Comparison of the LSD-25 Experience and Delirium Tremens

The authors aim to develop an objective method for studying the subjective aspects of experiences induced by hallucinogenic drugs, particularly lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25). They note the rapid development of new hallucinogenic compounds and their increasing use in treatment and psychodynamic investigations, along with varied and contradictory descriptions of their psychic effects—labeled as experimental schizophrenia, model psychosis, or toxic delirium. The authors' interest is not in LSD-25's therapeutic value or use in psychodynamic investigation, but in creating a method that does not interfere with the experience itself.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Introduction Recently psychiatry has had a renewed interest in drugs with “hallucinogenic” properties. New ones are being made, or extracted from plants, at a rapid rate. These drugs are being used more and more widely in treatment and in psychodynamic investigations. We are struck by the many claims that have been made about these psychopharmacological agents and, in particular, have noted the varied and often contradictory descriptions of their psychic effects—effects which have been labeled “experimental schizophrenia,” “model psychosis,” “toxic delirium,” and so on. In this paper our interest in lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD-25, is not particularly in its value in psychotherapy, or with its use as an agent for investigation of psychodynamics. Rather, our interest is in developing an objective method for studying the subjective aspects of these experiences. We have sought a method which would not interfere with the experience,