A review of the clinical effects of psychotomimetic agents
This early review from 1957 details the clinical effects of what was back then still called psychotomimetics, i.e., psychedelics.
Authors
- Osmond, H.
Published
Abstract
From the summary: After indicating that there are a number of substances at present subsumed as psychotomimetic agents I have indicated that these are not yet clearly defined, and I have suggested that while mimicking psychoses is one aspect of these agents, it is not the only or even the most important one. 1 have discussed their great antiquity and have shown how they have attracted man since the dawn of history. Since many drugs produce changes in both body and mind, I consider that some working definition is required that will exclude anesthetics, hypnotics, alcohol, and the derivatives of morphine, atropine, and cocaine. I have suggested as a definition: “psychotomimetic agents are substances that produce changes in thought, perception, mood and sometimes posture, occurring alone or in concert, without causing either major disturbances of the autonomic nervous system or addictive craving, and although, with overdosage, disorientation, memory disturbance, stupor, and even narcosis may occur, these reactions are not characteristic.”
Research Summary of 'A review of the clinical effects of psychotomimetic agents'
Introduction
Osmond reviews a long history of substances that alter perception, thought and mood and have been variously labelled schizogens, hallucinogens, psychotogens and related terms. He argues that these agents have been used across cultures for millennia and that modern chemistry and psychopharmacology have produced synthetics (for example mescaline, LSD, TMA, bufotenin) that permit systematic clinical and experimental investigation. Although these drugs are often discussed for their capacity to mimic aspects of psychosis, Osmond emphasises that this is only one aspect of their significance: they also have potential roles in psychotherapy, training, research into normal and abnormal cognition, and broader social, philosophical and religious enquiry. The paper sets out to survey the clinical effects and uses of these compounds, to propose a working definition that delimits the group of interest, to highlight gaps and methodological problems in existing work, and to suggest a more inclusive nomenclature. Osmond therefore combines historical description, summaries of experimental ‘‘model psychoses,’’ clinical observations (including psychotherapy reports), and reflections on implications for psychology and psychiatry, while calling for more rigorous multidisciplinary research.
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Study Details
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Osmond, H. (1957). A review of the clinical effects of psychotomimetic agents. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 66(3), 418-434. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1957.tb40738.x
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