Psychedelic Psychotherapy using LSD

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and other psychotropic substances in conjunction with forms of psychotherapy for treating psychological disorders. The paper discusses the research surrounding the use of LSD and concludes that although more studies need to be done, LSD shows much promise in many forms of therapy.

From the Paper:

"Even "bad trips" can sometimes have positive effects on individuals. This effect is described in Gary Fisher's 1999 article "Successful Outcome of a Single LSD Treatment in a Chronically Dysfunctional Man." The article describes a man that had been treated by nearly every known method of psychology as of the 1960s for over fifteen years with no success. This patient "had numerous diagnoses from a host of diagnosticians ranging from chronic schizophrenia to severe narcissistic character disorder" (Fisher, 1999, p. 1). He was also a complete recluse and had not left the house in several years. Dr. Fisher was contacted to attempt an LSD therapy session. After under going an LSD session that was "a living hell" (Fisher, 1999, p. 6), the patient was observed for the night and then sent home. After perhaps just several days, consisting of no other therapies, the patient started leaving the house and got a job at a local library. After a couple of months he had moved out of his parent's home and seemed to start a normal life."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Abrahart, D. (1998). A Critical Review of Theories and Research Concerning Lysergic Acid
• Diethylamide (LSD) and Mental Health. Submitted as part fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Master of Arts degree in Mental Health Studies at the University of Portsmouth.
• Doblin, R., Beck, J., Chapman, K., & Alioto, M. (1999). Dr. Oscar Janiger's Pioneering LSD Research: A Forty Year Follow-up. From the Bulletin of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies MAPS - Volume 9, Number 1, Spring 1999 p. 7-21.
• Fisher, G. (1997). Treatment of Childhood Schizophrenia Utilizing LSD and Psilocybin. From the Newsletter of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies MAPS - Volume 7, Number 3, Summer 1997 p. 18-25.
• Fisher, G. (1999). Successful Outcome of a Single LSD Treatment in a Chronically Dysfunctional Man. From the Bulletin of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies MAPS - Volume 9, Number 2, Summer 1999 p. 11-14.

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