Psychopathology Of LSD Intoxication
Archives of General Psychiatry – August 01, 1964
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Extraordinary psychic symptoms induced by LSD-25 have been documented, with varying effects observed in different individuals. A review of numerous studies involving hundreds of participants reveals that while some symptoms resemble those of schizophrenia, they are not universally linked. Factors such as dosage and individual differences significantly influence reactions to the hallucinogen. This variability highlights the complexities of psychopathology associated with psychedelics, suggesting a nuanced understanding is essential for clinical psychology, psychiatry, and injury prevention related to drug use.
Abstract
A. Hofmann first noted that extraordinary psychic symptoms were induced by LSD-25 (D-lysergic acid diethylamide). Subsequently, W. A. Stoll25and G. Condrau5discussed these symptoms from a phenomenological point of view. Since then numerous studies have been made including those by J. Delay,7M. Rinkel,21W. Frederking,8,9S. Salvatore,22and H. Isbell and associates.12In spite of these investigations, there is, however, no general agreement concerning the interpretation of the so-called LSD-psychosis. Certain of these presumed or inferred that a certain chemical substance might indeed cause schizophrenia. It is clear, however, that all of the LSD symptoms cannot have a necessary relationship to schizophrenia because, as confirmed by many authors, these vary according to the subjects and dosage, among other factors. The effect of LSD on the human subject is too variable to permit the identification of