Characterizing the psychological state produced by LSD.

2 studies, involving 69 male inmates of an experimental penal institution, investigated the psychological states produced by LSD as compared with amphetamine and placebo controls. A number of scales on a newly developed subjective drug-effects questionnaire significantly differentiated the groups. This instrument was further used to identify 3 qualitatively different subjective states produced by LSD (moderately euphoric, dysphoric, and ambivalent). New techniques for exploring the perceptual and vocal components of emotional change were also applied. These techniques further elucidated the quality and possible origin of the psychological states produced by LSD. The results (which indicate the presence of highly intense but contradictory emotions) were interpreted in the light of a current theory of emotion and Bartletts concept of effort after meaning. There has been a great deal of interest over the years in LSD and a very large volume of research on its psychological effects. The literature ranges from clinical descriptions of the psychological states produced (e.g., DeShon, Rinkel, Solomon, 1952; Hoch,