The Nature of the LSD Experience

Terrill, James M.

doi:10.1097/00005053-196211000-00006

Cited by 25 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…Maslow made a conscious division between mystical or peak experiences (Maslow, 1970: 75), with the latter being similar in many respects, but without some essential features of mystical experiences. Equivalent peak experiences under the influence of LSD were also called ‘intuitive-intellectual effects’ and described as a combination of emotional and intellectual functions (Terrill, 1962). The prominent American scholar of religious experience, William James, describes the core features of these kind of peak experiences:The central [characteristic] is the loss of all worry, the sense that all is ultimately well with one, the peace, the harmony, the willingness to be … The second feature is the sense of perceiving truths not known before … insight into depths of truth unplumbed by the discursive intellect.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Possible Mechanisms Of Action At a Psychological Levelmentioning

confidence: 99%

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LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a life-threatening disease: A qualitative study of acute and sustained subjective effects

2014

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Possible Mechanisms Of Action At a Psychological Levelmentioning

confidence: 99%

LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a life-threatening disease: A qualitative study of acute and sustained subjective effects

2014

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“…Some scientists pointed to the cognitively retarding effects of the drugs, while others insisted these were actually cognitive enhancers. Moreover, while some scientists reported that those who take the drug never wish to repeat the harrowing experience, others contended that their subjects were enthusiastic about repeating (Abramson, 1960;Deshon et al, 1952;Hoch, 1957;Janiger, 1959;Terrill et al, 1962). It was as though researchers were talking about entirely different drugs.…”

Section: The Microclimates Of Mid-20th-century Psychedelic Drug Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The existence and dynamics of subcultures vis-á-vis their engulfing cultures are widely explored in the disciplines of sociology, translation studies, and cultural studies (Jenks, 2004; Parsons, 2013; Ulusoy & Fırat, 2018). One instance of immediate theoretical relevance is Even-Zohar’s polysystem theory which argues that “an aggregate of phenomena operating for a certain community can be conceived as a system constituting part of a larger polysystem, which, in turn, is just a component within the larger polysystem of the ‘total culture’ of the said community” (Even-Zohar, 2005, p. 9).…”

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confidence: 99%

Modalities of the psychedelic experience: Microclimates of set and setting in hallucinogen research and culture

Hartogsohn

2022

Transcult Psychiatry

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Mid-20th-century American research on psychedelics evinced a stunning diversity of interpretations of hallucinogenic effects. While some researchers viewed psychedelics as invaluable tools for psychotherapy, others persisted in treating them as psychosis-inducing agents. As some groups considered psychedelics as catalysts for artistic creativity, others investigated their potential use as psychochemical weapons in the battlefield, or conversely as tools for spiritual ecstasy and revelation. This bewildering array of perceptions regarding the nature of hallucinogenic effects led to stark contrasts in the contexts (set and setting) of psychedelic research and experimentation, leading to wildly divergent outcomes and reports on the effects of the drugs, and strident disagreements between the actors in the field. Examining this remarkable historical moment of epistemological unclarity regarding psychedelics and their effects, this article describes how distinct scientific and cultural trends and moments of mid-20th-century America contributed to the creation of diverse microclimates of set and setting that reproduced investigator beliefs and attitudes and brought about a beguiling Pygmalion effect that left researchers befuddled and perplexed. I propose the concept of psychedelic modality to describe how distinct sociocultural microclimates lead to thematic aggregates in which distinct types of expectations, intentions as well as physical, social, and cultural environments all tend to cluster, producing characteristic outcomes and results. By exploring the historical context and consequences of the emergence of seven psychedelic modalities (psychotomimetic, military, psychotherapeutic, spiritual, artistic-creative, tech-innovative, and political) in mid-20th-century America, this article outlines the varieties of psychedelic experiences in their relationship with culture at large, and subcultures in particular.

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“…They find music extremely distracting and it prevents them from fully experiencing other components of the reaction. Terrill 377 concluded: "Any attempt to impose a structured test or interview radically altered the experience. "…”

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confidence: 99%

D‐Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): A review of its present status

Hoffer

1965

Clin Pharma and Therapeutics

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This is a review of an important but controversial subject, written by one of the important figures involved in the controversy. It was not possible to get a review in depth by someone who was not also involved in the controversy. With this in mind, this review was accepted for publication because it was written by an authority actively engaged in the problem and because it was thought important to bring details of the subject to the attention of a large readership. Correspondence is invited.

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The Nature of the LSD Experience

Cited by 25 publications

References 0 publications

LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a life-threatening disease: A qualitative study of acute and sustained subjective effects

LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a life-threatening disease: A qualitative study of acute and sustained subjective effects

Modalities of the psychedelic experience: Microclimates of set and setting in hallucinogen research and culture

D‐Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): A review of its present status

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