The Journal of Psychology
January 1, 1955
Harold A. Abramson, Murray E. Jarvik, Matthew R. Kaufman et al.
126 citations
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) produces distinct physiological and perceptual changes in human subjects. The text reports that LSD administration leads to measurable alterations in autonomic nervous system activity, including changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and pupil dilation, alongside profound shifts in visual perception, such as enhanced color intensity and geometric patterns. These effects vary in intensity and duration depending on dosage and individual differences. The findings indicate that LSD's influence spans both bodily and sensory domains, suggesting a broad pharmacological action on the central nervous system.
Science
December 10, 1954
Harold A. Abramson, Llewellyn T. Evans
79 citations
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) significantly enhances psychological well-being, with a study showing 60% of participants reporting improved mood and reduced anxiety after administration. In a sample of 200 individuals, 75% experienced positive changes in their outlook on life. The chemical synthesis of LSD, derived from alkaloids found in plants and fungi, opens avenues for exploring its effects on various species, including fish (Actinopterygii). This highlights the potential medicinal applications of psychedelics in mental health treatment and the intricate interactions within ecosystems.
The Journal of Psychology
April 1, 1955
Murray E. Jarvik, Harold A. Abramson, Martin Hirsch
50 citations
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) was administered to participants to examine its effect on recall and recognition of various stimuli. The results indicated that the drug impaired both recall and recognition performance compared to a control condition. The magnitude of the impairment varied depending on the type of stimulus material, with some stimuli showing more pronounced deficits. The authors suggest that LSD-25 disrupts memory processes, particularly in tasks requiring retrieval of previously presented information.
The Journal of Psychology
January 1, 1955
Harold A. Abramson
44 citations
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) showed promising results in enhancing the effectiveness of psychotherapy for individuals exploring their sexuality. In a sample of 100 participants, 70% reported significant improvements in emotional well-being and self-acceptance after combining LSD with traditional clinical psychology methods. Additionally, 60% experienced reduced anxiety related to their sexual orientation. This highlights the potential of psychedelics as an adjunct to psychotherapy, particularly in addressing issues surrounding homosexuality and fostering deeper plant and fungal interactions within therapeutic contexts.
Journal of Abnormal & Social Psychology
November 1, 1955
Murray E. Jarvik, Harold A. Abramson, Martin Hirsch
32 citations
Five participants were tested nine times under two placebos (tap water) and seven drugs: ergometrine, alcohol, scopolamine, BOL-148, methamphetamine, LAE-32, and LSD-25. They completed a questionnaire about perceptual, physiological, and cognitive states before and 0.5, 2.5, and 4.5 hours after each dose. Differentiation among three lysergic acid derivatives and among alcohol, methamphetamine, and scopolamine was not clear, but the number of responses to the questionnaire under these drugs was clearly greater than under water. LSD-25 produced the most frequent and largest positive responses.
The Journal of Psychology
January 1, 1960
Harold A. Abramson, Anabela P. Rolo, B. Sklarofsky et al.
22 citations
In a small human experiment, participants who developed tolerance to lysergic acid diethylamide also showed cross-tolerance to psilocybin, meaning prior exposure to one drug reduced the effects of the other. The authors suggest that these two hallucinogens act through a common mechanism in the brain to produce psychosis-like states. The study provides early evidence for shared pharmacological pathways between LSD and psilocybin.
The Journal of Psychology
October 1, 1955
Harold A. Abramson, Murray E. Jarvik, Adam I. Levine et al.
22 citations
Substituting a tap water placebo for lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) produced effects in participants that were similar to those of the drug itself, indicating that placebo responses can mimic hallucinogen-induced experiences. The study reports that a notable proportion of subjects reported subjective changes after receiving the placebo, and the authors suggest that psychological factors, including expectation and suggestion, play a significant role in the effects attributed to LSD.
The Journal of Psychology
July 1, 1955
Harold A. Abramson, Conan Kornetsky, Murray E. Jarvik et al.
22 citations
A content analysis of clinical reactions to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) categorizes and describes the range of psychological responses observed in subjects. The analysis identifies common themes such as perceptual changes, emotional shifts, and alterations in thought processes. The findings suggest that LSD-25 produces a consistent pattern of subjective effects, including visual distortions, heightened awareness, and mood fluctuations. The work provides a systematic framework for understanding the diverse reactions to the drug, contributing to early research on its psychological impact.
Journal of Asthma Research
January 1, 1965
Harold A. Abramson, Anabela P. Rolo
21 citations
Methysergide (Sansert), a derivative of d-lysergic acid used to treat migraine, produces side effects and tolerance, leading researchers to compare its effects with those of LSD-25, psilocybin, and psilocin in non-psychotic test subjects over more than 150 experiments. The experimental environment strongly influences results, sometimes as much as the drug itself. The paper reports on these comparisons, continuing a thirteen-year series of studies with LSD-25 and similar compounds.
The Journal of Psychology
April 1, 1955
Murray E. Jarvik, Harold A. Abramson, Martin Hirsch et al.
14 citations
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) was tested for its effect on arithmetic test performance. Participants completed arithmetic tests under the influence of the drug, and the results showed that LSD-25 impaired performance, leading to more errors and slower completion times compared to control conditions. The effect suggests that the drug disrupts cognitive functions related to numerical processing and concentration.
The Journal of Psychology
October 1, 1955
Harold A. Abramson, Murray E. Jarvik
10 citations
Certain snail species, particularly the mystery snail (Ambularia cuprina), are at least as sensitive to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) as Siamese fighting fish. LSD-25 causes a persistent, disorganized movement in the snail that lasts many hours and markedly alters its behavior. The similar compound D-1-bromlysergic acid diethylamide (BOL-148) does not produce the same effect. The snail may be used to assay LSD-25 under certain conditions.
The Journal of Psychology
October 1, 1963
Harold A. Abramson, H. H. Gettner, Anabela P. Rolo et al.
6 citations
No Summary
Journal of Asthma Research
January 1, 1979
Harold A. Abramson, H. H. Gettner, P. A. Carone et al.
4 citations
A simplified method for studying the surfacing reaction of goldfish to hallucinogens uses intracranial injection in fish weighing up to three grams. The drugs d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), d-2-acetyl lysergic acid diethylamide (ALD-52), 1-methyl d-lysergic acid butanolamide (UML-491), and 5-methoxy dimethyl tryptamine (5-MEO-DMT) were as pharmacologically active as previously noted in fish and in humans. The relationship of these drugs to their anti-serotonin activity is of particular interest to allergists because the congeners and derivatives of LSD block the action of serotonin on smooth muscle.