Influence of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD-25) on Subjective Time

The subjective sense of time can be altered by external circumstances, but less is known about how a person's physical state affects time estimation, partly because conditions like fever or delirium make systematic data collection difficult. Experimentally induced physical states, such as those from nitrous oxide or mescaline, allow controlled testing of these effects. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) has a striking effect on the sense of time, as described in various reports.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Introduction Various reports1,14have shown that the subjective sense of time can be considerably altered through changes in the external circumstances under which the judgment is made. Somewhat less is known of the influence of the subject’s physical state on his ability to estimate time. This lack may be at least partially due to the fact that most conditions, such as fever or delirium, which have been described as bringing about such changes often simultaneously make it difficult or impossible to collect systematic data. When physical states are experimentally induced, however, the effects can be better controlled and tested. In this way, information has been obtained on the influence of nitrous oxide13and mescaline6,8on the sense of time. The very striking effect of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) on the sense of time has been described in various ways by those who