Narcosynthesis was used in combination with complete psychoanalysis and with psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy for the purpose of shortening the treatment. It proved helpful in cases with little affective response as in certain compulsive and schizoid patients and in neurotic characters described as 'detached'. The drug releases strong affects which facilitate the recollection of repressed memories and fantasies, and expose the corresponding defenses of the ego which then must be worked through intensively.