In 1943, while World War II raged on, in the neutral country of Switzerland, a chemist by the name of Albert Hofmann was working at the Sandos Pharmaceutical Companny’s Bazo Laboratory. At this time Hofmann was looking for a cure for migraine headaches. What he discovered though, would change his life and the world as he knew it. Lysergic acid dielthylamide, commonly known as LSD, is one of the most potent psychedelic drugs known to man. Hofmann synthesized LSD from from ergotamine, a chemical from the fungus, ergot, which is most commonly found growing on rye. (find citation)
In the early days, doctors would use LSD to try and better understand the schizophrenic mind. By stepping into their shoes for several hours, doctors hoped to better …show more content…
This information was of the utmost importance as “bad trips” were often the result of repressed emotions and childhood trauma. At the first session, the patient was instructed of "the importance of releasing to the experience, knowing that they had help and could ask questions”. The patient was then administered LSD then laid down on a couch, given head phones to listen to music, and we encouraged to take “an inward journey”. A small cloth was also placed over their eyes. The patient would then spend 2-4 hours laying on the couch, going deep within themselves on an exploratory journey. Meanwhile doctors took notes and had a tape recorder to record anything and everything that was said. After roughly 4 hours the patient would be ready to sit up, come out, and discuss what he had experienced. The patient was then shown pictures of his family so he could look at them and spend time with them; doctors regarded this as the most important part the session, especially for people who were there for therapeutic reasons. Patients were also given the opportunity to look into a mirror. Though some patients were frightened by this, they were encouraged to look and accept what they saw. The longer they looked they deeper they saw into who they were, even being able to see their inner self. This was a very powerful way for the patient to see who he truly was. Doctors always arranged for a sitter to take the patient home and sit with them until they went to sleep, to help the patients not feel as though they were being dropped back into
In the early days, doctors would use LSD to try and better understand the schizophrenic mind. By stepping into their shoes for several hours, doctors hoped to better …show more content…
This information was of the utmost importance as “bad trips” were often the result of repressed emotions and childhood trauma. At the first session, the patient was instructed of "the importance of releasing to the experience, knowing that they had help and could ask questions”. The patient was then administered LSD then laid down on a couch, given head phones to listen to music, and we encouraged to take “an inward journey”. A small cloth was also placed over their eyes. The patient would then spend 2-4 hours laying on the couch, going deep within themselves on an exploratory journey. Meanwhile doctors took notes and had a tape recorder to record anything and everything that was said. After roughly 4 hours the patient would be ready to sit up, come out, and discuss what he had experienced. The patient was then shown pictures of his family so he could look at them and spend time with them; doctors regarded this as the most important part the session, especially for people who were there for therapeutic reasons. Patients were also given the opportunity to look into a mirror. Though some patients were frightened by this, they were encouraged to look and accept what they saw. The longer they looked they deeper they saw into who they were, even being able to see their inner self. This was a very powerful way for the patient to see who he truly was. Doctors always arranged for a sitter to take the patient home and sit with them until they went to sleep, to help the patients not feel as though they were being dropped back into