Erowid References Database
Siegel RK.
“LSD-induced effects in elephants: Comparisons with musth behavior. ”.
Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society. 1984 Jan;22(1):53-56.
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Abstract
Musth is a condition observed in male Asiatic elephants (Elephans maximus) and is characterized by aggression and temporal gland secretions. A study by L. J. West et al (1962), which attempted to induce a musth syndrome in an elephant via treatment with LSD, resulted in the death of the S. In the present study, 2 elephants survived dosages of LSD (.003^.10 mg/kg) and exhibited changes in the frequency and/or duration of several behaviors as scored according to a quantitative observational system. LSD increased aggression and inappropriate behaviors such as ataxia, while feeding was eliminated during experimental sessions. Results are discussed in terms of musth and drug-induced perceptual^motor dysfunction. It is concluded that elephants can tolerate high doses of LSD but that the resultant behavior provides an unsatisfactory model for the natural aggression and behavioral disorders associated with musth or temporal gland secretions.
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