Skip to content

BOOTLEGGED ECSTASY

Roy R. Grinker

JAMA March 7, 1964 DOI: 10.1001/jama.1964.03060230096025 (opens in new tab)

Relevant Not relevant

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Topics LSD MDMA Psilocybin
Keywords Gratification Pleasure Pimozide Publicity Hallucinogen Psychotherapist
Citations 16
Key findings Research on LSD-25 and psilocybin has not provided clues to the etiology or therapy of natural psychoses, and the drugs' recreational use for gratification and social belonging has become an untoward byproduct.

Abstract

For several years, quietly and without publicity, several scientists have been studying the behavioral pharmacology of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), and lately psilocybin, on experimental animals and human subjects. The psychotic effects of these drugs have some but not complete similarity to the schizophrenic psychoses, which has resulted in their classification as psychomimetics. Yet the study of their effects has not given a clue to the etiology or therapy of the naturally appearing psychoses, although a wealth of information regarding abnormal mental states has accrued. We are now confronted with two untoward byproducts which have no relation to legitimate scientific endeavors. The first is the widespread use of these drugs by irresponsible lay persons for their "kick" effect, for the gratification derived from vivid hallucinatory experience, and the pleasure of belonging to a "superior" social group which transcends the mundane existence of ordinary people. The second is the experimentation with

Comparable studies

Other narrative reviews on MDMA, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Human Pharmacology of MDMA 2004 Review
Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research 2001 Review
3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”): pharmacology and toxicology in animals and humans 1994 Review
(±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity: Studies in Animals 2000 Review
Amphetamine toxicities 2010 Review

Citations in the library

Cited by 3

Related reading

Explore topics

LSD MDMA Psilocybin