Model Psychoses Induced by LSD-25 in Normals

In a previous article 1 the widespread changes in psychic function induced by d -lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) in 25 normal subjects were described in detail, with special attention to the emotional reaction of the subject to such disturbances in perception as may derange his ability to test reality. The available literature was reviewed, and theories aimed at explaining the working mechanism of this drug were commented upon. In the course of this study it was found that 14 of the 25 subjects developed feelings of persecution. Since this particular delusional trend is easily recognized, special reference was made to the sequential arrangement of those perceptual anomalies which gradually appeared to promote paranoid thinking. When dealing with an acute exogenous toxic psychotic-like reaction, the dissolution of the familiar frames of reference against which reality is ordinarily tested immediately raises the important question whether or not a trend that progresses toward