Distortions of Vision and Pain: Two Functional Facets of D-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
Perceptual and Motor Skills December 1, 1979 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.2466/pms.1979.49.2.499
Summary
LSD causes changes in visual perception and pain relief. The visual distortions are linked to a reduction in light input to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), particularly affecting slower or more complex visual pathways. The analgesic effects of LSD, which can also trigger severe psychotic symptoms, are thought to arise from its impact on a pain control system in the midbrain raphe.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | LSD's visual effects are due to reduced light input to the LGN, while its analgesia is linked to actions on a midbrain pain control system. |
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Abstract
D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) produces distortions of visual perception and analgesia. Evidence is advanced from a functional standpoint that the observed visual effects result from an attenuation of light-evoked input to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) from the purely centripetal pathways of the retina. More slowly responding visual afferents or those with more complex receptive fields seem to be affected most. LSD analgesia, accompanied by severe psychotic symptoms, appears to result from drug actions on a centrifugally controlled pain system involving neurons of the midbrain raphe.