance of the usefulness of the hallu- crowdimproperly controlled conditions without cinogens. Following are probably the out- from thmedical supervision, standing reasons : unsavoryIn the furor, sight has been lost of the 1) Lack o/ understandi_g o] the drug to expa

great value of these agents. Summaries of experience: The hallucinogens (more prop- genuinelthe LSD controversy have appeared in the erly called psychedelic agents when used to Dr. Farmedical newspapers (3, 11), and two edi- explore new understanding of the mind) are incltorials that have been widely quoted in the open up dimensions of consciousness with a readypublic press have appeared in American which few therapists are familiar. The has ledMedical Association journals (6, 10). It is heightened sensitivity and enhancement of the psycdoubtful if any medical subject has re- sensory modalities, the reliving of events in controlleceived such complete coverage in the popu- time and other dimensionless phenomena, that afflar magazines over a short period of time and the oft-reported profound philosophic It is fr(1, 4, 5, 7-9, 13, 14, 18, 26, 27). While all and universal experiences, tend to lie outside has com

: these articles have pointed out the dangers the therapists' conceptual frame of refer- outcomeof the hallucinogens, they largely leave the ence. By denying these experiences, or at- Evenreader unaware that there have been nu- tempting to restrict the experience to his sometimmerous studies of these agents as treatment own theoretical framework, the therapist erly, wfor neurotic disturbances, and that en- can produce great conflict in the subject, and absencecouraging success has resulted from their cause him to reject important parts of the fields. Suse. Few substances show such promise for experience or force him into delusional solu- Inade

: deepeningthe understandingof mental tions, theexphenomena, clarifying the many complex 2) Lack o] knowledge o] ]actors af]ecting are nottheories of personality, dynamics and be- the experience: Contrary to the belief of above),havior, and permitting rapid resolution of many investigators, the hallucinogens do a frameemotional difficulties, not produce experiences but inhibit repres- the expAn excellent review of the literature by sive mechanisms that ordinarily operate Impro

the National Institute of Mental Health and simply allow subjects to explore the or ]udgpsychologist, Sanford Unger, appeared in contents of their own minds. The nature of sire tothe May 1963 issue of Psychiatry (25). his exploration will depend on a) the men- experie

tal content, the subject's individual per- ously aIn tern ation al F oun datio n for A dv an ced S tu dy,1149Chestnut Street, Menlo Park, California. sonality, conditioning, attitudes, values and impact218 ' "_

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o.S CLARIFYING LSD CONFUSION 219S.A.

beliefs; b) his preparation for the experi- views that do not encompass what the pa-enee, which determines in part how he will tient is experiencing has_ already been dis-use the opportunity; and c) his environment cussed.during the experience, which very appre- Too ]requent use el LSD: Regardless ofciably affects how he will deal with the the content of the experience and whether

een material he touches on and the opportuni- or not it is interpretable, every exposure of,rue ties afforded. Most investigators now agree the deep layers of the mind produces mate-,rch that preparation and setting profoundly rial which must then be assimilated andud- affect the subject's experience, and the integrated by him into his personalitycer- presence of supportive, understanding, ac- structure. This takes time, and can onlyuse. cepting companions is essential to a corn- be done in the process of facing life experi-_ys. . fortable and rewarding session, ences. To have LSD experiences one on top :lich 3) Misuse el the hallucinogens: Unfor- of another can so swamp the psyche withthe tunately, the dramatic appeal of the psy- data that dissociation is the inevitable re-s, it chedelic experience has attracted many ele- sult. The object of any educational experi-ttle ments of the community--the "beatnik" ence is to produce data for more successfulllu- crowd seeking new experiences or escape living, and to adulterate one with addi-)ut- from the established and the humdrum, the tional data before it has been properly

unsavory elements sensing an opportunity assimilated not only distorts all the data,lrug to expand narcotic traffic, and persons but can result in great confusion.:o_- genuinely seeking greater knowledge. As Improper handling o] patients: By not_lto Dr. Farnsworth has pointed out (6), there understanding the powerful subjectivend) are included many unstable persons seeking states experienced under LSD, uninformed_ith a ready solution to their difficulties, which therapists or companions can wreak con-The has led to flourishing black-market'trade in siderable havoc. Subjects left alone can ,t of the psychedelics, as well as widespread, un- sometimes become quite frightened, or can_sin controlled clandestine usage, in settings escape and commit harmful acts. Thoseena, that afford little in the way of safeguards, permitted to drive while still experiencingphic It is from precisely such illicit usage that imagery are dangerous to themselves and.side has come the bulk of the reports of harmful others. Insensitive companions who do notffer- outcomes, detect the extremelyhostileor destructiveat- Even professional investigators have feelings of the subject may not be readyhis sometimes used these substances improp- with restraints when necessary.

Lpist erly, which undoubtedly accounts for the Improper dosage: Subjects vary appre-and absence of support for research in these ciably in their sensitivity to LSD, and inthe fields. Suchmisuse includes: the rigidity of the intellectual defenses to;olu- Inadequate preparation: If the nature of be penetrated. Consequently, the dosage

the experience and the factors affecting it must be adjusted to the individual patient.ring are not properly understood (as mentioned Under-dosage leads to an unsatisfactory.f of above), then the subject is unlikely to be in experience, where the patient is unable to

_io a frame of mind to take full advantage of break through to a satisfactory resolution)res- the exploration the experience affords, of his problems. Far more dangerous is.,ra_e Improper support to subject: A clinical pronounced overdosage, where subjects maythe or judgmental attitude or too ready a de- be driven into ranges of experience forre of sire to analyze or interpret the patient's which they are not prepared or willing to

nen- experience will inhibit the experience seri- accept, so that they may become consider-per- ously and may cause grave discomfort. The ably unbalanced as a result of the experi-

and ' impactof the therapistholdingconceptual ence. J


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220 SAVAGE AND STOLAROFF

Overenthusiastic response: Just as dam- self-understanding and general knowledge 8. GolYaging as the ignorant and inept administrao prove justified, then the medical profession 9. Gortors of these drugs are those who have be- has an obligation to see that all factors Rcome so enthusiastic about them that they concerning the use of these substances are 10. GriAhave lost their sense of rational judgment, well known, and that the proper circum- 11. HalIt is not unnatural for those who have had stances for their use be well defined and w

the privilege of experiencing profound provided. 12. Hamphilosophic, perhaps even spiritual, truths Among the experienced investigators, a c3:to be elated about them. But by the same great deal of knowledge already exists in 13. Insttoken, it would appear that the more one the proper use of the hallucinogens. Reports 14.KobSahas learned about the nature of things, the representing extensive experience include 15. Leugreater is one's responsibility to society. Sandison (20, 21), Ling (16), Leuner (15), KAnd it seems only natural that the greater Chwelos et al. (2), MacLean et al. (17), 2one penetrates beyond the habitual frames Sherwood et al. (24), Savage et al. (22) thof reference, the more time and work and and Mogar et al. (19), as well as many 16. Linganeffort is required to assimilate such pro- more. Unger (25) and Schmiege (23) pre- Lfound truths into one's daily life. Appar- sent a more comprehensive list. In Europe, 17.Maently there are those who having discov- the work has not aroused the sensationalism Uered a fairly simple way to stand on those and controversy that exists in the United inpsgreat pinnacles of knowledge, choose to re- States. hturn to them frequently and enjoy them In summary, there is substantial evi- is. Marather than to go to the effort of readjust- dence that many avenues may be opened cr19. Moging their personalities to be in line with the up by research with the psychedelics, bothnew truths discovered. The consequences of in developing new treatment methods andthese repeated high dosages seem_ to be the improving the understanding of the humantwofold result of deteriorated judgment and mind. Hazards can be reduced to negligibleimpaired perception and communication on considerations through informed use. Inthe usual level of operation. The ability to addition, proper medical knowledge is ur-work creatively within the structures of gently needed to curtail widespread illicitsociety seems lost, and inflation and feel- use. In" view of these factors, it is hopedings of omnipotence, followed by revolu- that more intensive investigation of thesetion or withdrawal from society are likely, powerful new tools will take place.The conceptual and philosophic basis forthe controversy over LSD is discussed by REFERENCESttarman (12). 1. Asher, H. Experiment with LSD: They splitBy far the greatest damage has been my personality. Saturday Review, 46: 39,caused by the illicit use of the hallucino- 1963.gens. Lay interest has been great, both 2. Chwelos, N., Blewett, D. B., Smith, C. andHoffer, A. Use of LSD-25 in the treatmentthrough fascination with the exploration of of chronic alcoholism. Quart. J. Stud. Alco-new experience and knowledge, and as a hol., 20: 557-590, 1959.means of fulfilling special self-interests. 3. Concern is growing about illicit use of hallu-cinogens. Medical Tribune, March 11, 15, 18,Black market usage of LSD is widespread, 1963.and becoming an ever greater problem. The 4. Coughlan, R. Control of the brain. Life, 15: 90,1963.most effective counter-measure to improper 5. David, L. The men who risk insanity to cureand uninformed use of these agents is for- insanity. Saga, 27: 36, 1964.ward and aggressive medical leadership. 6. Farnsworth, D. L. Hallucinogenic agents.Should the intense public interest in these J.A.M.A., 185: 164,1963.7. Gaines, B. LSD: Status-symbol drug. Cosmo-substances as new avenues to increased politan, 155: 78, 1963.


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CLARIFYING LSD CONFUSION 221go 8. Goldman, R. P. Instant happiness. Ladies" change associated with psychedelic (LSD)Home Journal, 80: 67, 1963. therapy. Psychotherapy, 1: 64-73, 1964.)It 9.Gordon,N. The hallucinogenicrugcult.The 20.Sandison,. A.,Spencer,A.M. and Whitelaw,rs Reporter, 15: 35, 1963. J.D.A. The therapeutic value of lysergicre 10. Grinker, R. R. Lysergic acid diethylamide, acid diethylamidc in mental illness. J. Ment.Arch. Gen. Psychiat.; 8: 425, 1963. Sci., 100: 491-507, 1954.n- : 11. Hallucinogenic drug stirs up trouble. Medical 21. Sandison, R. A. and Whitelaw, J. D. A.ld World News, $: 77, 1963. Further studies in the therapeutic value of

12. Harman, W. W. Some aspects of the psy- lysergic acid diethylamide in mental illness.chedelic-drug controversy. J. Hum. Psychol., J. Ment. Sci., 108: 332--343, 1957.a 8:93--107,963. 22.Savage,C.,Harman, W. W., Fadiman, J.andin 13.Instantmysticism.ime,25: 86,1963. Savage,E. LSD: Therapeuticeffectsf the,ts 14. Kobler, J. The dangerous magic of LSD. psychedelic experience. Psychol. Rep., lJ:Saturday Evening Post, _: 30, 1963. 111-120, 1964.de 15. Leuner, V. H. Die psycholytische therapie: 23. Schmiege, G. R. The current status of LSD_), Klinische psychotherapie mit hilfe yon LSD- as a therapeutic tool. New Jersey Med._) 25 und verwandten substanzen. Z. Psycho- Soc. J., 60: 203, 1963.ther. Med. Psychol., $: 57, 1963. 24. Sherwood, J. N., Stolaroff, M. J. and lq'arman,2) 16. Ling, T. M. and Buckman, J. Lysergic Acid W.W. The psychedelic experience--A neway and Ritalin in the Treatment o/ Neurovi, s. concept in psychotherapy. J. Neuropsychiat.,'e- Lambarde Press, London, 1963. 3: 69--80, 1962.)e, 17. MacLean, J. R., MacDonald, D. C., Byme, 26. Unger, S. Mescaline, LSD, psilocybin andpersonality change. Psychiatry, _6: 111-125, _i

U. P. and Hubbard, A. M. The use of LSD-25 1963. iI_m in the treatment of alcoholism and other 26. Wakefield, W., Harrington, A. and Huxley, A. !;ed psychiatric problems. Quart. J. Stud. Alco- The pros and cons, history and future possi-hol.,2:34-45,1961. bilitiesf vision-inducingsychochemicals.'i-_ 18. Mayer, M. Getting alienated with the right Playboy, 10: 84, 1963.ed crowd at Harvard. Esquire, 60: 73, 1963. 27. Well, A. T. The strange story of the Harvard19. Mogar, R. E. and Savage, C. Personality drug scandal. Look,_7: 38, 1963.,t hRd-anInlr-tit,ed_se

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1965 - Clarifying the Confusion Regarding LSD