Assessing the effects of Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) microdosing in people experiencing depression (LSDDEP2)

This randomised, double-dummy, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel groups trial (n=90) investigates the effects of LSD microdosing (2-20μg) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to an active placebo.

Administered sublingually, participants receive two doses of LSD or placebo weekly for eight weeks, with a starting dose of 8 mcg and a range of 2-20 mcg. Adherence is monitored through video recordings of each dose administration.

Primary outcome measures include the total score of the Montgomery-Asberg Depressive Rating Scale (MADRS) and secondary outcomes involve various assessments of anxiety, depression, stress, anhedonia, ruminative response, and quality of life.

Eligible participants, aged 21-65, must have a diagnosis of MDD according to DSM-5 criteria and a MADRS score between 18-35. Exclusion criteria include certain psychiatric disorders, substance dependence, suicidal risk, and other medical conditions.

The trial is conducted by the University of Auckland, New Zealand, with funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand and MindBio Therapeutics Ltd. Ethics approval was granted by Southern HDEC, New Zealand, on 14/12/2022. The trial aims to address the need for new antidepressant therapies, given the challenges with existing treatments and the emerging trend of self-medicating depression with psychedelic microdoses.

Topic Depression Anxiety Microdosing
Compound LSD Placebo
Country New Zealand
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Trial Details



Trial Number

Sponsors & Collaborators

University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is engaged in research on the therapeutic uses of psychedelic drugs, focusing on substances like LSD, ketamine, and MDMA to address mental health issues.

MindBio Therapeutics
MindBio Therapeutics is conducting clinical research exploring the effects of microdosing psychedelic medicines to treat a range of medical conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, panic disorder, chronic pain and opioid addiction.

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