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The world's first paper on poly-drug use
Some Comments Concerning Dosage Levels Of Psychedelic Compounds For Psychotherapeutic Experiences
by Gary Fisher, Ph.D., Spring 1963

At the outset it should be made clear that this writer does not consider dosage to be the crucial factor in the experience the subject will have. Factors such as the individual's fear of self-exposure; his need to maintain a favorable impression of himself at all times; his willingness to learn; his ability to "go with" changing states of consciousness; the rigidity of belief patterns; the amount of insecurity about his personal worth; his preparation and intent as he goes into the session; his trust in individuals in general and particularly his confidence in the people with him; the wisdom of those who share the experience with him; and the persistence with which he defines himself -- all these factors, and many more, are the crucial ones in determining the kind of experience an individual will have with the psychedelic compounds. . . . In spite of such a host of conditions, however, we have found that dosage does help or hinder the operation of these factors. Another word of caution: a particular dosage does not guarantee a particular reaction. The variability of response to the drugs is enormous, largely because what is most important for a particular person to learn at a particular time will vary tremendously, and thus the experience will differ accordingly. . . . We have found it wise for the individual to eat very lightly the day before his session and to have an especially light dinner the evening before the session day. If he can spend this day quietly, in peaceful surroundings with his guide (guru, therapist) and session mates, this is excellent. The subject should not eat the morning of the session, and he should also abstain from juices and coffee. . . . If the body can become relaxed, loose, pliable and comfortable, then any somatic effects that emerge from the psychedelics will be experienced in a comfortable soma which will lead to an acceptance of these effects, rather than a resistance to them which would occur in a tense organism. Resistance results in the experiencing of pain, either somatically or psychically. When the organism is in a fluid state, impinging or emerging somatic changes take place and are experienced in this pleasant somatic setting. One very effective technique is to massage the individual early in the session. With quiet, relaxing music, soft lighting and comfortable, secure session mates, a very slow, deliberate body and head massage brings the individual into a relaxed, protective and nurturing environment, in which alarm and panic are hard to manufacture. . . . We have experimented with boosting with various drugs and with various dosages and time intervals. To date, our recommendation is that, given an initial adequate dosage, boosting is to be avoided. The primary reason for this attitude is as follows: the individual will learn first when he needs to learn first, and boosting is often the result of a prejudiced set of the guide as to what the subject should be learning or experiencing. Secondly, boosting often indicates to the subject that it is the drug, after all, that is going to do the work (an attitude which we believe is to be avoided at all costs) and that the guide has lost faith in the individual’s ability to work out his own resolutions to his conflicts and problems. . . . If the guide decides to boost, however, then we recommend that he use at least as much as the initial dose of LSD and that the boosting be done within the initial three hours. That is, if the individual has been given 350 ?g LSD, then he should be boosted with an additional 350 ?g, . . . In our experience it is expedient to give a booster if the individual becomes completely entangled in an area in which he is in a circular bind wherein he is incapable of perspective and of conceiving any alternative solutions to his conflict. This usually involves some decision-making in which the individual sees that all old attitudes and patterns of behavior leave him with unsatisfactory solutions. In these cases the individual simply bounces from one old reaction pattern to another, without benefit. The solution is then outside the person’s limit of entertained possibilities. In these cases, additional drug may be helpful to get him out of his bind, so that heretofore unimagined answers are forthcoming. Some experimenters who have had experience using dimethyltryptamine in these instances where additional drug is indicated, state that the use of this drug in quantities of 50 mg to 60 mg i.m. is very effective. . . . It is this author’s opinion that it is not desirable to begin an individual’s psychedelic experiences with psilocybin. The reason for this is that psilocybin does not have as great a potential as LSD for breaking through the resistances to expanded states of consciousness. It is best to use the most potent material available to increase the probability that an individual will be able to overcome his resistance and attain a state of cosmic (expanded) awareness. Psilocybin, although a powerful psychedelic, does not have the breadth of power of LSD. The experience of getting involved and encumbered with one’s old, inadequate, value system or uncreative basic assumptions about life is to be avoided, and the most powerful agent to break these attitudinal sets is to be used when available. . . . Dosage Levels of Psychedelic Compounds . . . Table 1 gives dosage levels (low, standard and high) and lethal dose for the drugs, LSD, psilocybin and mescaline. [NOTE: Click the link above for the full article, including this table.] . . . Use of small amounts of drugs for an initial experience: One approach to be used with very anxious and frightened subjects will now be discussed. This approach can be used with any individual, of course, but with the majority of individuals it is not necessary and not even desirable. The main disadvantage of this approach is that it can build up resistance and make the desired breakthrough into cosmic consciousness more difficult. . . . Special attention is paid to the decor of the room, with soft lighting and pastel shades predominating. A simply appointed room with selected objects is best. These objects are selected according to their artistic and aesthetic value. Objects with various combinations and values of color, shape and texture should be selected. Objects which have been found to be most useful are: a single flower (a red rose, a pansy, a sunflower, a violet), fresh fruit (one orange, one banana, one nectarine, a small bunch of grapes), whole grain bread and cheese. Music, of course, is most useful, and attention should be paid to the subject’s favorite selections and composers. The music of Wagner, Sibelius, Saint-Saens, Richard Strauss, Liszt, Chopin, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Mahler and Grieg is suggested. Other forms of music are also very helpful for mood change, such as Indian music, progressive jazz, Gregorian chants, Negro spirituals and the Blues. Simple figurines are useful -- some made from wood and others from stone. Delicate perfumes and incense can be employed, and precious jewels are excellent. A variety of textures should be made available to the subject. . . . The purpose of the whole experience is for the person to learn to experience himself and the things about him with fulfillment and joy. Having a good time and experiencing beauty is therapeutic. This approach is to help the individual to release his tensions, to experience his body in a delightful way, to enjoy music, to see vivid colors, to absorb works of art, to eat fruit and bread, to look at trees, flowers -- to be in awe of beauty. This is a good introduction to psychedelics. It is a good introduction to one’s guide in a sharing experience. In this setting the guide must be an active participant, a constant companion, and a directing initiator into pleasant and beautiful experiences.

[NOTE: Podcast 015 from the Psychedelic Salon is of a conversation with Gary Fisher, the author of this article.]

posted by LoZo 2:53 PM