Artificial Psychoses Produced by Mescaline

Progress in general medicine often comes from clinical observation or controlled experiments, but psychiatry has limited opportunities for the latter. One available method is the use of intoxicating drugs to study psychological changes, an approach first emphasized by Kraepelin. Many observers have tested drugs like alcohol, caffeine, hyoscine, and cocaine on various psychic faculties, collecting copious data. However, the value of these observations for understanding the psycho-pathology of major psychoses is limited, because producing a true psychosis picture typically requires dangerous or chronic intoxication levels.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Progress in general medicine is brought about by clinical observation or carefully controlled experimental research. In psychiatry there is little opportunity for the latter approach. One of the few methods available at the present time is the use of intoxicating drugs. It was Kraepelin who first emphasized the importance of studying psychological changes produced by drugs. Following his lead many observers have tested their action on various psychic faculties. Copious data have been collected about such agents as alcohol, caffeine, hyoscine and cocaine. But the value of these observations in bringing about an understanding of the psycho-pathology of the major psychoses is limited, since it is rarely possible to produce the picture of a true psychosis without giving the drug in amounts sufficient to bring about dangerous or chronic intoxication.