Comparison of the Chromosomal Patterns Obtained from Groups of Continued Users, Former Users, and Nonusers of LSD-25
American Journal of Psychiatry – November 01, 1969
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
LSD-25 ingestion appears not to cause significant chromosome damage. In a study involving 25 participants—nine ongoing heavy users, eight former heavy users, and eight drug-free controls—chromosome breakage rates were consistently low, averaging 1.8% or less across all groups. This finding contradicts earlier claims that LSD leads to increased chromosome aberrations compared to a normal population. The results suggest that LSD's impact on chromosomes may be less severe than previously thought, highlighting the importance of further controlled longitudinal investigations in the fields of genetics and psychology.
Abstract
In a single-blind study chromosome analyses were performed on three groups of subjects: 1) nine heavy users of LSD-25 who have continued to use the drug; 2) eight heavy users of LSD-25 who have ceased to use it; and 3) eight drug-free control subjects. The results revealed no significant differences in chromosome break-age rates between any of the three groups and therefore no temporal factor was elicited regarding chromosome damage and LSD ingestion. The mean breakage rates for all three groups were 1.8 percent or less and did not support earlier findings that LSD ingestion causes an increase in chromosome aberrations over those observed in a normal control population. The authors emphasize the need for a more controlled longitudinal study.