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Three Cases of Reported Improvement in Microsmia and Anosmia Following Naturalistic Use of Psilocybin and LSD

Alexsandra Kovacevich, Jeremy Weleff, Benjamin Claytor, Brian S. Barnett

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs August 31, 2023 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2253538 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case series Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 3
Population Individuals with olfactory impairment (anosmia or microsmia)
Interventions Psilocybin LSD
Dose 6 g of psilocybin containing mushrooms, 100 µg of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 0.1 g of psilocybin mushrooms
Topics LSD Mescaline Psilocybin
Keywords Anosmia Hallucinogen
Citations 6
Key findings Three cases of olfactory improvement following psychedelic use suggest these substances may have therapeutic potential for smell disorders.

Abstract

Cultural awareness of anosmia and microsmia has recently increased due to their association with COVID-19, though treatment for these conditions is limited. A growing body of online media claims that individuals have noticed improvement in anosmia and microsmia following classic psychedelic use. We report what we believe to be the first three cases recorded in the academic literature of improvement in olfactory impairment after psychedelic use. In the first case, a man who developed microsmia after a respiratory infection experienced improvement in smell after the use of 6 g of psilocybin containing mushrooms. In the second case, a woman with anosmia since childhood reported olfactory improvement after ingestion of 100 µg of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). In the third case, a woman with COVID-19-related anosmia reported olfactory improvement after microdosing 0.1 g of psilocybin mushrooms three times. Following a discussion of these cases, we explore potential mechanisms for psychedelic-facilitated improvement in olfactory impairment, including serotonergic effects, increased neuroplasticity, and anti-inflammatory effects. Given the need for novel treatments for olfactory dysfunction, increasing reports describing improvement in these conditions following psychedelic use and potential biological plausibility, we believe that the possible therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for these conditions deserve further investigation.

Comparable studies

Other case reports and case series on LSD, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Lasting Neuropsychiatric Sequelae of (??)Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (???Ecstasy???) in Recreational Users Persons who ingested large doses of MDMA 1991 Case study n = 2
Further Studies in the Therapeutic Value of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Mental Illness Patients with mental illness 1957 Case series
Coma, Hyperthermia, and Bleeding Associated with Massive LSD Overdose a Report of Eight Cases People who self-administered large amounts of pure LSD powder intranasally 1975 Case series n = 8
Using a MDMA- and LSD-Group Therapy Model in Clinical Practice in Switzerland and Highlighting the Treatment of Trauma-Related Disorders Patients with chronic complex post-traumatic stress disorder (c-PTSD), dissociative,... 2022 Case series
Persistent Palinopsia Following Ingestion of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) Patients who developed persistent palinopsia after LSD ingestion 1996 Case series n = 3

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Related reading

Explore topics

LSD Mescaline Psilocybin Microdosing Neuroplasticity Serotonin