Psychopharmacological Studies of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD-25) Intoxication
A M A Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry – December 01, 1957
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
A compelling finding reveals that small doses of azacyclonol can prevent hallucinations induced by lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), although verification remains inconsistent. In various studies involving dozens of participants, premedication with chlorpromazine and serotonin has shown mixed results—sometimes alleviating LSD effects while at other times intensifying them. Notably, amobarbital and chlorpromazine did not block intoxication from LSD or mescaline but did suppress symptoms during peak effects. This highlights the complexity in distinguishing between true antagonism and mere suppression in pharmacology.
Abstract
One consequence of the recent interest in psychotomimetic drugs has been a search for pharmacological agents that will "block" drug-induced psychological disturbances and hallucinations. Fabing1reported that azacyclonol (Frenquel) in small doses prevented the occurrence of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) "psychoses" in man, although one of us (L. D. C.) was unable to verify this observation.2Other investigators have reported that LSD-25 intoxication is ameliorated by premedication with chlorpromazine,3,4serotonin,5and reserpine.4However, it has also been reported that serotonin6and reserpine3intensify LSD-25 effects. Hoch7found that premedication with amobarbital (Amytal) sodium and chlorpromazine did not prevent LSD-25 or mescaline intoxication but pointed out that such drugs produced suppressive effects when given at the height of the intoxication. Several reasons exist for this confusing state of affairs. There has been a failure to distinguish between true pharmacological antagonism (blocking) and suppression.