LETTER TO CHARLES F. GESCHICKTER FROM (DELETED) RE PROPOSED STUDY OF METABOLISM OF LSD (W/ATTACHMENTS)

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00693579
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: January 23, 2025
• Document Release Date: February 12, 2002
• Publication Date: September 30, 1953

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SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE
SOURCES AND METHODS INVOLVED
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DATE:JAN 2002
Downgraded to.:
-by authority of:
date: June 1977
E2 IMPLET; CL B
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MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Project NEULTRA, Subproject 17
DRAFP111
22 cTo ober 1953.
- 1. The scope of this research program is intended to cover
work to be done with LSD and related compounds b
IMEMmt illniMinjifor the period ending 1 October 1954.
The project will be handled hrough the Geschickter Foundation for
cut-out and cover purposes. The proposal from MIM to the
Geschickter Foundation is attached to this memorandum.
2. The general:object of this project is aimed at elucidation
of the site and mechanism of action of LSD by the use of isotopically
tagged -molecules. At-least three-major advantages :will accrue- from
such knowledge. First, such data should greatly facilitate: the .
development Of -a suitable antidote for LSD; in additioni'they'should
make it possible to design new compounds having.like:.but even more
bizarre4ctivities; and finally, fundamental 'knowledge of the. psytho
therapeuticTaction of drugs will be made available for future development.
3.IIIIIIIIIIIIBhas available to him atillipillik a highly
competentgroup of scientists of internationa - pu atien-encompassing
the fields of physical and organic chemistry in addition to those
of medicine and psychology. He plans to use these people as
consultants in the work.
4. The.fundo for this project include $7,000.00 for the synthetic
work on tagged LSD, $18,500.00 for the metabolic.studies on such
compounds,' $2,550.00 for the 10% University overhead charge, and
$1,122.00 for a 4% service charge by the Geschickter Foundation.
Therefore 'the total cost of this investigation will not exceed
$29,172.06 for the period ending 31 October 1954.*
5. This project will be Completely unclassified after it leaves
the Geschickter Foundation.
Powngraded to: um
by authority of:
date.: June 1977
E2 IMPLET; CL BY
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DATE: JAN 2002
SECURI
INFORMATION
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SECURIT INFORMATION
OCT 2 8 NY
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DATE:1AR 2002
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� Outline of Proposed Study of the Metabolism of d-Lysergia USA
Diethylastido
ittudifie et, the otetetOlierit of d-lysergie eoUdiethyl:amid
are complidated, by the feet that the effective tteses are in oIIgsegiro*-
quant:,i.tleaf Tagging the melseule with radioactiVe or with stable leptopse
therefore Maumee en ismtraerilnary importance 41$$$ $147b th$04 1400146
1$ there ay XikoliNoo& of Obtaining information In-a VelittiVeWelolort
tieTb.e over-04 piati,:wl33. be to incorporate into the statecrolle Suit�
Ole:atoms to sem se toga and *4 administer it to resverlsvAttni eastals
in whose tissues the tagged atoes can be identified. after' iearlee* time
periods* Ay confeiSeg !Mara nnthod.s of tat:gine* dednetient offin he
made sal to the fate of .the intact molecule or certain:fraistentivor itt
. .
This approach requires the ceerdinated work of a teese:4144reeeettre ay:porta
frozelv.sinsiberVi.4444101relfere,iforininitier- enee0:10`40104Aitairairti
of -trained: ind..11440.44 Terresenting pharmacolOgyir blochesetetVrit Nratitstie
organic elutastrirs 0A4 hi44414st The iudivtdnae viU be As** in the
seatione -below in, *SA 'activities of the firat yteSek ot the Xeerive
are desaribed LahresA terse,
/autbuts j, $D , Felated comsenedot lirne ehinsteet nature
of the compound makes it 'a difficult one to work with; reewledge of the
metaboliem of Up *ay be gained either by studies of this ,meleealtil suitably
tagged or by studies of lyeergio acid. or various. derivatlYse 'Web
isotopes have been introduced at proven locations* gine* the straeture
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SF �
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lyeergic acid has net y*t been completely eirtabluaiiit lifoik will be -
carried forsta4'd ,stimulteneottely: on the pepstion i tagged :molecules
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doVeral tat:tepee shov premiss e POSeible tea. for Una in .the
LSD moloonlei R.oidiaearbene..444rbion: 114 and tritinal thy4Lregen.3) � are of
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has many *d.v-antagee. 4.**.2.* ;40 � a ring: element o :tr.tig..�it -into the. .
moledulew2L1 pe :8fl5Oeteptiorly..dificalt feat.
The synthetic. iliittliatins'ehamical program, is under the.greetion. Of
.locati#er. i*-.Phemietry., ,Ro Will bo antinted by]
ittpriittlint.1.4444-iiI0yratr-44tit4grt
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1.TalversitY of pentreel:-..entd. by *graduate ctudant .t.0 be -leppeinted, �
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budget -go tha....Synthetic prcOna to
divided. as 11410,11 fiatnAr tor
student* $1500; expels:Sae, 41000,
$45001 atipa or gradnate
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retained. in many ether :argent and; tlatsix�5 of the body vtU easured,:
The pattern ef **oration is important. Xnformation as to what chemical
� alterations. are Induced- by the metabolic activity of eelie.in the central
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SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE
SOURCES AND METHODS INVOLVED
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DATE:JAN 2002
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Iniiversity overlies&
WARNING NOTICE
APPROVED FOR RELEASISITIVE INTELLIGENCE
DATE: IAN 201eUkCES AND METHODS INVOLVED
7inanoia1 Stateemest for the SP Projeot (00sohtok4r Grant)as of Kart& 20 1954.
8a1a4e$
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APPROVED FOR FOR RELEASE
DATE:JAN 2002