Dream Becomes Nightmare: Adverse Reactions to LSD
David E. Smith, Richard B. Seymour
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1985 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.1985.10524334 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAdverse reactions to LSD, including terrifying experiences akin to nightmares, are examined through clinical case histories and psychoanalytic interpretation. The paper argues that such reactions often stem from unresolved psychological conflicts and the user's set and setting, rather than being purely pharmacological. It describes how the drug can amplify latent anxieties, leading to panic, paranoia, and prolonged psychotic episodes in vulnerable individuals. The authors suggest that these adverse reactions reveal the deep psychological significance of the LSD experience, linking it to dream states and the unconscious mind.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Dreaming LSD MDMA |
| Keywords | Dream Psychoanalysis Psychology |
| Citations | 14 |
| Key finding | Argues that adverse psychological reactions to LSD, exacerbated by uncontrolled settings and high doses, transformed public and clinical perception of the drug from therapeutic promise to dangerous nightmare. |
Abstract
(1985). Dream Becomes Nightmare: Adverse Reactions to LSD. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs: Vol. 17, LSD in Retrospect, pp. 297-303.