Immunological Consequences of In Vitro Exposure to Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) directly alters immune function when immune cells are exposed to it in a laboratory setting. At a high concentration of 100 microM, LSD suppresses the proliferation of B-lymphocytes, reduces production of the cytokines IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6, and inhibits the induction of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. In contrast, at lower concentrations between 0.0001 and 0.1 microM, LSD enhances both basal and IL-2-augmented natural killer (NK) cell activity. These differential effects suggest that LSD can directly influence components of the immune system at concentrations potentially reached in the human body.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The ability of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) to alter immune function after direct in vitro exposure was examined. It was demonstrated that LSD is able to suppress the proliferation of B-lymphocytes; the production of the cytokines IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6; and the induction of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes at a concentration of 100 microM. In vitro exposure to LSD had differential effects on natural killer (NK) cell activity, with significant enhancement of both basal and IL-2-augmented NK cell function at concentrations between 0.0001 and 0.1 microM, and suppression of NK response at 100 microM. These results demonstrate that LSD may have a direct effect on components of the immune system at concentrations that may be reached upon human exposure.