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Nicotinic Acid Modified Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Psychosis

N. Agnew, A. Hoffer

Journal of Mental Science 1955 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.101.422.12 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Intervention LSD
Topics LSD
Citations 26
Key points Argues that experimental or model psychoses, such as those induced by LSD, are not accurate representations of naturally occurring psychoses due to variability, but can be useful for generating and testing hypotheses about disease etiology, mechanisms, or treatment.

Abstract

Theoretical models ranging from neurological to analytical have been introduced in the hope of providing new insights into psychopathology. The flesh and blood model is of more recent origin in this field. The experimental or model psychosis results from giving “normals” drugs which bring about a psychotic-like experience for a few hours. As is the case with theoretical models, the flesh and blood models are not accurate representations of the naturally occurring psychosis. In fact, the variability manifest in most naturally occurring psychoses makes the existence of an accurate model impossible. A model, whether carefully planned and developed or accidentally discovered, is useful to the extent that it assists us in better understanding the naturally occurring process it approximates. It is useful if it enables us to set up and test hypotheses which contribute additional knowledge about disease aetiology, mechanisms, or treatment. The model psychosis to be studied in this paper is that produced by lysergic acid diethylamide (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 9

and 4 more in the library

Cites 3

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