Model Psychoses Induced by LSD-25 in Normals
A M A Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry – June 01, 1956
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Mescaline and LSD-25 have been pivotal in understanding psychosis, revealing striking similarities to schizophrenia symptoms. In early experiments, mescaline induced profound psychological effects, paralleling those of mental health disorders in 70% of participants. This milestone in experimental psychiatry highlighted the potential of psychedelics in exploring the mind. The organic theory of psychoses gained traction during this period, with substances like methaqualone and cannabis also contributing to insights into altered states of consciousness and their implications for psychology and psychiatry.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Experimental psychosis has a long history. It might have started with the administration of Cannabis indica boiling in wine to the ancient Hun warriors, resulting in mental obfuscation, as they were prepared for surgery because of wounds sustained in battle. Scientific experimental psychiatry began toward the end of the last century, in the Kraepelinian era—when the organic theory of psychoses was in its fullest vogue. Beringer's experiments with mescaline1marked a milestone in research in that many of the symptoms induced were highly similar to those encountered in schizophrenia and the drug seemed to have had a selective affinity for the brain. The discovery of LSD-25* by Stoll and Hoffmann2was an even more exciting event, because the drug worked similarly in infinitesimal-trace amounts. Stoll3(1947) suggested the pharmacological designationPhantastiumfor this substance, and he classified the resultant model psychosis as that of the acute