ABRAMSON H A
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD-25): XIX. As an adjunct to brief psychotherapy, with special reference to ego enhancement.
J.Psychol. 41:199 (1956)
1. Previous data on the nature of the ego enhancement occuring during the LSD-25 reaction is amplified by making a direct comaprison with the ego depression simultaneously occuring. During the LSD-25 reaction advantage may be taken of the integrative function of the ego if the therapist recognizes the presence of the processes of ego reinforcement. 2. Although ego depression may occur during the LSD-25 reaction to produce a psychotic state, this state is associated primarily with doses greater than 50 micrograms by mouth. The nature of the ego depression is shown by a verbatim recording. The subject was essentially incapable of communicating effectively with the interviewer during the height of the LSD-25 response. 3. The nature of the integrative processes during ego enhancement with small doses of LSD-25 (20 to 50 micrograms) is illustrated by verbatim recordings. It is emphasized that during the LSD-25 reaction, the integrative functions of the ego often operate effectively to utilize preconscious and unconscious material during therapeutic interviews lasting as long as four hours and covering periods of observation lasting six hours. Whether or not the LSD-25 reaction develops into one where ego reinforcement or one where ego depression is emphasized depends to a great extent upon the relationship of the therapist to the patient. During the same therapeutic interview the therapist can manipulate the nature of the response. 4. It is beleived that LSD-25 may be utilized to more effectively mobilize psychodynamic vectors during the analysis of the transference. 5. In non-psychotic groups studied, important relationships developed amongst groups consisting of two to five members. These always led to some insight and better adaptive techniques both at work and in community activities on the part of the subjects who met repeatedly. This suggests the possible use of LSD-25 as an adjuvant to group therapy. 6. Preliminary data are reported on the effect of LSD-25 on the reassociation of dreams. It is stressed that verbatim recordings are a necessary condidton for the successful utilizatio of dream reassociation.
ANTHONY, DICK; ROBBINS, THOMAS; MCCARTHY, JIM
Legitimating Repression
Society; 1980, 17, 3(125), Mar-Apr, 39-42.
There is little consensus among psychiatrists & psychologists regarding the status of brainwashing as a scientific concept & the application of this notion to contemporary cults. Some writers deny the intrinsic validity or coherence of the concept; others argue that true brainwashing requires forcible physical constraint & possibly brutality. Some have argued that this idea is applicable to formally voluntary associations in which powerful peer pressures induce 'ego regression' that incapacitates the individual for rational reality-testing. Such individuals are 'psychologically kidnapped.' The brainwashing metaphor is best understood as a social weapon that effectively mobilizes opinion & legitimates intervention against unpopular social movements. Devotees are viewed as passive recipients of conditioning rather than motivated participants, percent can, therefore, be forcibly 'rescued' over their protest. Since free will is not a measurable concept, allegations of brainwashing cannot be falsified. Authorities & vigilantes who intervene against alleged brainwashing disavow any intention to suppress belief & express concern with a quality of the mind. Concern over brainwashing in cults represents the assimilation of deviant religion to the medical model. A special deviant category may be emerging for persons whose religious behavior, like the drinking or drug-taking behavior of other deviants, is viewed as being compulsive & out of their control. This development has implications for the crystallization of the therapeutic state, which regulates & oversees the consciousness of citizens.
BADHAM ER
The effect of light upon basidiocarp initiation in Psilocybe cubensis
Mycologia; Vol 72 (1980) p 136-142
Preparation of cultures - An agar medium (Brodie, 1975) containing relatively low levels of sugars (maltose, dextrose, sucrose), aparagine, peptone, yeast extract, in addition to salts was used Six ml of medium were poured and slanted in plastic test tubes (16x125mm) giving a surface area of 3 square cm Inoculation of these tubes was mde form stock cultures which were grown in the dark for one month in plastic petri plates (15x100mm) with taped lids One 3x3-mm cube was taken from these and placed in each slant tube The slant tube caps were not tightly closed These transfers were made under 'safe' light (15-watt incandescent light filtered by a red filter, Carolina Biological Supply red 650) The cultures were grown for 3 weeks in a well-ventilated but light-tight boxes Both cultures and and light sources were kept in a controlled-temperature room at 21 degrees C +/-2 and under relative humidity of 85% +/- 15% In most cases light treatments were given once per day for 5 days; the cultures were examined on day 6 Exposures were given at the same time each day If manipulations were necessary they were accomplished under the safe light described above
BLISS E L, CLARK L D, WEST C D
Studies of sleep deprivation - relationship to schizophrenia.
Arch.Neurol.& Psychiat. 81:348 (1959)
It has been postulated that sleep deprivation may play a critical role in the precipitation of some psychoses. Studies were therefore made in 7 normal subjects who were kept awake for 72 hours. Changes in psychological tests were insignificant but behavioral and subjective alterations were considerable. Feelings of depersonalization, illusions, hallucinations, etc. were common. Adrenocortical activity remained normal. Four normal subjects were kept awake for 48 hours and then given 0.5 mcg/kg LSD. All for developed hallucinations. The reaction was as severe or more severe than that made by the same subjects to 1 mcg/kg LSD given previously. Thus, sleep deprivation markedly enhanced the ego-disruptive effect of LSD. It is thought that sleep deprivation, when combined with isolation and incapacitating anxiety, may be a critical factor in the precipitation of some psychoses.
BRANDRUP, ERIK; VANGGAARD, THORKIL
LSD treatment in a severe case of compulsive neurosis.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica; 1977 Feb Vol 55(2) 127-141
Describes the course and outcome of the treatment with LSD of an incapacitating compulsive-neurotic condition in a 30-yr-old male. The treatment took place over 11/2 yrs since 1962, and the patient has been followed since then. It is reported that the patient is completely cured symptomatically, and that a favorable change in his general personality has taken place. The events during the LSD sessions revealed the basic elements in the development of his personality since early childhood, particularly the toilet-training period, which resulted in a typical compulsive character neurosis. In turn, this character neurosis became the matrix for the outbreak of his manifest neurotic compulsions which began 4 yrs before the onset of treatment. The material which emerged was in complete accordance with Freudian theory. No interpretations were given. While under the action of the drug the patient was left alone except for brief visits by the doctor or the nurse. He was free to call them if his anxiety became too strong for him to cope with alone. He also had the support of reporting his experiences to the doctor after the LSD effect had worn off and discussing them during interviews between the LSD days, still without interpretations being given to them. Practical details of procedure are reported. The necessary caution in employing LSD for treatment purposes, especially the selection of patients, is emphasized; theoretical implications of the psychological material and the course of the curative process are discussed.
CHRISTENSON, SUSAN J
STASH library bibliographic search: Methaqualone.
Journal of Psychedelic Drugs; 1972 Win Vol. 5(2) 205-211
!!!! [THIS ABSTRACT MAY NOT MATCH TITLE !!!!] Presents a brief history of cocaine from the time of the Incas in South America to the 1970s in the US. The cocaine black market and high dose use in the US are described and discussed. Methods of administration (snorting or injection), subjective effects, cocaine and other drug combinations, and side effects are outlined. 2 distinct pharmacological actions of cocaine are distinguished: local anesthesia and CNS stimulation. Treatment of cocaine toxicity is described.
de la Vega, Garcia.
The Incas: The Royal Commentaries of the Inca. Trans. Maria Jolas; ed. Alain Gheerhaut.
Rpt. New York: Avon Books, 1964. (1961)
EISWIRTH, NANCY A; SMITH, DAVID E; WESSON, DONALD R
Current perspectives on cocaine use in America.
Journal of Psychedelic Drugs; 1972 Win Vol. 5(2) 153-157
Presents a brief history of cocaine from the time of the Incas in South America to the 1970s in the US. The cocaine black market and high dose use in the US are described and discussed. Methods of administration (snorting or injection), subjective effects, cocaine and other drug combinations, and side effects are outlined. 2 distinct pharmacological actions of cocaine are distinguished: local anesthesia and CNS stimulation. Treatment of cocaine toxicity is described.
HOLSTEN, FRED
Flashbacks: A personal follow-up.
Archiv fur Psychiatrie und Nervenkrankheiten; 1976 Vol 222(4) 293-304
Studied 91 young drug users who had sought help at a psychiatric hospital to determine the frequency and degree of seriousness of flashbacks in these Ss and to determine whether these reactions occur only in users of cannabis and LSD or whether they are also experienced by users of other drugs. It was found that 53 of the Ss had experienced flashbacks. This was true for approximately 50 of 65 Ss who had used LSD, and also for users of organic solvents and cannabis. As many as 38% of the Ss were severely incapacitated by their flashbacks. On a personal follow-up 11/2-4 yrs after the 1st therapeutic contact, 35 Ss were still troubled by flashbacks. Generally, the reactions were less intense than at the time of the first contact. No relation between the flashbacks and protracted psychotic development could be established. The overall clinical and social course was worse for Ss with flashbacks than for the rest of the sample. Ss still bothered by flashbacks used drugs and alcohol as sedatives to a greater extent than the rest.
Lanning, Edward P.
Peru Before the Incas.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc. (1967)
POLLOCK SH
Magic Mushroom Cultivation (2)
Magic Mushroom Cultivation. Herbal Medicine Research Foundation. ISBN 0-930074-01-7
The mycelia can be grown in the dark but light is needed when it is time for the fungus to make mushrooms. As little as five minutes twice a day from an overhead incandescent light in a closet can be sufficient to initiate mushroom formation. But much better crops seem to come when fluorescent 'grow lights' are used for longer periods during the day. When mushrooms are growing, the lid of each jar should be very loose since much condensation occurs as the mushrooms breathe. Some growers remove the lids completely at this time or replace the domes with a double layer of paper towels. The towels can be secured in place with the lid bands and the jars may be set near a window for natural light. Paper towel tops should be sprayed with water at least once a day to help maintain a humid environment. As the rice-cake dries, fruition is promoted. But if the dome is left very loosely in place, fruiting continues much longer. Sometimes fruiting occurs for three months or more! Mushrooms will keep appearing after harvesting of previous crops. To harvest the magic mushrooms, a fancier can reach in through the mouth of the jar and pull them out. It is best to grasp each new mushroom near the bottom of the stem and give it a twist. If the mushroom cap is tugged, it might just break off from the stem. Alternatively, a long knife may be used to cut the mushrooms at the bottom of the stem. Still another method is to turn the jar facing down so that the cake will fall near the orifice. This makes it easier to grasp the mushrooms. Sometimes it is advantageous after a second or third harvest to flip the cake over in the jar before putting the lid back on. This maneuver often promotes a luxuriant fruiting from the newly exposed rice-cake surface. When the cakes have dried out too much for mushrooms to appear, they can be squirted with water from a spray bottle to induce another fruiting or better yet used as spawn for a mushroom garden on compost. If there is absolutely no sign of contamination, the cakes themselves may be fried or broken up and cooked in mushroom soup or other cuisine for a psychedelic experience. One cake is usually sufficient for two to four enthusiasts. The rice-cake technique is very efficient. A 14 ounce package of brown rice can be obtained often for less than fifty cents and is enough for seven quart jars. When the cakes have completely become covered by mycelia, small pieces can be cut out with a sterilized scalpel or probe and transferred to newly prepared rice-cakes in other jars. This will not interfere significantly with mushroom production and will insure a continuing supply of magic San Isidro mushrooms. San Isidro [Psilocybe cubensis] is the only species that has been observed so far to make mushrooms on rice-cakes. Rice-cake medium nevertheless can be used to grow mycelia or other Psilocybe species besides cubensis. Psilocybe cyanescens and subaeruginascens mycelia thrive on brown rice, whereas baeocystis, caerulescens, semilanceata, stuntzii, subaeruginosa, and zapotecorum mycelia spread more slowly on this medium. Brown rice also supports growth of Panaeolus mycelia. With further experimentation, especially with temperature regulation, modifications of the rice-cake technique may render it useful for obtaining fruit from various magic mushroom species.
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