Skip to content

Comparison of the Chromosomal Patterns Obtained from Groups of Continued Users, Former Users, and Nonusers of LSD-25

Lewis L. Judd, W.w. Brandkamp, William H. Mcglothlin

American Journal of Psychiatry November 1, 1969 DOI: 10.1176/ajp.126.5.626 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Single-blind study Longitudinal Peer reviewed
Sample size 25
Population Heavy users of LSD-25 (current and former) and drug-free control subjects
Topics LSD
Keywords Chromosome Ingestion Population Physiology Genetics
Citations 16
Key points No significant differences in chromosome breakage rates were found between heavy LSD users and drug-free controls, with mean breakage rates of 1.8% or less across all groups.

Abstract

In a single-blind study chromosome analyses were performed on three groups of subjects: 1) nine heavy users of LSD-25 who have continued to use the drug; 2) eight heavy users of LSD-25 who have ceased to use it; and 3) eight drug-free control subjects. The results revealed no significant differences in chromosome break-age rates between any of the three groups and therefore no temporal factor was elicited regarding chromosome damage and LSD ingestion. The mean breakage rates for all three groups were 1.8 percent or less and did not support earlier findings that LSD ingestion causes an increase in chromosome aberrations over those observed in a normal control population. The authors emphasize the need for a more controlled longitudinal study.