A single 100 µg dose of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) improved offline motor learning the next day and, one week later, reduced perceived stress and increased aspects of cognitive flexibility in 45 healthy adults. Electroencephalography showed that LSD acutely decreased N1 and P2 auditory event-related potential amplitudes, with P2 still modulated after one week. Transcranial magnetic stimulation revealed increased motor-evoked potential amplitude and faster latency under LSD. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels were unchanged. The findings suggest lasting effects of LSD on learning and neural signals, while highlighting challenges in measuring long-term potentiation in humans.
In Switzerland, physicians provide psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) with psilocybin, LSD, or MDMA under case-by-case exemptions from the Federal Office of Public Health. An anonymous survey of 41 physicians found that PAT is used mainly for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. Most physicians work in private practices (82%) and use body-oriented (61%), psychodynamic (59%), and eclectic (54%) approaches. Psilocybin is the most used substance (85%), followed by MDMA (71%) and LSD (65.9%). Substance choice is linked to diagnosis: psilocybin for depression (54%) and substance use disorder (46%), MDMA for PTSD (86%) and anxiety (54%). Music is played in 90% of sessions. Group therapy is common; 42% provide both individual and group settings. Challenges include legal constraints, high patient expectations, and financial barriers.