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LSD microdosing for major depressive disorder: Mood and pharmacokinetic outcomes from a Phase 2a trial

Dimitri Henriques Daldegan-Bueno, C Donegan, Rachael Sumner, Anna Forsyth, Soo Hee Jeong, William Evans, Malak Alshakhouri, Robin J Murphy, Lisa Reynolds, Nicholas Hoeh, Nathan Allen, Frederick Sundram, David B Menkes, Suresh Muthukumaraswamy

Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry February 18, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2026.111645 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Clinical trial Peer reviewed
Population People with depression
Intervention LSD
Dose 8 μg
Topics Depression LSD Microdosing
Keywords Pharmacokinetics Depression economics Depressive symptoms Clinical trial Sample material Clinical psychology Pharmacology Depressive mood Phase matter
Citations 1
Key findings Short-term mood improvements followed microdosed LSD in people with depression, with no tolerance or sensitisation observed despite dose titration.

Abstract

Results suggest short-term improvements in mood following microdosed LSD in people with depression, warranting confirmation in controlled trials. It provides the pharmacokinetic parameters of 8 μg of LSD in a sample of people with depression and indicates no tolerance or sensitisation to repeated microdoses of LSD, despite incremental dose titration.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for 2 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

  • State of the evidence: LSD and microdosing Supports

    Short-term mood improvements followed microdosed LSD (8 μg) in people with depression, with no tolerance or sensitisation observed despite dose titration.

    Synthesized

  • State of the evidence: LSD for depression Supports

    Short-term improvements in mood followed microdosed LSD in people with depression, with no tolerance or sensitisation observed.

    Synthesized

Comparable studies

Other non-randomized and open-label trials on LSD and microdosing, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
An open-label pilot trial assessing tolerability and feasibility of LSD microdosing in patients with major depressive disorder (LSDDEP1). Patients with major depressive disorder meeting DSM-5 criteria 2023 Open-label pilot trial n = 20
LSD microdosing in major depressive disorder: results from an open-label trial Participants with major depressive disorder, most taking antidepressant medication 2025 Open-label phase 2A trial n = 19
Evaluating the Potential of Microdosing 1cp-LSD for the Treatment of Canine Anxiety: A One-Month Case Study. A 13-year-old female dog with severe separation anxiety 2025 Pilot study, single-case study n = 1
What is it like to microdose LSD for depression? a thematic analysis of participant interviews from an open-label trial. Adults with major depressive disorder 2025 Open-label pilot trial (phase IIa) with post-intervention qualitative interviews n = 17
155. EXPLORING LSD MICRODOSING IN AN OPEN-LABEL PILOT FOR MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER: THE INTERPLAY OF BEHAVIORAL ACTIVATION, MOOD IMPROVEMENT, AND CONNECTEDNESS Individuals with major depressive disorder 2025 Open label trial n = 17

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