Kraepelinian dichotomy

Abstract

Crowley's in-depth understanding of the complexity in-depth understanding of the complexity and value of the altered state of and value of the altered state of consciousness.Thankfully, there are clini-consciousness.Thankfully, there are clinicians such as Dr Crowley with the con-cians such as Dr Crowley with the confidence not to dismiss the non-ordinary fidence not to dismiss the non-ordinary state of consciousness as mere 'acute confu-state of consciousness as mere 'acute confusion', but to believe that psychedelics, and sion', but to believe that psychedelics, and non-drug non-ordinary states of conscious-non-drug non-ordinary states of consciousness, can inform and enlighten us with new ness, can inform and enlighten us with new approaches to understanding the mechan-approaches to understanding the mechanisms (and associated pathologies) of the isms (and associated pathologies) of the brain.Since the earliest human societies brain.Since the earliest human societies we have sought knowledge and healing we have sought knowledge and healing from these states -perhaps now this tech-from these states -perhaps now this technique can be utilised in a scientific and nique can be utilised in a scientific and evidence-based approach to relieve the bur-evidence-based approach to relieve the burden of anxiety disorders for today's patients.den of anxiety disorders for today's patients.I am most grateful to Dr Sandison for I am most grateful to Dr Sandison for his kind and supportive words -and thank his kind and supportive words -and thank him for the correction regarding the date of him for the correction regarding the date of the American Psychiatric Association con-the American Psychiatric Association conference in 1955.I share his astonishment ference in 1955.I share his astonishment at the medical profession's inability or at the medical profession's inability or unwillingness to embrace the therapeutic unwillingness to embrace the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances.This potential of psychedelic substances.This shortcoming is augmented by the fact that shortcoming is augmented by the fact that the hiatus in research over the past 40 years the hiatus in research over the past 40 years appears to have been for socio-political appears to have been for socio-political rather than scientific reasons -and it is rather than scientific reasons -and it is those pioneering psychiatrists like Dr those pioneering psychiatrists like Dr Sandison who are right to feel disheartened.Sandison who are right to feel disheartened.I am enthusiastic, however, at the I am enthusiastic, however, at the current re-emergence of interest in this current re-emergence of interest in this field.There are increasing numbers of field.There are increasing numbers of randomised controlled trials of psychedelics randomised controlled trials of psychedelics (largely from the USA) and these may yield (largely from the USA) and these may yield results that guide future therapeutic results that guide future therapeutic applications (http://www.maps.org;http:// applications (http://www.maps.org;http:// www.heffter.org).There is also increasing www.heffter.org).There is also increasing interest in using psychedelics in conscious-interest in using psychedelics in consciousness research in the UK (http://www.ness research in the UK (http://www.beckleyfoundation.org).beckleyfoundation.org).I do hope that my article, and a forth-I do hope that my article, and a forthcoming meeting to be held at the College coming meeting to be held at the College (contact me at drbensessa (contact me at drbensessa@ @hotmail.comhotmail.comfor further details), can help raise aware-for further details), can help raise awareness of this subject.I also agree with Dr ness of this subject.I also agree with Dr Sandison in