This paper concerns the much discussed and controversial issue of whether the use of drugs in conjunction with analytic psychotherapy assists or actually hinders the psychotherapeutic process. The authors employed a carefully designed systematic assessment of twelve ego functions. At the same time diazepam (Valium) or placebo was administered in a double blind situation. Statistically significant differences favoring Valium were found in all but two of the scales: object relations and adaptive regression in the service of the ego. The authors feel they were able to differentiate the effects of the drug over and above the factors of time and psychotherapy. They are involved in seeking the optimal amount of 'anesthesia' to allow freedom from anxiety or its dread without interfering with ego functions (including signal anxiety) to the extent that motivation and change from the psychotherapy are vitiated.