The psychopharmacology of hallucinogens.
H D Abraham, A M Aldridge, P Gogia
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology April 1, 1996 DOI: 10.1016/0893-133x(95)00136-2 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractHallucinogenic drugs have been used throughout history, and their purification led to hopes for therapeutic use, but abuse and adverse effects have complicated that promise. This review covers the history of hallucinogens, current abuse epidemiology, links between LSD and prolonged psychoses or hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, and attempts to show therapeutic efficacy. It also discusses human subject issues in hallucinogen research and suggests future studies in humans, animals, and tissue cultures.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 155 |
| Key finding | Hallucinogen abuse and adverse effects have clouded therapeutic potential, and the review examines the controversy, including LSD's association with prolonged psychoses and hallucinogen persisting perception disorder. |
Abstract
Hallucinogenic drugs have been inhaled, ingested, worshipped, and reviled since prehistory. With the purification and synthesis of bontanical preparations and the ensuing discovery of chemically unique agents, hope was raised regarding their therapeutic potential, but this hope has been clouded by an epidemic of abuse and an inventory of adverse effects. This review examines aspects of that controversy, including the history of hallucinogens, epidemiology of current hallucinogen abuse, the association of LSD use with prolonged psychoses and hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, and the efforts to demonstrate the drug's therapeutic efficacy. Human subject ramifications in hallucinogen experimentation are discussed. Future lines of research are suggested in human, animal, and tissue culture paradigms.