LSD in the supportive care of the terminally ill cancer patient
This open-label case study (1985, n=4) describes the experience of administrating LSD (100-400μg, multiple sessions) in supportive circumstances but without much knowledge of set & setting and effective therapeutic interventions.
Authors
- Kurland, A. A.
Published
Abstract
From the conclusion: In the search for new techniques that might enhance the efficacy of psychotherapy, particularly in those patients whose motivational powers have been weakened or lost, a compound such as LSD may hold considerable promise. This is reinforced by the fact that the experiences in this study indicate that trained personnel can implement the psychedelic procedure with relatively high safety and replicate its major objective, the peak experience, to a degree that makes the phenomenon difficult to sweep under the experimental rug. At the same time, it underscores the need for controlled studies, an objective that may be very difficult to achieve in view of the unique nature of the drug experience and its therapeutic objective.
Research Summary of 'LSD in the supportive care of the terminally ill cancer patient'
Introduction
Supportive care for terminal cancer patients often fails to address psychological suffering alongside physical symptoms, and persistent pain plus heavy use of narcotics can restrict awareness and impede psychotherapeutic efforts. Earlier anecdotal and small observational reports suggested that lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) can alter perception, reduce pain and sometimes produce profound meaningful or mystical experiences that might relieve despair and facilitate communication between dying patients and their families. Prior work cited by the author includes chemotherapeutic use of LSD as an analgesic and literary and clinical accounts that framed mystical states as potentially helpful at the end of life. Kurland and colleagues initiated an experimental programme to evaluate LSD administered within a structured psychotherapeutic framework they term psychedelic peak psychotherapy. The intervention sought to maintain patient awareness while easing depression, anxiety and pain, and to encourage a peak or “psychedelic” experience that could reduce isolation and enhance interpersonal connection. The programme grew from a single unplanned clinical treatment of a staff member and the authors set out to describe their methods, clinical vignettes and impressions of safety and therapeutic effect in terminal cancer patients.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compound
- Topics
- APA Citation
Kurland, A. A. (1985). LSD in the supportive care of the terminally ill cancer patient. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 17(4), 279-290. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.1985.10524332
References (2)
Papers cited by this study that are also in Blossom
Osmond, H. · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (2010)
Pahnke, W. N. · Psychedelic Review (1969)
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