LSD experiments by the United States Army
History of Psychiatry – July 07, 2017
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
LSD testing on US soldiers from 1955 to 1967 revealed significant health complications, with reports indicating frequent severe side effects attributed directly to the drug. The Veterans Health Initiative Report in 2003 highlighted these issues but downplayed their severity. Out of numerous documented cases, a substantial percentage experienced long-term complications. As interest in psychedelics grows within psychiatry, it is crucial to provide an honest account of LSD's impact on behavior and health, moving beyond the sanitized narratives currently available.
Abstract
Extensive LSD testing was conducted by the US Army at Edgewood Arsenal and other locations from 1955 to 1967. A number of different reports have been produced describing the health effects of this testing, including the Veterans Health Initiative Report in 2003. By and large, these reports gloss over and minimize the short and long-term side effects and complications of this testing. However, the reports themselves document frequent, severe complications of the LSD. These side effects were regarded by the Army as having been directly caused by the LSD exposure. In view of the current resurgence of interest in hallucinogens within psychiatry, the sanitized version of the effects of LSD exposure on US soldiers needs to be replaced with a more accurate account.