Dreams, Hallucinogenic Drug States, and Schizophrenia: A Psychological and Biological Comparison
Schizophrenia Bulletin 1983 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/9.1.73 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | LSD Serotonin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Schizophrenia object-oriented programming Analogy Attractiveness Dream Psychosis Cognitive psychology Psychotherapist Psychoanalysis Epistemology |
| Citations | 109 |
| Key points | Proposes that compromised ego boundaries, impairing the synthesis of self-representations into a coherent self, underlie the shared characteristics of dreams, hallucinogenic drug states, and schizophrenia, and that serotonin neurotransmission may regulate these states. |
Abstract
Many observers have noted similarities between dreams, hallucinogenic drug states, and schizophrenia. In the present article, certain fundamental areas of convergence between the three states are described. Consideration is given to the hallucinogenic drug model of psychosis: the reasons for its initial attractiveness, and the reasons for its current disfavor. The concept of ego boundaries is defined, examined, and applied to the three states. In these states, the ego's capacity to average or synthesize various self-representations into a continuous, coherent self is compromised--leading to an impairment of the reality-oriented secondary process, and the emergence of the florid attributes of the primary process. This can account for many of the familiar characteristics of the three states. Current neurophysiological theories of dream and hallucinogenic drug states are presented, with emphasis upon serotonin neurotransmission. Serotonin appears to play a prominent role in the regulation of these states. The analogy contained in the present article suggests that serotonin may play a role in regulating schizophrenic states as well.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Experimental Use of Psychedelic (LSD) Psychotherapy | 1970 | Historical analysis | |
| LSD: My Problem Child | 1981 | Historical analysis | |
| On the Use and Abuse of LSD | 1968 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Use of Music in Psychedelic (LSD) Psychotherapy | 1972 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Flashbacks: Recurrent Intrusive Images After the Use of LSD | 1969 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 50
- Psilocybin induces schizophrenia-like psychosis in humans via a serotonin-2 agonist action Neuroreport December 1, 1998
- The default-mode, ego-functions and free-energy: a neurobiological account of Freudian ideas Brain February 28, 2010
- Ego-Dissolution and Psychedelics: Validation of the Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI) Frontiers in Human Neuroscience June 14, 2016
- Clinical investigations of the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca: rationale and regulatory challenges. Pharmacology & Therapeutics May 1, 2004
- The Disorder of Consciousness in Schizophrenia Schizophrenia Bulletin 1987
and 45 more in the library
Cites 23
- Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: Sensitive Neuronal Units in the Midbrain Raphe Science August 16, 1968
- 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methyl-amphetamine (STP): A New Hallucinogenic Drug Science November 3, 1967
- How LSD Originated Journal of Psychedelic Drugs 1979
- An Animal Behavior Model for Studying the Actions of LSD and Related Hallucinogens Science November 12, 1976
- Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) and Lisuride: Differentiation of Their Neuropharmacological Actions Science April 30, 1982
and 18 more in the library