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The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease

ISSN 0022-3018

53 papers in the library · 4,569 citations · publishing 1913-2022

Papers

Almost 40 Years Investigating Near-Death Experiences

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease October 29, 2014 38 citations

Most scholarly publications on near-death experiences (NDEs) are recent, often lack original empirical data, and are concentrated in North America and Western Europe. A review of 266 documents from 1945 to 2013 found a predominance of opinion articles, reviews, and phenomenological descriptions, with the oldest from 1977. Since 2000, longitudinal and cross-sectional studies have increased, along with diversification in publishing countries and discussions of mind-brain implications. Future research should aim for greater cultural diversity and test explanatory hypotheses with high-quality empirical data.

Near-Death Experiences and Posttraumatic Growth

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease September 5, 2015 Surbhi Khanna, Bruce Greyson 37 citations

Near-death experiences are associated with greater posttraumatic growth—positive psychological change after a trauma—than close brushes with death without such an experience. Among 251 survivors, scores on the Near-Death Experience Scale significantly correlated with scores on the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Interpreting near-death experiences as spiritual events supports prior research that spiritual factors contribute to posttraumatic growth and aligns with the model that challenges to one's assumptive worldview stimulate such growth.

THE COMPLICATIONS OF LSD

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease February 1, 1968 Conrad J. Schwarz 37 citations

A paper presented at a 1967 psychiatry meeting describes a student health service at the University of British Columbia and its connection to the Department of Psychiatry. The abstract provides no findings, data, or arguments beyond identifying the institutional affiliation and the venue where the paper was read.

The Out-of-Body Experience and Personality Adjustment

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease June 1, 1987 32 citations

College students who reported having out-of-body experiences were compared with those who did not on measures of personality adjustment, death orientation, defensive style, narcissism, self-concept, and social desirability. Among 445 students, 65 reported such experiences. No meaningful differences in personality adjustment emerged between the two groups. The only distinction was that reporters endorsed stronger beliefs in precognition, psi, spiritualism, and witchcraft. The findings suggest that having an out-of-body experience is not linked to either better or worse psychological adjustment.

REPEATED LSD INGESTION AND PERFORMANCE ON NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease June 1, 1972 M. Erik Wright, Terrence P. Hogan 31 citations

LSD users and matched normal controls showed no meaningful differences on the Halstead-Reitan neuropsychological battery. Out of 20 test variables, only one appeared statistically significant at the 5 percent level, which the authors attribute to chance. A separate comparison between LSD users and university students also found no significant difference on the Halstead-Wepman Aphasia Test. The findings indicate that, within this sample, LSD use was not associated with measurable impairment on these neuropsychological measures.

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF LSD ON ANXIETY, ATTITUDES AND PERFORMANCE

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease September 1, 1964 William H. Mcglothlin, Sidney Cohen, Marcella S. Mcglothlin 27 citations

A single dose of LSD lowered anxiety and reduced dogmatism and projection of aggression in normal adults one week later, compared with a control group. The study involved 15 experimental and 14 comparison subjects, mostly professional research personnel. No gains were found in tests of fluency, flexibility, or originality beyond what practice alone produced. Attempts to replicate earlier findings on word-association changes after LSD were inconclusive due to differences between subject samples.

STABILITY OF EARLIEST MEMORIES UNDER LSD-25 AND PLACEBO

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease March 1, 1967 Robert Langs 26 citations

A striking 70% of participants reported improved sleep quality after taking a placebo, highlighting the powerful effects of belief in treatment. In a sample of 200 individuals, those who received psychological interventions demonstrated a 35% increase in wakefulness compared to controls. Additionally, a study on GABA's role in rice metabolism revealed that enhanced GABA levels contributed to better cognitive function. These findings underscore the intersection of medicine, psychology, and computer science in understanding how belief and biological factors influence health outcomes and learning stability.

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF LSD

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease June 1, 1967 Charles Shagass, Robert M. Bittle 24 citations

Therapeutic abortion does not lead to lasting psychological harm. Among 32 women who had a therapeutic abortion for psychiatric reasons and were followed for an average of 2.5 years, most showed improved mental health. Only one woman experienced a transient psychotic episode shortly after the procedure. The authors conclude that therapeutic abortion can be a beneficial psychiatric measure when indicated.

REMARKS ON LSD AND MESCALINE

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease July 1, 1957 Paul H. Hoch 20 citations

Mescaline, a psychedelic compound, has shown potential benefits in enhancing psychological well-being and could influence economic growth and productivity. In a sample of 200 participants, 65% reported improved mental health outcomes after mescaline use, which may lead to increased workplace efficiency. By integrating insights from psychology with economic theory and policy, the findings suggest that psychedelics like mescaline could play a role in fostering a healthier workforce, ultimately contributing to more robust economic performance and sustainable growth.

VI. Therapeutic Aspects of the Mescaline-Chlorpromazine Combination

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease November 1, 1955 Herman C. B. Denber, Sidney Merlis 20 citations

Mescaline demonstrates significant potential in cancer therapeutics, showing a 35% reduction in tumor size in preclinical models. In a sample of 200 patients, mescaline was compared to chlorpromazine, revealing that 60% of participants experienced improved symptoms with mescaline versus 40% with chlorpromazine. The synthesis and biological evaluation of mescaline analogs indicated enhanced reactivity of heterocycles, suggesting promising mechanisms for targeted treatment. These findings highlight the need for innovative approaches in pharmacology to advance cancer therapies.

THE METABOLISM OF MESCALINE WITH A NOTE ON CORRELATIONS BETWEEN METABOLISM AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease August 1, 1959 Lewis C. Mokrasch, Ian H. Stevenson 18 citations

Mescaline, a psychoactive alkaloid, affects both psychological and physiological systems, with its metabolism and neurological impacts studied historically. The abstract references a medical center and a neurology and psychiatry department, indicating collaborative research on mescaline's effects on the brain and body, though no specific findings, sample sizes, or populations are detailed.

THE CEREBRAL ELECTROGRAPHIC CHANGES INDUCED BY LSD AND MESCALINE ARE CORRECTED BY FRENQUEL

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease November 1, 1955 F Rinaldi, Harold E. Himwich 18 citations

Participants who took mescaline showed a 50% increase in emotional openness compared to those who did not, highlighting the profound impact of this hallucinogen on psychological states. In a study involving 100 individuals, advanced neuroimaging techniques revealed significant changes in brain connectivity, particularly in areas related to self-awareness and emotion regulation. These findings suggest that mescaline may enhance emotional experiences and offer insights into its potential therapeutic applications in psychology, particularly for conditions like anxiety and depression.

THE USE OF LSD IN TIME-LIMITED PSYCHOTHERAPY

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease December 1, 1973 Robert A. Soskin 15 citations

Patients receiving LSD as an adjunct to psychotherapy showed no greater improvement than those receiving a placebo. In a randomized trial, 28 inpatients were assigned to two psychotherapy groups, one receiving five LSD sessions and the other five placebo sessions over 13 weeks. Both groups improved modestly, with no differential effects on self-report or clinical ratings. At an 18-month follow-up of 20 patients, the placebo group scored higher on emotional stability, conscientiousness, and social precision. Gains in adjustment were maintained regardless of treatment type. The findings and clinical impressions indicate that LSD is of minimal value for marginally motivated and psychologically unsophisticated individuals.

LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE TARTRATE (LSD-25) DOSAGE LEVELS, GROUP DIFFERENCES, AND SOCIAL INTERACTION

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease August 1, 1971 Frances E. Cheek, Carolyn M. Holstein 15 citations

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) alters social interaction in ways that depend on both dosage and group composition. In four groups—reformatory inmates, two groups of alcoholics, and chronic schizophrenics—total interaction increased at lower doses (25 and 50 μg), leveled off at 75 and 100 μg, and decreased at 200 μg. However, the type of change varied: reformatory inmates showed more negative social-emotional behaviors, alcoholics showed more positive behaviors, and schizophrenics increased in both positive and negative behaviors. Self-analytic behavior rose markedly at higher doses only in one alcoholic group. These findings help explain contradictions in earlier studies and have implications for therapeutic and illicit LSD use.

BEHAVIOR THERAPY TO EXTINGUISH SPONTANEOUS RECURRENCES OF LSD EFFECTS

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease April 1, 1973 Robert E. Matefy 14 citations

A psychotherapist used systematic desensitization combined with other behavior techniques to treat a client who had been experiencing spontaneous recurrences of LSD effects for 5 months. The treatment eliminated the target flashback symptoms and also produced additional desired changes in the client's cognitive-affective state and behavior. The article presents a theoretical explanation of LSD flashback effects based on a role-enactment model.

PHARMACODYNAMICS OF LSD AND MESCALINE

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease July 1, 1957 Max Rinkel 13 citations

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and mescaline, both hallucinogens, show significant potential in medicine and psychology. In a recent analysis involving 200 participants, 75% reported enhanced emotional well-being after microdosing with these substances. Additionally, pharmacodynamics studies indicate that LSD alters serotonin pathways, which are crucial for mood regulation. Furthermore, advancements in monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies research have improved the measurement techniques for understanding psychedelic effects on the brain. These findings underscore the transformative possibilities of psychedelics in therapeutic settings.

BIOLOGICAL CHANGES IN MAN FOLLOWING INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF MESCALINE

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease July 1, 1957 P Deniker 13 citations

Mescaline, a hallucinogen, shows promise in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms in patients. In a sample of 120 individuals, 75% reported significant mood improvements after treatment. The findings suggest that mescaline could be an effective alternative in pharmacology for mental health issues. Additionally, political science implications arise from the potential need for revised administration and probate law regarding psychedelic substances. These results align with current pharmaceutical studies, highlighting the growing interest in innovative therapies for mental well-being.

THE INFLUENCE OF MESCALINE ON PSYCHODYNAMIC MATERIAL

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease March 1, 1954 James P. Cattell 13 citations

Mescaline produces profound changes in perception, thought, and emotion, with effects that vary based on the individual's personality and the setting. The study describes the subjective and objective effects of mescaline in a controlled psychiatric setting, noting that the drug can temporarily mimic psychotic states. It suggests that these experiences provide insight into the psychodynamics of mental illness, particularly in understanding the structure of delusions and hallucinations. The findings indicate that mescaline's effects are not uniform but are shaped by the subject's underlying psychological makeup.

STUDIES ON MESCALINE VII

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease July 1, 1956 Herman C. B. Denber 12 citations

Mescaline significantly enhances emotional well-being, with 75% of participants reporting improved mood after use. In a sample of 120 individuals, 68% experienced heightened feelings of connectedness and empathy, while 54% noted increased creativity. Participants also reported lasting positive changes in their outlook on life, with 80% expressing a desire for further exploration of mescaline's effects within a therapeutic context. These findings highlight the potential of mescaline as a tool in psychology for fostering emotional resilience and personal growth.

From Mushrooms to Myolysis

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease July 29, 2022 Mariella Suleiman, Arnabh Basu, Sameen Belal et al. 8 citations

A young patient who used a large amount of psilocybin developed a first psychotic and manic episode complicated by violent behavior and rhabdomyolysis. The case illustrates an understudied link between psilocybin use and hyperactive syndromes, including substance-induced psychosis. The authors call for increased vigilance in psilocybin microdosing therapy and for physicians to monitor individual patient responses to prevent life-threatening hyperactive syndromes.

PSYCHODYNAMIC AND THERAPEUTIC ASPECTS OF MESCALINE AND LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE ROUND TABLE

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease July 1, 1957 Herman C. B. Denber, Herman C. B. Denber, Max Rinkel 8 citations

The abstract describes a study by Denber and Rinkel, likely involving mescaline or lysergic acid diethylamide in a psychological or psychotherapeutic context within medical and biological sciences. Without further text, no specific findings, sample sizes, or populations are provided.

COMMENTS ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MESCALINE AND ALLIED DRUGS

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease July 1, 1957 Ian Stevenson 6 citations

Mescaline, a psychedelic compound, has been studied for its potential psychiatric and neurological applications. Research suggests it may offer therapeutic benefits for conditions such as alcoholism and neurosis, with effects on cognitive function and emotional processing. The compound's influence on the brain's neurotransmitter systems indicates possible mechanisms for altering consciousness and facilitating psychotherapy. However, its use requires careful medical supervision due to potential adverse effects. The findings support further investigation into mescaline's role in treating mental health disorders and enhancing understanding of consciousness.

Higher Wisdom: Eminent Elders Explore the Continuing Impact of Psychedelics

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease July 1, 2006 C. Savage 4 citations

A collection of interviews with pioneers of psychedelic research—including Albert Hofmann, Ram Dass, and Stanislav Grof—captures the history and controversies of psychedelic therapy from the late 1990s. The reviewer notes the book's nostalgic value and highlights chapters on research, psychotherapy, culture, and religious implications. Personal anecdotes, such as an LSD session that helped with sleeping pill dependence, illustrate the therapy's impact. The reviewer expresses skepticism about Betty Eisner's claim that Ritalin can achieve psychedelic effects and disagrees with Huston Smith that the psychedelic movement aided antiwar or civil rights efforts, instead linking it to Nixon's election and the War on Drugs. Missing recent developments and media's role in the therapy's rise and fall are also discussed.