Health - Family History of Asperger's Syndrome: Safe to take LSD?

[waffles]

SWIM is planning his first acid trip very soon, and he is wondering if his brothers aspergers syndrome could in anyway manifest in SWIM due to the trip.

For info on aspergers syndrome look at it on wikipedia, as I can't post the link.

[Jatelka]

As I understand it, Asperger's is an autism spectrum disorder.

LSD was investigated as a "treatment" for autism in the sixties. See here...

http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/loc...id=117&id=3425

for a fascinating review article.

For those who can't be bothered to read the article I will flag up some points:

The vast majority of studies done had serious methodological flaws

Early studies showed LSD was generally well tolerated, with children reported to be making steady progress with improved play behaviours and improved interaction.

There was apparently increased social responsiveness, and improvement in language comprehension (bear in mind these studies were done with children on the more severe end of the spectrum)

However, when larger, more controlled and rigorous studies were done LSD seemed less promising: Children became preoccupied with specific objects, and exhibited reduced motor activity.

Obviously no scientific research has been done since the mid seventies, but there is a resurgence in interest in research into LSD generally. Maybe Autism Spectrum is next? (although I'm not aware of anything brewing and ethical approval would be an absolute nightmare!)

Of course, none of this actually answers your monkey's question.

As I understand it, Asperger's is not a mental illness, but a disorder of social interaction and interpreting social cues. Psychotic symptoms do not occur (a family history of psychosis is a strong contraindication to the use of any psychedelic), and if there was concurrent depression or anxiety then LSD would certainly also not be recommended

The Flamingo can't tell your monkey whether this would be safe, and would certainly not recommend powerful psychedelics to people who have doubts/concerns. However, presumably the monkey does NOT have Asperger's (and has presumably been screened?)

[Delta-9]

Swim was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome when he was 4... Asperger's doesn't manifest suddenly, if you had it you would know. It isn't something that you can obtain through a traumatic experience like a mental illness. It's a lifelong autistic specrum disorder.

Swim has taken LSD seven times and has never had any problems, he actually believed it to be highly benificial- seeing the world in a much different light was a definently step foward. That being said Swim isn't recommending feeding Autistic people and Aspie's acid because someone said it would help. Everyone is different and will be differently effected by psychadelics. Swim recently tripped with another friend with Asperger's, he loved it and fared better than Swim's other friend whose trip shifted gears on him after he ate 3 more tabs.

Swim couldn't describe what it's like having asperger's syndrome, but Swim is adamant that you can't just get it in 12 hours and if you already had it to begin with you would know it.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Interesting stuff about Asperger's and acid, good first post, welcome to DF

[Sven99]

My imaginary friend's father and brother has aspergers, and he is currently seeking a diagnosis himself as he believes he has it to a milder level. This imaginary friend has found psychedelics especially useful in relation to understanding his aspergers traits, as they help him to understand other people. He thinks that his psychedelic use has definitely helped him relate to others better - and the benefits last long after the experience has worn off.

My imaginary friend has tried afew different psychedelics, and finds the one that plugs best into his apsergers traits is MDMA, but LSD has been useful too.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Interesting stuff about Asperger's and drugs