Neurotoxicity and LSD treatment: a follow-up study of 151 patients in Denmark
History of Psychiatry March 10, 2016 DOI: 10.1177/0957154x16629902 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 154 |
| Population | Danish patients treated with LSD who applied for compensation under the Danish LSD Damages Law |
| Intervention | LSD |
| Topics | LSD |
| Keywords | Danish Homicide Damages Harm Suicide prevention Poison control |
| Citations | 29 |
| Key points | Argues that the neurotoxic potential of LSD should be considered given that two-thirds of treated patients suffered flashbacks and other severe side effects years later. |
Abstract
LSD was introduced in psychiatry in the 1950s. Between 1960 and 1973, nearly 400 patients were treated with LSD in Denmark. By 1964, one homicide, two suicides and four suicide attempts had been reported. In 1986 the Danish LSD Damages Law was passed after complaints by only one patient. According to the Law, all 154 applicants received financial compensation for LSD-inflicted harm. The Danish State Archives has preserved the case material of 151 of the 154 applicants. Most of the patients suffered from severe side effects of the LSD treatment many years afterwards. In particular, two-thirds of the patients had flashbacks. With the recent interest in LSD therapy, we should consider the neurotoxic potential of LSD.
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 24
- Psychedelics and the essential importance of context. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 15, 2018
- Psychiatry & the psychedelic drugs. Past, present & future. Neuropharmacology December 25, 2017
- Adverse Events in Studies of Classic Psychedelics JAMA Psychiatry September 4, 2024
- Attitudes and Beliefs about the Therapeutic Use of Psychedelic Drugs among Psychologists in the United States Journal of Psychoactive Drugs September 1, 2021
- Microdosing psychedelics: Subjective benefits and challenges, substance testing behavior, and the relevance of intention Journal of Psychopharmacology October 8, 2020
and 19 more in the library
Cites 17
- Safety and Efficacy of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide-Assisted Psychotherapy for Anxiety Associated With Life-threatening Diseases The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease March 4, 2014
- The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics November 11, 2008
- ADVERSE REACTIONS TO PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS. A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease October 1, 1984
- The Therapeutic Value of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Mental Illness Journal of Mental Science April 1, 1954
- LSD: My Problem Child The Antioch Review 1981
and 12 more in the library