Erowid References Database
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Siegel RK, Brewster JM, Johnson CA, Jarvik ME.
“The Effects of Hallucinogens On Blind Monkeys”.
Intern.Pharmacopsychiat.. 1976;11(3):150-56.
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Abstract
The effect of hallucinogens on blind monkeys was studied. Method 2 Blind monkeys (7 yr old) were studied whose behavior was relatively passive compared with sighted monkeys. An observational profile was used that had previously been shown to distinguish the effects of hallucinogens from those of other drug types. Each animal was adapted to an observation cage situated in a sound and light attenuated chamber and monitored via infra red T.V. Scores were kept by observers of 18 types of behavioral category. After several weeks of 1 hr/day adaptation sessions, the drug treatment program was begun. The following drugs were given i.m.: saline (2 separate sessions); chlorpromazine (CPZ), 0.5 and 1 mg/kg; bromo-lysergic acid diethylamide (SOL), 100 mcg/kg; LSD, 50 and 100 mcg/kg, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 mg/kg. One monkey died after receiving 2 mg/kg d-Amphetamine sulfate so this drug was withdrawn from the program. Behavior during 60 min post drug injection was noted by 2 independent objective observers. All drugs were given in a random order. Results DMT (2 mg/kg) could be distinguished from saline and CPZ (1 mg/kg) by the increased frequency of bump, stereotype, tracking, locomotion and exploration. Similar results had previously been obtained in sighted monkeys. However unlike the sighted monkeys, the blind ones exhibited increased vocalizations during hallucinogen sessions. 50 mcg/kg LSD caused one monkey to rub frantically at his eye sockets whilst shaking his head to and fro, and then freeze in a crouched posture similar to that observed in cannabis treated monkeys. The hallucinogens also produced dramatic increases in exploratory behaviours usually seen only in response to real visual or auditory stimuli.
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