Healing through LSD?

_{Fig 1. Molecular Structure of LSD Image Egorov Artem}

           What if there was a drug outside of things such as antidepressants (which have had their own negative responses and side effects), that could heal or ease emotional traumas? Lysergic acid diethylamide, also known as LSD has been validated as well as invalidated on its potential therapeutic benefits. Like many psychedelics the usage of such drugs is viewed as controversial, and this could be due to the history behind it as well as the perceptions of drugs in society. 

_{Figure 2 Dr. Hofmann, date unknown, with a chemical model of LSD.}

A Discovery By Accident

              Lysergic acid diethylamide is a semisynthetic drug with chemical compounds of diethylamide and lysergic acid that is found in fungi called ergot that produces its hallucinogenic effects. It was first discovered in the 1930s, by Albert Hoffman in hopes to find a cure for respiratory issues.  The knowledge of the effects came about when Hoffman accidentally consumed it, from what he believes was through his fingertips. “In his 1980 book LSD: My Problem Child, Hofmann described his experience this way: At home I lay down and sank into a not unpleasant intoxicated-like condition, characterized by an extremely stimulated imagination. In a dreamlike state, with eyes closed (I found the daylight to be unpleasantly glaring), I perceived an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors. After some two hours this condition faded away” (LSD’s Origins). In 1948, “ LSD was first distributed by Sandoz pharmaceuticals with two primary applications: (1) analytical psychosis and (2) experimental psychoses” (Carhart-Harris, M. Kaelen, M. Bolstridge).  The rationale for these applications was that LSD could mimic psychosis and therefore allow observation and study of its nature and pathogenesis as well as paradoxically being able to provide mental relaxation from anxiety and obsessional neurosis’ (Carhart-Harris, Kaelen, Bolstridge).  In the 60s the drug began to become popular after psilocybin or “magic mushrooms” were being tested and being reported with the abilities to cure depression. During this era, a British psychiatrist named Humphrey Osmond worked with LSD as a form of therapy for alcoholics and schizophrenics. Osmond became convinced that the controversial thought that LSD mimicked mental illness was not the main function of the drug. It was Osmond, who deduced the group of drugs falling under the category of hallucinogens should be called psychedelics which meant “mind-manifesting” (LSD’s Origins).       

_{Figure 3 Dilated eyes}

The Long Trip          

             LSD “is known for its hallucinogenic properties and psychotic-like symptoms, especially at high doses. It is indeed used as a pharmacological model of psychosis in preclinical research”(Gregorio, Comai, Possa, Gobbi). What is interesting about LSD is that in high doses, it can mimic symptoms of schizophrenia and psychosis due to its ability to invoke hallucinations, delusions, illusions, as well as disorganized thinking. Outside of these symptoms it can also cause “changes in body perception, synaesthesia, thought disorders, and time distortion” (Gregorio, Comai, Possa, Gobbi). “Naturalistic, observational and population based data suggest a positive correlation between psychedelics and mental health” (Carhart-Harris, Goodman). Psychiatrists in the early 50s noted “psychedelics may serve as tools for shortening psychotherapy” (Carhart-Harris, Goodman). Studies in the 50s and 60s in regards to “LSD for alcoholism were supportive for its potential ” for rehabilitation (Carhart-Harris, Goodman). LSD has been shown to have “significant improvements to anxiety” (Carhart-Harris, Goodman). Outside of the initial effects of lysergic diethylamide acid, studies have been conducted to determine the effects on individuals 2 weeks post their initial dosage. These effects have been outlined as the “mid-term outcomes” and “acute outcomes” (Carhart-Harris, Kaelen, Bolstridge). Acute subjective outcomes of LSD were listed as, “increased emotional arousal, heightened blissful state, delusional thinking and paranoia” (Carhart-Harris, Kaelen, Bolstridge). Post the 2-weeks after initial dosage “optimism was significantly increased, trait openness increased, trait agreeableness, decreased distress, and delusional thoughts” (Carhart-Harris, Kaelen, Bolstridge).

An ACRONYM Controversy

          As positive outlooks were being made to utilize LSD as a method of therapy and psychosis, the Cold War Era was inciting the usage of psychedelics such as LSD for brain warfare. “After the CIA heard in the late 40s that the Soviet Union was ramping up efforts to produce LSD…Director Allen Dules approved the program MK Ultra in an attempt to beat Stalin in brain warfare” (Mike Wise). MK Ultra was a CIA program that focused on the “mind control potential of drugs such as LSD” (Harrison Smith). This period of chemical warfare led to experimentation of LSD on soldiers in attempts to be in the lead of brain warfare. One of these scientists conducting experiments was an army psychiatrist named James Ketchum. In search for a “war without death,” he and other researchers envisioned being able to incapacitate enemies by a “breeze bearing psychedelics or a water supply tainted with LSD” (Harrison Smith). 

          When it comes to drugs, the societal concern and perhaps medical is its ability to cause addiction, however there is “evidence that LSD is a drug taken occasionally by recreational users that does not produce addiction”( Gregorio, Comai, Possa, Gobbi). While repeatedly taking any drug can lead to addiction there are several factors that lead lawmakers and scientists to conclude LSD is not a physically addictive drug (LSD’s Origins). One factor is the fact that users build a very rapid tolerance. After several consecutive days of use there are no hallucinogenic effects no matter how much is taken (LSD’s Origins). There is however, still a potential for psychological dependency due to users “becoming dependent on the euphoric feelings the drug gives them” but there is a common consensus that “LSD does not have high potential for psychological dependency” (LSD’s Origins).  The long period of effects make it unlikely for regular purchase or rapid recurring use. According to the DEA, “overdose on LSD is virtually impossible because the lethal dosage is 12000 milligrams while the average general dose equates to 100mg. There have only been two reported incidents of deaths related to the drug’s physiological effects.” This still shows however that all drugs in extremely high doses can have fatal effects and large doses can still cause physical harm even if the result is not in death (LSD Origins). There still lie further reasons for concern, “because the manufacture of LSD is illegal there is no regulation and therefore no practical way of knowing the exact dosage a user may be taking (LSD Origins). This leads to further controversy because there may be an unknown purity in the dosages being taken by common users. Some laboratory tests have reported compounds of LSD to be mixed with other drugs such as PCP, which can have life-threatening side effects. 

Another Perspective

            Despite other people’s experiences, some strongly believe in the benefits that were earlier stated. Perhaps it’s a matter of perception, but there are people who swear by the potential therapeutic effects of the drug. The argument for “psychedelic-aided therapy,” comes up frequently with renowned author Michael Pollan ( Bissel). In his book How to Change Your Mind, Pollan discusses the “rise and fall of psychedelic research” and argues against the societal perceived harm that can be caused by LSD usage. Pollan claims that what he calls, “White-Coat Shamanism” can be transformative and can have a range of therapeutic usage such as battling addiction and “easing existential crises of the terminally ill” (Bissel). Pollan explores mysticism and spirituality of psychedelic trips that begin with a very profound ordeal that brings about dissolution of self (ego) or otherwise known as ego-death.  He also goes on to give anecdotes of other user’s who have had paramount realizations of themselves and what is required to obtain their happiness. One of these happens to be a smoker who decided to quit his addiction after tripping on LSD simply because, “he found it irrelevant” (Bissell). A 2016 study shows that “80% of cancer patients responded positively to psychedelic treatments and the more intense the trip, the more beneficial and long-lasting the effects” (Bissel). 

            So much remains to be seen in regards to the future of LSD. It’s definitely worth looking into and solidifying the facts on whether this drug is one that should be casualized and prescribed to people. With the arguments against it and the counterarguments, what is left is furthermore research and data especially now with some states legalizing its psychedelic cousin marijuana. Hopefully LSD’s controversy will find its proper conclusion.  

References

Bissell, T. (2019, January 7). Michael Pollan Drops Acid — and Comes Back From His Trip Convinced. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/04/books/review/michael-pollan-how-to-change-your-mind.html 

Carhart-Harris, G. (2017). The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs: Past, Present, and Future. Neuropsychopharmacology (New York, N.Y.), 42(11), 2105–2113. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2017.84 

De Gregorio, C. (2016). d-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) as a Model of Psychosis: Mechanism of Action and Pharmacology. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 17(11), 1953–. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17111953 

Egorov. (2020). Fig 1 [Illustration]. https://psychedelicreview.com/crystal-structure-of-lsd-and-5-ht2ar-part-2-binding-details-and-future-psychedelic-research-paths/

Fig 2. (2008). [Photograph]. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/world/europe/30hofmann.html?login=email&auth=login-email 

Fig 3. (2015). [Photograph]. https://i.imgur.com/n1QhiyN.jpg?2 

Liechti, D. (2016). Alterations of consciousness and mystical-type experiences after acute LSD in humans. Psychopharmacology (Berlin, Germany), 234(9-10), 1499–1510. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-016-4453-0 

LSD’s Origins. (2005). In D. Petechuk (Ed.), Drug Education Library. LSD (pp. 10-26). Lucent Books. https://link-gale-com.ccny-proxy1.libr.ccny.cuny.edu/apps/doc/CX3462400007/GVRL?u=cuny_ccny&sid=GVRL&xid=84773e20 

Smith, H. (2019, June 4). James Ketchum, who conducted mind-altering experiments on soldiers, dies at 87. Washington Post. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A587742187/AONE?u=cuny_ccny&sid=AONE&xid=df8c1d72