New Research Indicates LSD Might Alleviate Anxiety
Recent studies indicate that LSD, or lyserformic acid diethylamide, could help reduce anxiety levels. This is the first research led by Dr. Daniel Carlin, the chief medical officer at MindMed, a biopharmaceutical firm based in New York. The study focused on the drug formulation MM120, used as a singular treatment for individuals with moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorders.
This research was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
An Overview of the Study
Involving nearly 200 adults aged between 18 and 74, participants either received a single oral dose of LSD over three months or were given a placebo. They underwent individual dosing sessions in private rooms with two trained monitors, and were observed for at least 12 hours post-administration. Notably, no psychotherapy accompanied the dosing.
Researchers tracked changes in anxiety scores at various intervals—weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12—with week 4 marking the study’s primary assessment point.
Interestingly, four weeks into the study, those taking the highest dose demonstrated significantly lower anxiety levels compared to the others. Throughout the 12-week period, about 65% of patients who received 100 milligrams saw improvements, with nearly 50% experiencing remission from their anxiety symptoms.
They also explored how LSD impacted depression, discovering that higher doses correlated with notable improvements. Carlin noted that the effects of LSD can be quite immediate, though side effects such as hallucinations, nausea, and headaches may occur.
Trial Results and Future Steps
The study showed a clear dose-dependency, establishing that 100 milligrams was the most effective amount. Higher doses of 200 milligrams also surpassed the placebo, while lower doses like 25 and 50 milligrams didn’t exhibit much difference.
One of the challenges highlighted by Carlin was “functional binding,” where participants could guess whether they received the active drug or the placebo, potentially skewing results.
Looking forward, drugmakers are planning two large clinical trials to monitor patients over extended periods. Should the results continue to be positive, MindMed intends to seek FDA approval for the drug.
Legal Status and Considerations
LSD is currently classified as a Schedule I substance, indicating that it’s viewed as having a high potential for abuse and lacking accepted medical use. This classification restricts its legal prescription, limiting use to approved studies only.
The FDA has identified LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA as “potential groundbreaking therapies,” which may pave the way for broader research and development.
Siegel emphasized the importance of careful monitoring and thorough research to assess both efficacy and side effects. Although the study reflects favorable results for the participants involved, he cautioned that LSD can cause hallucinations alongside other potential side effects, like paranoia and mood swings.
Industry experts noted that, historically, the recreational use of psychedelics in the 1960s delayed serious clinical studies, despite their promising potential. There seems to be a renewed interest in exploring psychedelic therapy for mental health, with influencers like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Doug Collins advocating for further investigation into the matter. The urgency is on ensuring safe and effective treatments in clinical settings.
