Greater subjective effects of a low dose of LSD in participants with depressed mood.
Hanna Molla, Royce Lee, Ilaria Tare, Harriet de Wit
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology April 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01772-4 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA single low dose of LSD (26 µg) produces more pronounced positive mood effects and stronger altered states of consciousness in people with mild depressive symptoms than in those without. In a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial, 39 adults received either LSD or placebo. Those scoring 17 or higher on the Beck Depression Inventory reported greater increases in vigor, elation, and positive psychedelic effects, and showed a larger decline in depression scores 48 hours after the dose, compared with placebo. The drug caused only mild physiological and subjective effects overall.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Placebo-controlled Double-blind Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 39 |
| Population | Adults with mild depressed mood (scoring high or low on the Beck Depression-II inventory) |
| Intervention | LSD (26 µg) |
| Dose | 26 µg |
| Duration | Two 5-hour laboratory sessions separated by at least one week; 48-hour follow-up after each session |
| Topics | Microdosing |
| Keywords | Psychedelics Depression treatment Clinical research Mood disorders |
| Citations | 37 |
| Key finding | A low dose of LSD (26 µg) elicits more pronounced positive mood and stimulant-like effects, as well as stronger altered states of consciousness, in individuals with depressive symptoms compared to non-depressed individuals. |
Abstract
Recent studies and anecdotal reports suggest that psychedelics can improve mood states, even at low doses. However, few placebo-controlled studies have examined the acute effects of low doses of LSD in individuals with psychiatric symptoms. In the current study, we examined the acute and sub-acute effect of a low dose of LSD (26 µg) on subjective effects and mood in volunteers with mild depressed mood. The study used a randomized, double-blind, crossover design to compare the effects of LSD in two groups of adults: participants who scored high (≥17; n = 20) or low (<17; n = 19) on the Beck Depression-II inventory (BDI) at screening. Participants received a single low dose of LSD (26 µg) and placebo during two 5-h laboratory sessions, separated by at least one week. Subjective, physiological, and mood measures were assessed at regular intervals throughout the sessions, and behavioral measures of creativity and emotion recognition were obtained at expected peak effect. BDI depression scores and mood ratings were assessed 48-h after each session. Relative to placebo, LSD (26 µg) produced expected, mild physiological and subjective effects on several measures in both groups. However, the high BDI group reported significantly greater drug effects on several indices of acute effects, including ratings of vigor, elation, and affectively positive scales of a measure of psychedelic effects (5D-ASC). The high BDI group also reported a greater decline in BDI depression scores 48-h after LSD, compared to placebo. These findings suggest that an acute low dose of LSD (26 µg) elicits more pronounced positive mood and stimulant-like effects, as well as stronger altered states of consciousness in individuals with depressive symptoms, compared to non-depressed individuals.