LSD in the Treatment of Alcoholics<sup>*</sup>

Kurland, Albert A.; Savage, Charles; Pahnke, Walter N.; Grof, Stanislav; Olsson, Jennelie

doi:10.1055/s-0028-1094301

Cited by 96 publications

(21 citation statements)

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“…Descriptive research suggests that naturally occurring instances of dramatic positive behavioral change are sometimes associated with spontaneously occurring, transformative psychological experiences, frequently of a mystical-type variety (Miller and C’de Baca, 2001; C’de Baca and Wilbourne, 2004; Forcehimes, 2004). Consistent with this, observations in early studies with classical hallucinogens that examined treatment of drug and alcohol dependence (Chwelos et al, 1959; Kurland et al, 1971; Savage and McCabe, 1973) and psychological distress associated with advanced cancer (Pahnke et al, 1969; Richards et al, 1977) suggested that the occurrence of a mystical-type (i.e., transcendent or peak) experience played a key role in positive therapeutic outcome. Unfortunately, many of the early studies of therapeutic use of hallucinogens used sub-optimal procedures for supporting the experience and/or lacked modern methodological controls now expected of rigorous clinical trials (see Mangini, 1998).…”

Section: Commentmentioning

confidence: 56%

Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later

et al. 2008

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Psilocybin has been used for centuries for religious purposes; however little is known scientifically about its long-term effects. We previously reported the effects of a double-blind study evaluating the psychological effects of a high psilocybin dose. This report presents the 14-month follow-up and examines the relationship of the follow-up results to data obtained at screening and on drug session days. Participants were 36 hallucinogen-naïve adults reporting regular participation in religious/spiritual activities. Oral psilocybin (30 mg/70kg) was administered on one of two or three sessions, with methylphenidate (40 mg/70kg) administered on the other session(s). During sessions, volunteers were encouraged to close their eyes and direct their attention inward. At the 14-month follow-up, 58% and 67%, respectively, of volunteers rated the psilocybin-occasioned experience as being among the five most personally meaningful and among the five most spiritually significant experiences of their lives; 64% indicated the experience increased well-being or life satisfaction; 58% met criteria for having had a “complete” mystical experience. Correlation and regression analyses indicated a central role of the mystical experience assessed on the session day in the high ratings of personal meaning and spiritual significance at follow-up. Of the measures of personality, affect, quality of life, and spirituality assessed across the study, only a scale measuring mystical experience showed a difference from screening. When administered under supportive conditions, psilocybin occasioned experiences similar to spontaneously-occurring mystical experiences that, at 14-month follow-up, were considered by volunteers to be among the most personally meaningful and spiritually significant of their lives.

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Section: Commentmentioning

confidence: 56%

Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later

et al. 2008

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“…Another focus of study was hallucinogen-facilitated therapy in the treatment of alcoholism and other forms of substance dependence (e.g., Smart et al, 1966; Holister et al, 1969; Ludwig et al, 1969; Kurland et al, 1971; Savage and McCabe, 1973). While some studies prepared patients and utilized supportive conditions (e.g., Kurland et al, 1971; Savage and McCabe, 1973), others drastically departed from the “psychedelic therapy” model (and from the guidelines herein), and involved the administration of high doses to unprepared, restrained patients (e.g., Smart et al, 1966).…”

Section: Relevant Historymentioning

confidence: 99%

Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety

2008

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There has recently been a renewal of human research with classical hallucinogens (psychedelics). This paper first briefly discusses the unique history of human hallucinogen research, and then reviews the risks of hallucinogen administration and safeguards for minimizing these risks. Although hallucinogens are relatively safe physiologically and are not considered drugs of dependence, their administration involves unique psychological risks. The most likely risk is overwhelming distress during drug action (“bad trip”), which could lead to potentially dangerous behavior such as leaving the study site. Less common are prolonged psychoses triggered by hallucinogens. Safeguards against these risks include the exclusion of volunteers with personal or family history of psychotic disorders or other severe psychiatric disorders, establishing trust and rapport between session monitors and volunteer before the session, careful volunteer preparation, a safe physical session environment, and interpersonal support from at least two study monitors during the session. Investigators should probe for the relatively rare hallucinogen persisting perception disorder in follow up contact. Persisting adverse reactions are rare when research is conducted along these guidelines. Incautious research may jeopardize participant safety and future research. However, carefully conducted research may inform the treatment of psychiatric disorders, and may lead to advances in basic science.

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“…The research team at Spring Grove has used this therapeutic approach in the past on chronic alcoholics (8,11), in patients with various forms of psycho neuroses and character disorders (9,13), and in narcotic drug addicts (12). Despite severe psychiatric pathology in many of the cases treated, there has been no evidence of long term psychological or physical harm directly attributable to the treatment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

LSD-Assisted Psychotherapy in Patients with Terminal Cancer

Grof¹,

Goodman²,

Richards³

et al. 1973

Int Pharmacopsychiatry

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152

105

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The paper describes the results of a clinical study exploring the potential of a complex psychotherapeutic program utilizing psychedelic compounds to alleviate the emotional and physical suffering of cancer patients. A total of 60 cancer patients participated in this experimental study. In 44 of these patients, LSD (200-500 p%per os) was administered as an adjunct to psychotherapy; in 19 patients, a new psychedelic compound, dipropyltryptamine (DPT) was administered (60-105 mg i.m.). Three of these patients received both LSD and DPT administered on different sessions. The therapeutic results were assessed by means of a rating scale reflecting the degree of the patients’ depression, psychological isolation, anxiety, difficulty in management, fear of death, and pain. The ratings were done by attending physicians, nurses, family members, LSD therapists and cotherapists, and independent raters. In addition, the amount of narcotics required in the management of the patient was measured before and after the psychedelic sessions. Systematic rating was carried out in a group of 31 cancer patients treated by LSD. The comparison of the means of individual ratings from pre- to posttreatment showed significant improvement in all the measured parameters for most of the raters. There was a definite reduction of the narcotic medication; it did not, however, reach the level of statistical significance. The pre- to post-treatment comparison of the global indexes used as gross indicators of the degree of emotional and physical distress, indicated that approximately 29 % of the patients showed dramatic improvement, and another 41.9 % moderate improvement, with 22.6 % essentially unchanged. In 6.4 % of the patients, global indexes showed a decrement in the posttherapy ratings.

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LSD in the Treatment of Alcoholics^*

Cited by 96 publications

References 0 publications

Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later

Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later

Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety

LSD-Assisted Psychotherapy in Patients with Terminal Cancer

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LSD in the Treatment of Alcoholics*

Cited by 96 publications

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Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later

Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later

Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety

LSD-Assisted Psychotherapy in Patients with Terminal Cancer

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LSD in the Treatment of Alcoholics^*