“More Than Medical Significance”: LSD and American Psychiatry—1953 to 1966
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs January 1, 1987 John R. Neill 18 citations
Between 1953 and 1966, American psychiatry explored LSD not only for therapeutic uses but also for its potential to induce experiences resembling mystical or religious states. Psychiatrists debated whether the drug's effects held meaning beyond clinical symptom relief, with some arguing that LSD could facilitate profound personal insights or spiritual growth. This period saw a shift from viewing LSD strictly as a psychiatric tool to considering its broader philosophical and existential implications. The article traces how these discussions unfolded within professional circles, reflecting tensions between medical, spiritual, and cultural interpretations of psychedelic experiences before LSD was banned and research largely halted.