Ronald A. Sandison

Ronald A. Sandison (1916–2010) was a British psychiatrist known for his pioneering work in the field of psychedelic therapy. He was one of the first psychiatrists in the United Kingdom to use LSD in therapy, and he developed a unique approach to treatment known as "psycholytic therapy".

Early Life and Education

Sandison was born in 1916 in Scotland. He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, where he developed an interest in psychiatry. After completing his medical degree, he pursued further training in psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital in London.

Career

In 1952, Sandison became the director of the Powick Hospital in Worcestershire, where he began his groundbreaking work in psychedelic therapy. He was inspired by the work of Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, who had discovered the psychoactive properties of LSD.

Sandison began using LSD in therapy with his patients, believing that the drug could help them access and confront repressed memories and emotions. This approach, which he called "psycholytic therapy", was controversial but also yielded promising results.

In 1958, Sandison founded the Psychedelic Research Foundation to promote and fund research into the therapeutic use of psychedelics. However, his work with LSD was cut short in the mid-1960s when the drug was made illegal in the UK.

Despite this setback, Sandison continued to advocate for the therapeutic use of psychedelics throughout his career. He also served as a consultant psychiatrist at several hospitals in the UK and lectured widely on the subject of psychedelic therapy.

Legacy

Sandison's work has had a lasting impact on the field of psychiatry. His pioneering use of LSD in therapy paved the way for the current resurgence of interest in psychedelic therapy. His approach to treatment, psycholytic therapy, is still used today in modified forms.

See Also

• Psychedelic therapy
• History of LSD
• Albert Hofmann

External Links

• Guardian Obituary

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