Biological psychiatry
September 15, 2023
Robin J Murphy, Rachael Sumner, William Evans et al.
69 citations
Microdosing LSD (10 μg every three days for six weeks) in healthy adult men produced transient improvements in creativity, connectedness, energy, happiness, irritability, and wellness on dose days compared with nondose days, even after controlling for preintervention expectancy. However, no enduring changes in overall mood or cognition were observed between baseline and six-week assessments. The most notable adverse event was treatment-related anxiety, which led four participants in the LSD group to withdraw. Microdosing appears relatively safe in this population but does not support claims of lasting mood or cognitive benefits.
Palliative & supportive care
August 1, 2023
Xuepeng Jing, Nicholas R Hoeh, David B Menkes
18 citations
A scoping review of pipeline clinical trials identified 25 studies of psychedelic treatment for depression, anxiety, and existential distress at end of life, including 13 randomized controlled trials and 12 open-label trials. Investigational drugs included ketamine (11 trials), psilocybin (10), MDMA (2), and LSD (2); three trials involved microdosing, and fifteen incorporated psychotherapy. Only three trials assessed expectancy and blinding effectiveness beyond randomization. The review expects ongoing trials to extend evidence for psychedelic-assisted group therapy and microdosing, but head-to-head comparisons of different psychedelics and more rigorous studies controlling expectancy are still needed.
Pilot and feasibility studies
February 12, 2024
Alesha Wells, A P Suresh Muthukumaraswamy, Eva Morunga et al.
10 citations
A proposed trial will test whether adding a low, non-hallucinogenic dose of LSD to meaning-centred psychotherapy (MCP) is feasible for advanced cancer patients with anxiety or depression. Forty participants (20 Māori, 20 non-Māori) will receive seven MCP sessions plus either an LSD microdose (4-20 µg) or a placebo, under double-blind conditions. Outcomes include feasibility, acceptability, safety, and psychological measures at baseline, during treatment, and at one- and six-month follow-ups. The study aims to determine whether a full-scale trial is possible and to provide initial evidence on whether microdosing may enhance psychological care in this population.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
July 2, 2025
Grace Stockwell, Nicholas R Hoeh, Francesca Fogarty et al.
2 citations
In-depth interviews with 12 people receiving ketamine-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression reveal that preparation of mind-set—including openness, clear intentions, mindfulness, and understanding how the therapy works—supports therapeutic benefit. Comfort in the setting, fostered by learning about the therapist's personal experiences, a strong therapeutic alliance, and feeling safe, helps patients 'let go.' External cues like music can guide a spiritual journey. Caution is warranted when trauma surfaces and letting go leaves patients feeling vulnerable. These contextual processes inform future clinical trials and improve the efficacy of ketamine-assisted therapy.