Pubdate: Fri, 21 Oct 2005
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2005 The StarPhoenix
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Kay Parley
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hallucinogens.htm (Hallucinogens)

REVIVAL OF LSD NOT ALL THAT SCARY

Following is the personal viewpoint of the writer, a Saskatoon resident.

The Psychedelic Pioneers, a documentary about experiments with LSD in 
Saskatchewan in the 1950s and '60s, was shown this week in Saskatoon. 
Interest in the drug may revive with its use in the treatment of people 
addicted to crack cocaine and to crystal meth, apparently with some success.

The news really doesn't frighten me, because I am well-acquainted with LSD.

I trained in psychiatric nursing at Weyburn when the first experiments were 
underway. Later, as Dr. Abram Hoffer's team leader at University Hospital 
in Saskatoon, I won a reputation as a good LSD sitter and guided quite a 
few treatments. I published the first article about the nurse's role in LSD 
(American Journal of Nursing, 1964), and yes, I took it once.

Because it distorted perception, LSD was believed to produce a "model" of 
schizophrenia. Many professionals took it, hoping to increase empathy for 
their patients.

The story, LSD research chronicled in documentary (SP, Oct. 6) stated the 
Saskatchewan group trained its psychiatric nurses with LSD "to make them 
more empathetic toward psychotic patients." That is misleading. It would be 
highly unethical to give a drug to students as part of training.

Few students took LSD and, when graduates took it, they took it 
voluntarily. The drug was not given to schizophrenic patients.

Alcoholics, and people with various character disorders found LSD 
beneficial. All subjects were screened and had to clarify what they hoped 
to achieve by taking LSD. The doctor administered the drug (100 to 400 
micrograms of clear liquid in water), and often talked to the patient until 
it took effect. The sitter spent the whole day with him.

Where possible, we allowed a patient a choice of nurse because someone 
under LSD would be sensitive, and could easily suffer a sense of rejection 
or become suspicious. He needed an understanding companion. He was never 
left alone for an instant.

The nurse was his anchor, reminding him he was in hospital and that he 
would be returning to the world of "reality." Everything was done to keep 
the atmosphere pleasant and comfortable. No one entered but the doctor. 
There were always flowers. Music selected by the patient would be played.

Often there was a period of four hours or more when the patient didn't 
speak, but the nurse couldn't allow her concentration to slip. Sitting a 
treatment was draining, and often we refused to sit another for three or 
four weeks, to give ourselves time to regroup. We were not "trained" to be 
LSD sitters. We had a handbook, based on Duncan Blewett's observations of a 
typical session.

It was believed that if you had been through an LSD experience, you made a 
better sitter. The role required empathy and commitment, as well as 
flexibility. It helped to be intuitive. Above all, it required an attention 
span at least eight hours long.

The effect of LSD was unpredictable.

The subject might experience "a good trip," with little anxiety and lots of 
insight. He might enjoy seeing colours brighter, all perception enhanced. A 
"bad trip" was hellish and accomplished little. Sometimes a subject would 
experience a second treatment at a later date, and have a completely 
different experience.

Considering the risks, why do I not fear the return of LSD? It seems to be 
the polar opposite of the dangerous street drugs. It actually enhances the 
moral sense, and can lead to growth of self-respect and, sometimes, to 
strengthening of character. It causes the subject to confront himself.

It is not associated with violence and crime.

Of course it is risky, but psychiatry used pure LSD in minute doses, and 
under extremely well-controlled circumstances.

Dr. Humphrey Osmond of Weyburn, another researcher, once wrote he regretted 
telling Timothy Leary about his hopes for the drug, because Leary promptly 
popularized it.

Thousands of young people began taking it. Sometimes in impure form, in 
questionable dosage, without proper supervision. They were not screened for 
symptoms which might have indicated danger of developing a psychosis. For 
more than a decade, we had a continent of "heads" wandering around in 
pretty abnormal states. There was an outcry against LSD.

When flashbacks" began to occur, symptoms returning weeks or months after 
an experience, questions rose as to whether LSD was as safe as we had 
believed. As these fears surfaced in the mid-1960s, Saskatchewan 
discontinued the drug.

Now it is back in use. Will it get out of hand again? Who knows?

I only know that I'd rather see a lot of LSD around than a lot of crystal 
meth. Remember how the hippies used to hand out flowers? They may have been 
stoned, but they talked of peace.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom