L-5-hydroxytryptophan for LSD-induced psychosis
American Journal of Psychiatry April 1, 1983 DOI: 10.1176/ajp.140.4.456 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Double-blind Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A 23-year-old man suffering from LSD-induced psychosis |
| Interventions | L-5-hydroxytryptophan placebo |
| Topics | LSD Serotonin |
| Keywords | Psychosis 5-hydroxytryptophan Hallucinogen Catatonia Schizophrenia object-oriented programming |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key findings | L-5-hydroxytryptophan reversed the symptoms of LSD-induced psychosis in a single patient, consistent with the hypothesis that such psychosis may involve a serotonin deficiency. |
Abstract
The serotonin precursor L-5-hydroxytryptophan reversed the symptoms of a 23-year-old man suffering from LSD-induced psychosis who participated in a randomized, double-blind crossover study of the drug and a placebo. This finding is compatible with the speculation that some LSD-induced psychotic disorders may be caused by a relative deficiency of CNS serotonin.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety and Efficacy of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide-Assisted Psychotherapy for Anxiety Associated With Life-threatening Diseases Patients with anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases | 2014 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 12 |
| Dose-Response Study of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine in Humans Experienced hallucinogen users | 1994 | Double-blind, saline placebo-controlled, randomized study | n = 12 |
| Acute Effects of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Healthy Subjects Healthy subjects (8 women, 8 men) | 2014 | Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study | n = 16 |
| Changes in global and thalamic brain connectivity in LSD-induced altered states of consciousness are attributable to the 5-HT2A receptor Healthy human participants | 2018 | Double-blind, randomized, counterbalanced, cross-over study | n = 24 |
| LSD-induced entropic brain activity predicts subsequent personality change. Healthy adults | 2016 | Balanced-order, placebo-controlled study | n = 19 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- The psychopharmacology of hallucinogens. Neuropsychopharmacology April 1, 1996
- Indoleamine and the phenethylamine hallucinogens: mechanisms of psychotomimetic action Drug and Alcohol Dependence June 1, 1998
- Treatment approaches and efficacy in psychedelic-induced psychosis: A systematic review. Asian Journal of Psychiatry June 26, 2025
- Clinical features and management of intoxication due to hallucinogenic drugs. Medical toxicology and adverse drug experience 1989
Cites 4
- Flashbacks: Recurrent Intrusive Images After the Use of LSD American Journal of Psychiatry October 1, 1969
- Chronic Users of LSD: The "Acidheads" American Journal of Psychiatry September 1, 1968
- Neuropsychological Assessment of Undergraduate Marihuana and LSD Users Archives of General Psychiatry November 1, 1974
- A Chronic Impairment of Colour Vision in Users of LSD The British Journal of Psychiatry May 1, 1982