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Article
March 1962

Autistic Schizophrenic Children: An Experiment in the Use of D-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD-25)

Author Affiliations

NEW YORK
Department of Psychiatry, New York Medical College.
Present Address: Creedmoor State Hospital, New York City (Dr. Ebin).

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1962;6(3):203-213. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1962.01710210019003
Abstract

Introduction  Since the hallucinogenic properties of Dlysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) were accidentally discovered by Hoffman in 1943 there has been wide experimentation with the drug designed to test its properties both as a psychotomimetic and as a therapeutic agent. It has been considered by some investigators as having great value in revealing the nature of the schizophrenic state and thereby advancing the understanding that leads to progress in therapy. However, other investigators, while acknowledging the undoubted psychic effects of the drug, insist that the LSD experience cannot be equated with naturally occurring psychosis.1 It is not the first psychopharmaceutical agent to be used as an adjunct to psychotherapy; most of its predecessors were greeted with equal enthusiasm by some because of their action in unlocking the gates of repression and thus leading to disinhibition and catharsis. In fact, according to Hoch,2 careful studies

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