The Dangers of LSD
JAMA – August 08, 1966
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Adverse reactions to lysergic acid diethylamide tartrate (LSD) highlight significant psychiatric risks, with 70 cases revealing symptoms ranging from depressive reactions to psychotic states. Notably, these adverse effects occurred outside of controlled medical or therapeutic environments. Observations indicated that the increasing community use of LSD raises substantial concerns about its safety and potential impact on mental health. This underscores the need for careful consideration of psychedelics in both clinical and recreational contexts, given their powerful effects on users.
Abstract
The symptoms, diagnostic categories, and general characteristics of patients in 70 cases of adverse reactions to lysergic acid diethylamide tartrate (LSD) are varied. Psychiatric side effects ranged from depressive reaction to psychotic states. In all cases, LSD ingestion occurred separately and apart from medical-experimental and psychiatric-therapeutic models of LSD usage. Findings based on these cases and from observations made on LSD users in the community indicate that widespread use of LSD is a cause for concern.