Assessing the potential cardiovascular risk of microdosing the psychedelic LSD in mice

Chronic administration of low-dose LSD in mice does not produce the cardiovascular damage seen with serotonin, a known cardiotoxin. Serotonin caused significant ventricular thickening after 4 and 8 weeks, while LSD at two sub-hallucinogenic doses showed no such changes. Although LSD activates 5-HT 2B receptors—the same receptors linked to heart disease from chronic activation—the activation is substantial but short-lived compared to the cardiotoxin d-fenfluramine. Affinity and potency of LSD, psilocybin, and norfenfluramine at mouse and human 5-HT 2B receptors were similar. These findings indicate no evidence of cardiovascular risk from prolonged low-dose LSD in mice.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Summary Microdosing, the prolonged ingestion of psychedelics at sub-hallucinogenic doses, has gained popularity for its perceived cognitive and emotional benefits. Psychedelics have high affinity for 5-HT 2B receptors, which cause heart disease with strong chronic activation. We investigated the effects of microdosed psychedelics on cardiovascular health in mice using electrocardiography after chronically administering either serotonin as a positive control or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) at two sub-hallucinogenic doses. Serotonin produced significant ventricular thickening at 4- and 8-weeks. No significant changes were observed in vehicle or LSD groups. We determined the affinity and potency of LSD, psilocybin, and norfenfluramine at mouse and human 5-HT 2B Rs and observed no significant differences. We calculated that levels of 5-HT 2B activation by low-dose LSD were substantial, but short-lived, compared to the cardiotoxin d -fenfluramine. Together, these data provide no evidence of cardiovascular risk associated with prolonged administration of low-dose LSD in mice.