Torsten Passie - Lower-dose Psycholytic Therapy: History and Features of a Neglected Approach

Psycholytic therapy is introduced as a therapeutic approach historically distinct from current psychedelic models. Unlike high-dose applications, psycholytic therapy utilizes low-dose LSD in combination with serial psychotherapy sessions. This practice, historically prominent in European clinical centers and pioneered by researchers like Hanscarl Leuner and Ronald Sandison, prioritizes a reflective state over full ego dissolution. Treatment sessions involve constant supervision, tape recording, and the use of written protocols to facilitate integration. Therapeutic success is analyzed through the management of ego functions, emphasizing an altered ego state rather than complete ego loss. The approach aims to navigate traumatic past experiences by carefully managing dosage, allowing the patient to remain engaged in the therapeutic process without reaching a dissociative state.