Lysergic acid amide (LSA), consumed mainly from Convolvulaceae plant seeds, produces euphoria, hallucinations, nausea, and anxiety. Severe adverse outcomes include psychosis, hypertension, and hospitalization. Some evidence suggests potential therapeutic application for cluster headaches, but variability in dosing and online misinformation heighten risks. The systematic review of 17 human studies concludes that LSA poses significant health risks, exacerbated by a lack of scientific studies, and calls for further research to clarify its pharmacological profile and establish safety guidelines.
Ketamine reduces depressive symptoms similarly in people with anxious depression (AxD) and those with non-anxious depression (NAxD). A meta-analysis of eight clinical trials with 536 participants found no significant difference in symptom improvement between the two groups at 13 days or 26–28 days after treatment, nor in overall depression response. The AxD group had more severe baseline depressive symptoms, consistent with earlier reports. The authors conclude that ketamine is a viable treatment for anxious depression, a condition that may respond poorly to traditional antidepressants. The analysis is limited by few studies, small samples, and moderate heterogeneity.