Abstract
The former Czechoslovakia (CSSR) was one of the main centers of psychedelic research in 60's. One of the reasons was probably the fact that CSSR was next to the Switzerland the only country which was producing its own synthetically pure lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD); its production with research and therapeutic use lasted until 1974.
Period of the legal LSD research was "a golden era" of psychedelic research and by exploring what was already done, much can be learnt. Recently, research in Prague was restored.
Hence for the first time all human studies with psychedelics on patients published in the former Czechoslovakia between 1952 and 1974 were systematically analyzed. Studies with patients where therapeutic or psychological effect was studied were systematically reviewed with emphasis on implications for the current and future psychedelic research.
Information provided were gain also from the analysis of the interviews with the mental health professionals who underwent LSD sessions in 60's. According to the available studies in the 60s psychedelics proved effective for disorders on the neurotic spectrum, depression, anxiety, phobias, neurasthenia, obsessive-compulsive personality, and also psychosis or personality disorders.
Even more interesting than various therapeutic indications are insights in terms of the treatment protocol, like group therapy or "weekend psycholytic clinics", and many other types of intervention. More importantly, this talk will bring one more time to the light topic of ethical issues and responsibility of psychedelic researchers.
On the basis of historical and current evidence and experience real risks of psychedelics will be evaluated. Also question of the role of research in the relationship between society and psychoactive substances will be discussed.
Importance of studying the history will be proposed, as much was already done.