LSD shows positive effect on depression – Swiss study

According to a study from Basel, two moderate to high doses of the intoxicating LSD can relieve the symptoms of moderate to severe depression. The first results of this research were presented on Friday at a symposium on “80 years of LSD” in Basel.

Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann accidentally discovered the intoxicating effects of LSD on April 16, 1943, in his Basel laboratory, while searching for new drugs.

For the study, 61 patients were treated with low or medium to high doses of LSD. Patients and therapists did not know who was in which group (randomised, double-blind, parallel group study). Prior to treatment, patients were given their respective LSD doses twice at four-week intervals.

The study was conducted by Matthias Liechti, Felix Müller and colleagues from the University of Basel in collaboration with the American biopharmaceutical company MindMed.

The administration of 100 or 200 micrograms of LSD reduced depressive symptoms two weeks and three months after treatment, Müller said. His conclusion: “Two moderate to high doses of LSD significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to two low doses of LSD.” The research has not yet been reviewed by independent experts and published in a trade journal.

Decades ago, there were studies proving LSD’s effectiveness in treating depression, but they were not conducted under today’s rigorous conditions. Liechti and Müller wanted to test the results of that time. Because LSD had fallen into disrepute as a recreational drug through misuse and was banned, research came to a halt. It has been gaining momentum again for a few years now.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.08’025(sda/dpa)