Psychopathology Of LSD Intoxication

LSD-25 (D-lysergic acid diethylamide) induces extraordinary psychic symptoms, first noted by A. Hofmann and later discussed phenomenologically by W. A. Stoll and G. Condrau. Numerous studies have followed, but there is no general agreement on interpreting the so-called LSD-psychosis. Some researchers inferred that a chemical substance might cause schizophrenia, yet LSD symptoms cannot have a necessary relationship to schizophrenia because they vary according to subjects and dosage, among other factors. The effect of LSD on humans is too variable to permit identification with schizophrenia.

Study at a glance

Abstract

A. Hofmann first noted that extraordinary psychic symptoms were induced by LSD-25 (D-lysergic acid diethylamide). Subsequently, W. A. Stoll25and G. Condrau5discussed these symptoms from a phenomenological point of view. Since then numerous studies have been made including those by J. Delay,7M. Rinkel,21W. Frederking,8,9S. Salvatore,22and H. Isbell and associates.12In spite of these investigations, there is, however, no general agreement concerning the interpretation of the so-called LSD-psychosis. Certain of these presumed or inferred that a certain chemical substance might indeed cause schizophrenia. It is clear, however, that all of the LSD symptoms cannot have a necessary relationship to schizophrenia because, as confirmed by many authors, these vary according to the subjects and dosage, among other factors. The effect of LSD on the human subject is too variable to permit the identification of