This study will find out whether psychotherapy combined with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is safe and is helpful in people who are anxious because they have a potentially fatal disease. The study will measure anxiety and quality of life before and after people have two sessions with either full or active placebo dose of LSD. They expect LSD-assisted psychotherapy to reduce anxiety and improve quality of life.
Topic Anxiety
Palliative Care
Country Switzerland
Visit trial
Trial Details
Trial Number
Sponsors & Collaborators
MAPSMAPS stands for Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, it's the front runner in making psychedelics a legal way to use (and improve) in therapy.
Papers
LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a life-threatening disease: a qualitative study of acute and sustained subjective effectsThis follow-up study (n=10) found long-term (12-month) positive outcomes from a single high-dose of LSD (200 μg) in combination with psychotherapy. The positive effects included reduced anxiety and a higher quality of life.
Safety and efficacy of lysergic acid diethylamide-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases
This double-blind, cross-over study (n=12) showed that LSD (200 μg, 2 sessions) in combination with psychotherapy was safe to use and trended towards a positive effect on end-of-life anxiety.
Measures Used
State-Trait Anxiety InventoryThe State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) is a commonly used measure of trait and state anxiety. The STAI measures two types of anxiety – state anxiety, anxiety about an event, and trait anxiety, anxiety level as a personal characteristic.
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) is a multiple item questionnaire used to provide an indication of depression, and as a guide to evaluating recovery. The scale consists of 17 items which each item being scoring on a 3 or 5 point scale. The higher the score, the more likely a person is depressed.
Visual Analogue Scale
The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is widely used to measure pain. A patient is asked to indicate their perceived pain intensity (most commonly) along a 100 mm horizontal line, and this rating is then measured from the left edge (=VAS score).