A follow-up study of psycholytic therapy with the aid of LSD

Abstract

Psychotherapy with LSD was used at Modum Bads Nervesanatorium (MBN) from 1961, and In 968 a questionnaire was sent out to the first 300 patients treated, in which they were to state results and experience of the treatment, psychic condition, and treatment after the hospitalization at MBN. Because the question whether LSD influenced the chromosomes was topical at that time, a major part of the questions focused on hereditary influence. This unfinished study from 1968 is now completed. The follow-up study was answered by 239 patients (80%), 44% women and 56% men. Sixty-three per cent reported that the LSD psychotherapy had helped, and 38% stated that they were well at the time of the follow-up. Ten per cent of the patients reported negative symptomatic effects of the psycholytic treatment. No connection was found between diagnosis, age, and worsening of the symptoms. Among the obsessive neuroses, 15 (63%) of 24 patients stated that they had had a positive result of the treatment, and 13 (54%) stated that they were well. For the obsessive neuroses, a distinct connection was found between the reported result of the treatment and the number of treatments. One patient had tried LSD on his own, but no indications of abuse among the patients were obtained. The study could not confirm any hereditary consequences of the LSD treatment. In light of the methodologic limitations of the follow-up study, one cannot, even though the answers appear interesting, decisively conclude that the LSD psychotherapy had a treatment effect.

□Follow-up study, LSD, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Psycholytic treatment, Psychotherapy.