Clinical Research on Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) in Psychiatry and Neuroscience.
Hossein Omidian, Alborz Omidian
Pharmaceuticals March 29, 2025 DOI: 10.3390/ph18040499 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | LSD |
| Keywords | Clinical research Pharmacogenetics Serotonin receptors Psychedelics hallucinogens Psychological treatment Entheogens Psychedelic medicine Mental health psychiatry Behavioral health Neuroscience brain chemistry Neurotransmitters |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | LSD shows promise for treating anxiety, depression, and alcohol use disorder, but challenges such as small sample sizes, variable dosing, and regulatory restrictions limit large-scale trials. |
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is gaining renewed interest as a potential treatment for anxiety, depression, and alcohol use disorder, with clinical trials reporting significant symptom reductions and long-lasting effects. LSD modulates serotonin (5-HT2A) receptors, which, in turn, influence dysfunctional brain networks involved in emotional processing and cognition. It has also shown promise in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, where mystical-type experiences are linked to improved psychological well-being. This review examines LSD's pharmacokinetics, neurobiological mechanisms, and safety considerations, including cardiovascular risks, emotional vulnerability, and the potential for hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD). Challenges such as small sample sizes, variable dosing protocols, and regulatory restrictions limit large-scale trials. Future research should focus on standardization, pharmacogenetic influences, and personalized treatment strategies to ensure its safe and effective integration into clinical practice.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study of a New Schizophrenomimetic Drug—Sernyl | 1959 | Review | |
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review | 2008 | Review | |
| Serotonin research: contributions to understanding psychoses | 2008 | Review | |
| ADVERSE REACTIONS TO PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS. A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE | 1984 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- LSD: Mechanisms and relevance to the treatment of depression Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews October 10, 2025
- Psychedelic Drugs Rediscovered-In Silico Study of Potential Fetal Exposure to Analogues of Psychedelic Drugs During Pregnancy. Molecules January 8, 2026
- Classic psychedelics and personality: An updated systematic review. Journal of Psychopharmacology May 31, 2026
Cites 58
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for alcoholism: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Journal of Psychopharmacology March 8, 2012
- The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics November 11, 2008
- Acute Effects of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Healthy Subjects Biological Psychiatry November 29, 2014
- Effective connectivity changes in LSD-induced altered states of consciousness in humans. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 28, 2019
- Hallucinogens in Mental Health: Preclinical and Clinical Studies on LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine Journal of Neuroscience November 30, 2020
and 53 more in the library