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This book was the result of a conference on the pharmacology of psychotomimetic and
psychotherapeutic drugs held by the New York Academy of Sciences, Section of Biology, on
April 12, 13, and 14, 1956. It concerns itself with clinical, biochemical, and neurophysiological
effects of psychotomimetic agents, serotonin, and psychotherapeutic drugs. So much material
is presented that one can only discuss a few of the more pertinent articles.
Research in psychiatry has dramatically changed in a few short years from that concerned
only with psychodynamics to studies in cerebral metabolism, the model psychoses, and the
tranquilizing drugs.
Similarities between behavior produced by lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and schizophrenia
have prompted a thorough investigation of psychotomimetic agents. Of interest is
the fact that despite the gross personality changes produced by LSD it has been most difficult
to define its mechanism of action. A paper by Hoagland indicates that LSD may modify
oxidative