Single dose of LSD reduces anxiety
A single dose of LSD shows promise in reducing anxiety in a clinical trial.
Why it matters
- LSD may offer relief for people with generalized anxiety disorder who don't respond to common treatments.
- The study is the first modern trial to look at LSD specifically for generalized anxiety disorder.
- Findings suggest a potential new treatment avenue for anxiety.
By the numbers
- 198 adults participated in the study.
- Higher doses (100 and 200 micrograms) led to an average reduction of 21 and 19 points in anxiety scores.
- 46% of participants in the higher dose groups went into remission.
The big picture
- LSD may act by increasing serotonin levels and enhancing the brain's ability to rewire itself.
- The study provides some of the best evidence to date that LSD could be a useful treatment for anxiety.
- The FDA has designated MindMed's LSD formulation as a Breakthrough Therapy.
What they're saying
- Some users share personal anecdotes about the benefits of LSD for anxiety.
- Comments mention the duration of the study (three months) and the potential for longer-term benefits.
- There's interest in understanding the mechanism behind LSD's effects on anxiety.
Caveats
- The study duration was only three months, so long-term effects are unknown.
- The placebo effect and expectations based on the drug's effects could influence the results.
- Some participants experienced nausea and headaches after treatment.
What’s next
- Larger trials are underway to track benefits beyond three months.
- Results from these trials are expected in the next couple of years.