A review of research from the 1950s and early 1960s examines how mescaline, LSD, and psilocybin affect personality. The evidence suggests that these substances can produce temporary changes in attitudes, mood, and behavior, but lasting personality change is not reliably demonstrated. Studies show that the drug's effects are strongly influenced by the user's expectations, personality, and the setting in which the drug is taken. The review concludes that while these substances may facilitate psychological insight in some individuals, claims of permanent personality transformation remain unsupported by the available data.
Psychedelic therapy for alcoholic patients may work by using LSD to induce a 'peak' experience that breaks through feelings of alienation. An exemplary session report and MMPI data from 69 pilot patients illustrate the approach. Current results suggest that adding psychedelic therapy significantly improves available alcoholic rehabilitation resources, but safe and effective use of LSD requires specialized training.
A 1970 article describes the use of LSD in psychedelic therapy for cancer patients. The authors report that LSD-assisted therapy can produce profound psychological experiences that help patients confront existential distress, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve their quality of life during terminal illness. The therapy involves carefully controlled sessions with psychological support. The text suggests that such treatment may lead to lasting positive changes in patients' attitudes toward death and their remaining time. However, the article is a clinical description and case report, not a controlled trial, and the findings are based on the authors' clinical observations rather than systematic data.