Safety pharmacology of acute LSD administration in healthy subjects
Psychopharmacology September 13, 2021 Friederike Holze, Toya V Caluori, Patrick Vizeli et al. 57 citations
LSD dose-dependently increased subjective, physiologic, and adverse effects in healthy subjects. Positive subjective effects (good drug effect) were more pronounced than negative ones (bad drug effect), with maximal ratings of >50% good drug effects reached in 37%, 91%, 96%, and 91% of administrations at 25, 50, 100, and 200 µg, respectively, versus 0%, 9%, 27%, and 31% for bad drug effects. Physiologic effects were moderate: no systolic blood pressure exceeded 180 mmHg, peak heart rate >100 beats/min occurred in up to 25% of subjects at the highest dose, and peak body temperature >38°C in up to 34%. Kidney and liver function remained unaltered. Six subjects reported transient flashbacks. Single-dose LSD is safe regarding acute psychological and physical harm in healthy subjects in a controlled research setting.