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This 1955 film stars Dr. Howard Fabing, president of the American Academy of Neurology. He was one of the first people to study the effects on the mind of halucinogenic drugs such as LSD. LSD or lysergic acid diethylamide, was synthesized by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann in 1938 but its psychoactive effects weren't discovered until 1943. In the 1950s researchers conducte studies into the potential uses of LSD. The college student shown in this clip got 100 micrograms. This dose is considered moderate for most individuals and is likely to produce a fairly strong psychedelic experience. Research on LSD was widespread in the United States during the 1950s due to its novel psychoactive effects and potential therapeutic uses. MK-Ultra (1953 - 1973): This CIA program aimed to investigate mind-control methods and chemical interrogation. It involved numerous sub-projects, some of which included administering LSD to subjects without their consent. LSD research under MK-Ultra took place at several universities and medical facilities. Boston Psychopathic Hospital Studies: During the early 1950s, researchers at this hospital conducted early experiments on the effects of LSD, including its potential therapeutic effects. Spring Grove Experiment (1955 - 1975): This series of studies conducted at Spring Grove State Hospital in Maryland investigated the therapeutic effects of LSD on individuals suffering from alcoholism and terminal cancer. Menlo Park Veterans Hospital Studies: During the 1950s and 1960s, researchers at this hospital in California conducted studies exploring the potential of LSD and other psychedelics for treating alcoholism and other conditions. Studies by Humphry Osmond and Abram Hoffer: In the 1950s, psychiatrists Humphry Osmond and Abram Hoffer conducted research on LSD's use in treating alcoholism. Although they worked primarily in Canada, their work significantly influenced LSD research in the United States. Research by Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert: In the late 1950s and early 1960s, these Harvard University psychologists started researching LSD and psilocybin's effects, initially in therapeutic contexts and later examining their potential for personal and spiritual growth. From these and other studies, researchers learned that LSD could produce dramatic changes in consciousness, including alterations in perception, mood, and cognitive processes. They also learned that the effects of LSD were highly variable and could be influenced by factors such as set (the mindset of the user) and setting (the environment in which the drug is used). However, they also discovered that LSD could have serious adverse effects, including the risk of “bad trips,“ psychological dependency, and persisting perception disorder (also known as “flashbacks“). Dr Fabing wrote about his study. “The experiments are designed to assess the value of MER-17 in preventing and alleviating LSD-25 psychoses. The subject, a healthy 22-year-old male volunteer, was given 100 gamma of LSD-25. The investigator interviewed the subject periodically over the next nine hours. The subject reported physical restlessness and mental apprehension, depression, confusion, sadness, loss of time perception, and nervousness. Nine hours after taking the drug, as its effects were wearing off, the subject reported feeling confused while under its influence. A day later, the subject reported that his feelings while under the influence of the drug were dissociated; he felt plagued, pounded.” Mer-17 given to the student to counteract the LSD in this video is Aminorex (Meratran), a stimulant drug that was initially developed in the 1950s as an antidepressant. Its structure is similar to amphetamines and it's known to have stimulant effects. It was later withdrawn from the market due to concerns about pulmonary hypertension and other severe side effects. Today there is no established evidence suggesting that Meratran (Aminorex) could be used as an antidote to LSD.
