LSD Shows Promise in Easing Severe Anxiety, new Study finds
New york, NY – September 5, 2024 – A single, carefully controlled dose of pharmaceutical-grade LSD has demonstrated meaningful potential in alleviating symptoms of moderate-to-severe generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), according to groundbreaking research published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The findings offer a potential new avenue for treatment for those who haven’t found relief through customary methods.
The phase 2b clinical trial,led by Dr. Reid Robison of Cedar Clinical Research in Draper, Utah, involved 198 adults diagnosed with GAD. Participants where randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or one of four doses of MM120,a pharmaceutical formulation of LSD (25,50,100,or 200 micrograms).
Researchers tracked changes in anxiety levels using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A).At the four-week mark, those receiving 100 μg and 200 μg of MM120 showed statistically significant improvements compared to the placebo group – a reduction of 5.0 and 6.0 points on the HAM-A scale, respectively. Lower doses (25 μg and 50 μg) did not demonstrate the same level of significant improvement.
“Thes results are encouraging,” says Dr. Robison.”They suggest that a single, controlled dose of LSD, in a clinical setting, can provide significant and relatively rapid relief for individuals struggling with debilitating anxiety.”
Side Effects Observed
The study also documented side effects, which were largely consistent with previous research on psychedelic substances. The most common adverse effects were alterations in visual perception – including illusions, pseudo-hallucinations, and visual hallucinations – with the incidence increasing alongside the dosage. Nausea and headache were also reported, with higher doses correlating with a greater likelihood of experiencing these symptoms.
Specifically:
* Visual Perceptual Changes: Ranged from 46.2% in the 25 μg group to 100% in the 200 μg group, compared to 10.3% in the placebo group.
* Nausea: Reported in 7.7% of the placebo group, increasing to 60% in the 200 μg group.
* Headache: Reported in 23.1% of the placebo group, peaking at 35% in the
