Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) and the Heart: Exploring the Potential Impacts of LSD on Cardiovascular Function.
Akshita Suleria, Sakshi Verma, Khanij Arya, Mason T Stoltzfus, Ira Gupta, Bhupinder Singh, Tanveer Shaik
Cureus July 1, 2025 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.87356 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | LSD Microdosing Serotonin |
| Keywords | Cardiovascular disease Psychedelics |
| Key findings | Chronic peripheral antagonism of 5-HT2A receptors by LSD reduces atherosclerotic and thrombotic processes, while microdosing may reduce inflammation implicated in cardiovascular disease. |
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is an ergot-derived psychedelic agent that produces perceptual and psychic effects of heightened sensations by acting on the dopaminergic, adrenergic, and serotonergic pathways in the brain and periphery, with 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5-HT2A) as the primary target molecule. Its action on these receptors in the central nervous system is comparatively well studied with respect to the psychedelic effects; however, there is speculative evidence of cardioprotective effects in the current literature attributed to the usage of this substance, even though acute ingestion causes tachycardia and hypertension, just like other psychedelics. Larger recreational doses of the drug can lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular incidents, but chronic peripheral antagonism of 5-HT2A receptors by the drug reduces atherosclerotic and thrombotic processes due to a reduction in platelet aggregation and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Central sympathetic stimulation caused by micro-dosing of LSD imparts anti-inflammatory effects and increases cortical synaptogenesis, leading to reduced chronic inflammation implicated in causing cardiovascular diseases.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on LSD and microdosing, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 30
- Safety and Efficacy of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide-Assisted Psychotherapy for Anxiety Associated With Life-threatening Diseases The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease March 4, 2014
- Psychedelic effects of psilocybin correlate with serotonin 2A receptor occupancy and plasma psilocin levels Neuropsychopharmacology January 26, 2019
- The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics November 11, 2008
- Lysergic Acid Diethylamide-Assisted Therapy in Patients With Anxiety With and Without a Life-Threatening Illness: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase II Study. Biological Psychiatry February 1, 2023
- Psychedelics: Where we are now, why we got here, what we must do Neuropharmacology February 21, 2018
and 25 more in the library