A psychotherapeutic program using psychedelic compounds (LSD and DPT) was tested in 60 cancer patients to reduce emotional and physical suffering. Ratings by physicians, nurses, family members, and therapists showed significant improvement in depression, anxiety, fear of death, pain, and psychological isolation after treatment. Narcotic use decreased but not significantly. Global distress indexes indicated dramatic improvement in about 29% of patients, moderate improvement in 41.9%, no change in 22.6%, and worsening in 6.4%.
A double-blind, controlled study with 135 chronic alcoholics tested whether a high dose of LSD (450 micrograms) as an adjunct to psychotherapy, called psychedelic peak therapy, improved outcomes more than a low dose (50 micrograms). Both groups were treated in a hospital and followed for 18 months. At 6 months, the high-dose group showed a statistically significant advantage in drinking behavior and global adjustment. However, this initial gain faded, and by 12 to 18 months there were no significant differences between groups. Despite this, both groups showed considerably better overall improvement than typical alcoholics in the same setting without LSD-assisted psychotherapy. Further research is needed to sustain initial benefits.