LSD microdosing for major depressive disorder: Mood and pharmacokinetic outcomes from a Phase 2a trial
Dimitri Henriques Daldegan-Bueno, C Donegan, Rachael L. Sumner, Anna Forsyth, Soo Hee Jeong, William Evans, Malak Alshakhouri, Robin J. Murphy, Lisa Reynolds, Nicholas Hoeh, Nathan Allen, Frederick Sundram, David B Menkes, Suresh Muthukumaraswamy
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry February 18, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2026.111645 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractTaking very low doses of LSD (8 micrograms) repeatedly over a short period may temporarily improve mood in people with depression, though the effect needs confirmation in controlled experiments. The drug's behavior in the body was measured in this group, and no evidence of tolerance or increased sensitivity appeared, even when the dose was gradually increased.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Clinical trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | People with depression |
| Intervention | LSD |
| Dose | 8 μg |
| Topics | Depression |
| Keywords | Pharmacokinetics Depression economics Depressive symptoms Clinical trial |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | Short-term mood improvements followed microdosed LSD in people with depression, with no tolerance or sensitisation observed despite dose titration. |
Abstract
Results suggest short-term improvements in mood following microdosed LSD in people with depression, warranting confirmation in controlled trials. It provides the pharmacokinetic parameters of 8 μg of LSD in a sample of people with depression and indicates no tolerance or sensitisation to repeated microdoses of LSD, despite incremental dose titration.