“More Than Medical Significance”: LSD and American Psychiatry—1953 to 1966
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – January 01, 1987
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Between 1953 and 1966, nearly 40% of American psychiatrists reported using lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in their practices, highlighting its perceived therapeutic potential. This period saw over 1,000 studies examining LSD's effects on mental health, with approximately 30% of participants experiencing significant improvements in anxiety and depression. The intersection of psychiatry and psychedelics during this era also sparked discussions on spirituality, with many patients reporting profound religious experiences. These findings reflect a complex relationship between medicine, psychology, and the exploration of altered states of consciousness.
Abstract
(1987). “More Than Medical Significance”: LSD and American Psychiatry—1953 to 1966. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs: Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 39-45.