Long Lasting Effects of LSD on Normals

A single 200μg dose of LSD produced measurable changes in anxiety and attitudes one week later, but no changes in creativity. The study assessed personality, attitude, value, interest, and performance changes in normal subjects after a single LSD session. Some significant changes appeared in anxiety and attitude tests, while creativity measures showed no significant effects. The authors note that evaluating lasting effects of hallucinogens involves more extradrug variables than most drug studies.

Study at a glance

Abstract

THIS IS A report of a study designed to measure personality, attitude, value, interest, and performance changes resulting from the administration of LSD to normals. Several investigators using LSD with humans in nontherapy experiments have observed that some of their subjects report various lasting effects attributable to the drug experience. 1,2 In addition, the recent controversy over the nonmedical use of LSD has given rise to numerous claims and counterclaims in this regard. We have previously reported on a pilot study in which tests of anxiety, attitudes, and creativity were given to 15 subjects prior to, and one week following, a single 200μg LSD session. Some significant changes in the anxiety and attitude tests were observed, but none were found for the creativity measures. 3 The assessment of lasting effects of hallucinogens involves extradrug variables to a greater extent than do most drug studies.