A preliminary study explored whether psychedelic agents (LSD-25, mescaline) can facilitate creative problem-solving. Twenty-seven professionally employed males received a single psychedelic experience in small groups after extensive selection and preparation. The session was carefully structured to shape participants' expectations and create a supportive social environment. Tentative findings from creativity tests, subjective reports, self-ratings, and the usefulness of problem solutions suggested that, under this regimen, psychedelic agents seem to facilitate creative problem-solving, especially during the “illumination phase.” The results also suggested that various degrees of increased creative ability may persist for at least some weeks after the session.
By simultaneously administering massive doses of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and mescaline, the authors aimed to produce a profound and impressive experience for the patient that changes their evaluation of past life experiences, potentially leading to new values and a more realistic frame of reference. The experience is broadly likened to a religious conversion. The paper describes patient preparation, administration and dosage, and the modalities of experience under the drug, with a few short illustrative cases.