Single low doses of LSD increase reward-related brain activity in healthy adults. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment, 18 participants received 13 μg or 26 μg of LSD or a placebo across three sessions. Brain electrical activity was recorded during a monetary incentive delay task. Compared to placebo, the 13 μg dose enhanced three event-related potential components: Reward-Positivity (RewP), Feedback-P3 (FB-P3), and Late-Positive Potential (LPP), indicating increased hedonic, motivational, and affective processing of reward feedback. The 26 μg dose also increased FB-P3 amplitudes for positive feedback. These effects were not linked to most subjective drug effects. The findings provide the first evidence that low LSD doses boost reward-related brain activity, with potential implications for treating depressive disorders.
Lucid dreaming—dreaming while aware that one is dreaming—can be intentionally shaped by combining Tibetan-Buddhist visualization practices with modern dream-engineering techniques. In an exploratory sleep-laboratory study, five participants spent seven overnight sessions with polysomnographic monitoring and auditory reminders to visualize Chenrezig, a Buddhist embodiment of compassion, during REM sleep. Two participants reported lucid dreams: a frequent lucid dreamer without prior Tibetan-Buddhist training experienced a lucid dream that included a visualization of Chenrezig after auditory cueing, and a monastic participant with no prior lucid dreaming history reported their first-ever lucid dream the night after their session. The findings suggest that dream content can be deliberately influenced through this integrated approach.
A low dose of LSD (26 micrograms) altered brain responses to reward feedback in people with mild-to-moderate depression, compared to those without depression. In depressed participants, LSD increased a brain signal called the late positive potential (LPP) when they received loss feedback, suggesting enhanced emotional processing of rewards. This change was linked to immediate positive mood and lower depressed mood two days later. Across all participants, LSD reduced other reward-related brain signals. The findings cautiously support the idea that low-dose LSD may have antidepressant effects.