Spring Grove / Maryland Psychiatric Research Center LSD-Assisted Psychotherapy Program for Terminal Cancer (Pahnke, Grof, Richards, Kurland ~1965–1972)

Uncontrolled open pilot clinical series of LSD- and DPT-assisted psychotherapy for terminal cancer patients conducted at Spring Grove State Hospital and the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Baltimore MD (~1965–1972; key investigators: Walter Pahnke, Stanislav Grof, William Richards, Albert Kurland). Total n~60 terminal cancer patients by July 1972 (P1 reports n=31 in earlier series; P2/P5 overlap with later cohort). Participants: referred for significant pain, depression, tension, anxiety or psychological isolation; estimated life expectancy ≥3 months. Sessions: single supervised psychedelic session (LSD 200–500 mcg IM, modal 300 mcg; or DPT 60–105 mg parenterally for shorter effect), with male-female therapist dyad, eyeshades, headphones, classical music, family involvement at termination. Preparatory psychotherapy ~6–12 h; integration psychotherapy beginning day after session. Outcome: Pahnke-Richards 7-domain observer rating (depression, isolation, fear of death, pain, etc. −6 to +6) by therapists, nurses, physicians, family; narcotic scale for analgesic use. Repeated sessions permitted if peak experience not achieved or symptoms recurred. No control arm; no registration (pre-registration era). Multiple publications report overlapping cohorts: Pahnke WN (1972, book chapter); Grof S et al. (Int Pharmacopsychiatry 1973, PMID 4140164); Kurland AA (J Psychoactive Drugs 1985, PMID 2418186).