Clinical TrialSchizophreniaLSDLSDLSDLSDCompleted

LSD-25 in Autistic Schizophrenic Children: An Open Observational Study (Freedman 1962)

Open, observational study (Archives of General Psychiatry, March 1962; Freedman AM, Ebin EV, Wilson EA) at a day school for children with schizophrenia. From a total school population of 40, 12 well-known pupils were selected who met the authors' criteria for autistic schizophrenia: 10 boys and 2 girls aged 5 years 11 months to 11 years 10 months; 7 were essentially mute and the other 5 used words or phrases only occasionally. No control arm or randomisation. Intervention: d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) administered in an open exploratory design; dose details and session structure not fully described in available methods extract. Outcomes: behavioural and developmental observations at the day school. No trial registry; pre-dates any formal registration requirement.

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Target Enrollment
12 participants
Study Type
interventional
Design
Non-randomized

Detailed Description

This synthetic trial has been added to our database because a psychedelic paper (about a clinical trial) references this trial, but no (live) registration can be found.

The study involved twelve children, aged approximately six to twelve years, attending a day school for schizophrenic children. The participants were primarily mute or minimally verbal, and the researchers employed an open exploratory design to observe the effects of oral LSD-25 administration.

Doses ranging from 50µg to 200µg were administered in various vehicles such as juice or soft drinks. While researchers observed various somatic and psychic effects, including mood fluctuations and hallucinations, the primary objective of transitioning children from muteness to speech was not achieved.

Study Arms & Interventions

LSD-25

experimental

Oral administration of LSD-25 in a vehicle (e.g., chocolate milk, coffee, orange juice, Coca Cola, cocoa, milk, water) to autistic schizophrenic children.

Interventions

  • LSD100 mcg
    via Oral• single dose• 1 doses total

    Standard dose for most patients; administered in a preferred vehicle.

  • LSD50 mcg
    via Oral• single dose• 1 doses total

    Administered to one smaller girl.

  • LSD200 mcg
    via Oral• single dose• 1 doses total

    Administered to one boy on a second occasion (initial dose was 100µg).

  • LSD110 mcg
    via Oral• single dose• 1 doses total

    Administered on one occasion.

Study Details

  • Status
    Completed
  • Type
    interventional
  • Design
    Non-randomized
  • Target Enrollment12 participants
  • Timeline
    Start: 1960-01-01
    End: 1962-01-01
  • Compounds
    LSDLSDLSDLSD
  • Topic
    Schizophrenia

Related Publications

PaywallindividualPrimary

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

This early study (1962; n=12) with LSD (50-200µg) on children with autism (ASD) and schizophrenia, of which 7 were mute, showed that LSD elicited large psychological changes in this population, but no change in muteness. Procedures for consent were different/non-existent at that time.

Published
Journal
JAMA Psychiatry
Authors
Freedman, A. M.