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.

Abstract of Safety and efficacy of LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases

“A double-blind, randomized, active placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted to examine safety and efficacy of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)-assisted psychotherapy in 12 patients with anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases. Treatment included drug-free psychotherapy sessions supplemented by two LSD-assisted psychotherapy sessions 2 to 3 weeks apart. The participants received either 200 μg of LSD (n = 8) or 20 μg of LSD with an open-label crossover to 200 μg of LSD after the initial blinded treatment was unmasked (n = 4). At the 2-month follow-up, positive trends were found via the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in reductions in trait anxiety (p = 0.033) with an effect size of 1.1, and state anxiety was significantly reduced (p = 0.021) with an effect size of 1.2, with no acute or chronic adverse effects persisting beyond 1 day after treatment or treatment-related serious adverse events. STAI reductions were sustained for 12 months. These results indicate that when administered safely in a methodologically rigorous medically supervised psychotherapeutic setting, LSD can reduce anxiety, suggesting that larger controlled studies are warranted.”

Authors: Peter Gasser, Dominique Holstein, Yvonne Michel, Rick Doblin, Berra Yazar-Klosinski, Torsten Passie & Rudolf Brenneisen

Notes on Safety and efficacy of LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases

This paper is included in our ‘Top 10 Articles Introducing Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy‘

Although there hasn’t been many studies with LSD for end-of-life anxiety (and depression), there have been a few that are summarized in a meta-analysis by Vargas and colleagues (2020).

This paper is included in the meta-analytical review by Galvão-Coelho and colleagues (2021) that found psychedelics to improve mood (for those with mood disorders) both in the short and long-term (up to 60 days).

Summary of Safety and Efficacy of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide-Assisted Psychotherapy for Anxiety Associated With Life-threatening Diseases

LSD was first synthesized in 1938 by Albert Hofmann at Sandoz Laboratories in Basel and was used for psychiatric research until 1967.

LSD produces vivid psychosensory changes, including increased sensory perception, illusionary changes in perceived objects, synesthesia, and enhanced mental imagery. Affectivity is intensified, thoughts are accelerated, and ego identification is usually weakened.

LSD affects diverse neurotransmitter systems, but mainly the 5-HT2A receptors. No neuroimaging studies have been conducted with LSD, but studies with psilocybin and dimethyltryptamine have yielded inconclusive results.