LSD in a Coercive Milieu Therapy Program
Elliott T. Barker, Michaela Buck
Canadian Psychiatric Association Journal October 1, 1977 DOI: 10.1177/070674377702200607 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Patients in a maximum security mental hospital |
| Intervention | LSD |
| Dose | 500 mcg I.M. |
| Duration | Five-year period |
| Topics | LSD |
| Keywords | Interview Contraindication Directive Affect linguistics Vignette Clinical psychology Alternative medicine Law |
| Citations | 15 |
| Key findings | The interviewer's orientation significantly affected patient perception of the LSD experience, and the non-directive model was deemed most reasonable, though no external behavioral changes were observed. |
Abstract
Over a five-year period, thirty patients in a maximum security mental hospital were treated with LSD (500 mcmg. I.M.). Three different styles of interviewing procedure evolved with experience: a medical model, a “responsible street model”, and a non-directive model. The interviewer's orientation appeared to significantly affect the patient's perception of the LSD experience. Since it was felt by the authors that no one set of biased inputs has any demonstrable merit over any other, (except in satisfying the interviewer), the non-directive model was deemed most reasonable. Although all patients reported that the experience was of great benefit, no one else could see changes for better — or worse. Chromosomal studies showed the usual increased frequency of breaks. It is noted that cytogenetic experts do not now see this finding as a contraindication to the use of the drug. It was not thought that the LSD administration in hospital was a significant factor leading to use of street drugs after release. The only difference on administration to psychopaths and schizophrenics was that one-third of the psychopaths (6 of 18) acted out by punching or kicking at someone nearby. When used with the safeguards described, the drug seemed safe and valuable to use in our communities of long-stay patients, because of the high morale engendered.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increased Global Functional Connectivity Correlates with LSD-Induced Ego Dissolution. Human participants | 2016 | Observational cohort | |
| Increased spontaneous MEG signal diversity for psychoactive doses of ketamine, LSD and psilocybin Humans | 2017 | Observational study | |
| Classic psychedelic use is associated with reduced psychological distress and suicidality in the United States adult population. USA adult respondents from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2008-2012) | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 190,000 |
| Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Randomly selected United States adults | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 135,095 |
| Whole-Brain Multimodal Neuroimaging Model Using Serotonin Receptor Maps Explains Non-linear Functional Effects of LSD. Healthy human participants | 2018 | Observational study with computational modeling |