Psychopharmacology
October 6, 2021
Conor H. Murray, Ilaria Tare, Claire Perry et al.
75 citations
Low doses of LSD (13 and 26 micrograms) produced broad reductions in brain wave power across multiple frequency bands during rest and dampened specific event-related potentials (P300 and N170) during a visual task in healthy adults. The drug also increased positive mood, energy, and anxiety, as well as heart rate and blood pressure, but did not cause the full perceptual or sensory changes typical of higher psychedelic doses. These neurophysiological effects resemble those seen with higher doses, suggesting that very low LSD doses might produce subtle behavioral or therapeutic effects without inducing a full psychedelic experience.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
May 17, 2025
Daria Dikovskaya, Bhargav Srinivasa Desikan, Joel Frohlich et al.
2 citations
A preliminary investigation into altered states of consciousness (ASC) analyzed 300 narrative reports across 12 induction methods, including meditation, float tank, and several psychedelics. Most psychedelics (except LSD), along with salvia and ketamine, shared similar content with non-pharmacological methods. In qualitative analysis, most psychedelics except LSD were deemed both positive and authentic, with authenticity predicting positive sentiment across all methods. Latent themes charted a trajectory from baseline to metaphysical experience, and text-to-image AI illustrated the underlying structure. The findings suggest that some ASC induction methods, such as salvia, ketamine, or 5-MeO-DMT, may be characterized as 'mind-manifesting,' but not others like LSD, datura, or DPH.
Neuropsychopharmacology
May 13, 2024
Conor H. Murray
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy shows promise for treating psychiatric conditions, with clinical trials over the past decade demonstrating safety and efficacy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted priority review for a new drug application involving MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, following a Breakthrough Therapy designation in 2017. Australia became the first country to authorize MDMA prescriptions for PTSD. Beyond PTSD, evidence from clinical trials indicates that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is safe, tolerable, and effective for alcohol use disorder, autism, and end-of-life anxiety.