{"id":698862,"date":"2025-11-12T18:56:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T15:56:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/lsd-microdosing-reduces-depression-scores-without-major-side-effects-clinical-trial-finds\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T18:56:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T15:56:08","slug":"lsd-microdosing-reduces-depression-scores-without-major-side-effects-clinical-trial-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/lsd-microdosing-reduces-depression-scores-without-major-side-effects-clinical-trial-finds\/","title":{"rendered":"LSD microdosing reduces depression scores without major side effects, clinical trial finds"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3077ab6984f\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3077ab6984f\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/lsd-microdosing-reduces-depression-scores-without-major-side-effects-clinical-trial-finds\/#What_the_team_set_out_to_test\" >What the team set out to test<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/lsd-microdosing-reduces-depression-scores-without-major-side-effects-clinical-trial-finds\/#Dosing_and_oversight\" >Dosing and oversight<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/lsd-microdosing-reduces-depression-scores-without-major-side-effects-clinical-trial-finds\/#What_participants_experienced\" >What participants experienced<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/lsd-microdosing-reduces-depression-scores-without-major-side-effects-clinical-trial-finds\/#Was_it_safe\" >Was it safe?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/lsd-microdosing-reduces-depression-scores-without-major-side-effects-clinical-trial-finds\/#Positive_changes_in_symptoms\" >Positive changes in symptoms<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/lsd-microdosing-reduces-depression-scores-without-major-side-effects-clinical-trial-finds\/#What_the_findings_mean\" >What the findings mean<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-gallery lightGallery\">\n<div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2025\/lsd.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/hires\/2025\/lsd.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Credit: Unsplash\/CC0 Public Domain\">\n<figure class=\"article-img\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800a\/2025\/lsd.jpg\" alt=\"LSD\" title=\"Credit: Unsplash\/CC0 Public Domain\" width=\"800\" height=\"482\"\/><figcaption class=\"text-darken text-low-up text-truncate-js text-truncate mt-3\">\n                Credit: Unsplash\/CC0 Public Domain<br \/>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>University of Auckland researchers report that an 8-week, twice-weekly LSD microdosing regimen for major depressive disorder was feasible and well-tolerated, with Montgomery-\u00c5sberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores reduced by 59.5% at the end of treatment and sustained to six months.<\/p>\n<p>Major depressive disorder affects about 5% of the global population and existing antidepressants can have slow onset, variable tolerability, side effects, and show limited efficacy for many patients. Interest in classic serotonergic psychedelics as potential treatments for depression and related conditions has been increasing.<\/p>\n<p>Previous controlled work describes acute mood and energy changes from LSD microdoses in healthy volunteers and notes user-led microdosing practices at levels below substantial alterations in consciousness. Safety questions have included anxiety or overstimulation and a theoretical risk of heart valve disease linked to 5-HT2B receptor activity.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_the_team_set_out_to_test\"><\/span>What the team set out to test<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the study, &#8220;LSD microdosing in major depressive disorder: results from an open-label trial,&#8221; <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/linkinghub.elsevier.com\/retrieve\/pii\/S0028390825004708\" target=\"_blank\">published<\/a> in <i>Neuropharmacology<\/i>, researchers conducted a Phase 2A open-label investigation to evaluate tolerability and feasibility for a Phase 2B randomized controlled trial. Objectives also included de<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">script<\/a>ive changes in depression severity and other mental health outcomes, along with cardiac safety, including echocardiography and electrocardiography (ECG).<\/p>\n<p>A total of 19 participants enrolled and received the intervention. The mean age was 41.52 years. Fifteen participants were male. Baseline MADRS averaged 23.7 with SD 6.72, indicating moderate depression. Fifteen participants were taking antidepressants at entry, including SSRIs in 10, SNRIs in 2, tetracyclics in 2, and one taking both an SNRI and a tetracyclic.<\/p>\n<p>Tolerability was defined by withdrawal due to adverse events. Feasibility was defined by attendance at scheduled clinic visits. Safety assessments included adverse events, laboratory tests, 12-lead ECG, and transthoracic echocardiography before and after the intervention.<\/p>\n<p>Depression was assessed with the clinician-rated MADRS at baseline, weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8, with follow-ups at 1, 3, and 6 months. Additional measures included HAM-A, RRS, DASS, DARS, and WHOQOL-BREF at baseline and week 8.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-gallery lightGallery\">\n<div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2025\/lsd-microdosing-reduce.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/hires\/2025\/lsd-microdosing-reduce.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Approximate session length: remote screening (2 h); onsite screening (1 h), baseline (3 h); treatment (7 h); measure (4 h); follow-up (15 min). After the end of the main trial (measure visit), participants had the option to extend the trial by having a second dosing period and a second measure visit. For those who opted to extend the trial (n = 4), the follow-up sessions were done after the second measure visit (16 weeks after baseline). Credit: &lt;i&gt;Neuropharmacology&lt;\/i&gt; (2026). DOI: 10.1016\/j.neuropharm.2025.110762\">\n<figure class=\"article-img text-center\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800a\/2025\/lsd-microdosing-reduce.jpg\" alt=\"LSD microdosing reduces depression scores without major side effects\" title=\"Approximate session length: remote screening (2 h); onsite screening (1 h), baseline (3 h); treatment (7 h); measure (4 h); follow-up (15 min). After the end of the main trial (measure visit), participants had the option to extend the trial by having a second dosing period and a second measure visit. For those who opted to extend the trial (n = 4), the follow-up sessions were done after the second measure visit (16 weeks after baseline). Credit: Neuropharmacology (2026). DOI: 10.1016\/j.neuropharm.2025.110762\"\/><figcaption class=\"text-left text-darken text-truncate text-low-up mt-3\">\n                Approximate session length: remote screening (2 h); onsite screening (1 h), baseline (3 h); treatment (7 h); measure (4 h); follow-up (15 min). After the end of the main trial (measure visit), participants had the option to extend the trial by having a second dosing period and a second measure visit. For those who opted to extend the trial (n = 4), the follow-up sessions were done after the second measure visit (16 weeks after baseline). Credit: <i>Neuropharmacology<\/i> (2026). DOI: 10.1016\/j.neuropharm.2025.110762<br \/>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dosing_and_oversight\"><\/span>Dosing and oversight<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Participants took 16 sublingual doses over eight weeks, beginning with 8 \u03bcg in the clinic, then 6\u201320 \u03bcg at home twice weekly with titration guided by a study app capturing end-of-day subjective effects. Instructions asked participants to avoid potentially risky activities for 6 hours post-dose and to refrain from dosing after 2 p.m. to limit sleep disruption.<\/p>\n<p>A custom smartphone app supported compliance, activity prompts on dosing days, and dose-response reporting. Video logs verified administration.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_participants_experienced\"><\/span>What participants experienced<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Two participants discontinued for reasons unrelated to the trial and one withdrew due to anxiety on dosing days. The mean titrated dose was 14.61 \u03bcg with a range from 6 to 20 \u03bcg. A total of 342 doses were taken, with 319 self-administered at home and verified, indicating 100% compliance with home dosing.<\/p>\n<p>Adverse events did not include any serious or severe cases. Headaches were most common on dosing days, reported three times across two participants. Anxiety leading to withdrawal occurred at 6 \u03bcg in a participant with high baseline anxiety, and symptoms resolved after withdrawal.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Was_it_safe\"><\/span>Was it safe?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Echocardiography before and after the intervention was completed by 15 participants in the main phase, with four continuing into an extension for a total of 32 doses over 16 weeks. No clinically significant echocardiographic abnormalities were identified by the end of treatment.<\/p>\n<p>ECG readings that reflect how long the heart&#8217;s electrical system takes to recharge between beats were 408.84 ms at screening, 408.49 ms at end of the main phase, and 413.58 ms at the extension measure. One participant recorded a QTc of 460 ms at the measure visit after a baseline value of 434 ms.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Positive_changes_in_symptoms\"><\/span>Positive changes in symptoms<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>All measures moved in directions consistent with improvement by the end of treatment. Baseline MADRS averaged 23.7. End-of-treatment MADRS averaged 9.59, a 59.52% reduction. Nine participants met criteria for remission and clinical response at the end of treatment.<\/p>\n<p>HAM-A decreased by 51.9%, indicating less anxiety. DASS subscales decreased for stress by 34.9%, anxiety by 59.1%, and depression by 40.6%.<\/p>\n<p>Rumination decreased by 14.7% on the RRS, with fewer repetitive, problem-focused thoughts. DARS scores increased by 14.8%, signaling a greater ability to experience interest and pleasure.<\/p>\n<p>WHOQOL-BREF scores increased across physical, psychological, <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">social<\/a>, and environmental domains, as well as overall quality of life and <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/general\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"General\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">general<\/a> health, a sign of broad gains in perceived quality of life.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_the_findings_mean\"><\/span>What the findings mean<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Findings support the feasibility of home-based, titrated LSD microdosing in moderate depression under clinical oversight. Safety monitoring identified no clinically significant changes.<\/p>\n<p>Authors describe preliminary antidepressant signals and improvements across related measures. Plans to follow up with a Phase 2B randomized controlled trial are noted to evaluate superiority of LSD versus placebo as a continuation of this program.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-main__support\">\n<p>\n    Written for you by our author <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/editorial-team\/#authors\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Jackson<\/a>, edited by <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/editorial-team\/\" target=\"_blank\">Gaby Clark<\/a>, and fact-checked and reviewed by <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/editorial-team\/\" target=\"_blank\">Robert Egan<\/a>\u2014this article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/sciencee\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"5\" title=\"Science\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">science<\/a> journalism alive.<br \/>\n    If this reporting matters to you,<br \/>\n    please consider a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sciencex.com\/donate\/?utm_source=story&amp;utm_medium=story&amp;utm_campaign=story\">donation<\/a> (especially monthly).<br \/>\n    You&#8217;ll get an <b>ad-free<\/b> account as a thank-you.\n    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-main__more p-4\">\n<p><strong>More information:<\/strong><br \/>\n                                                    Dimitri Daldegan-Bueno et al, LSD microdosing in major depressive disorder: results from an open-label trial, <i>Neuropharmacology<\/i> (2026). <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-doi=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1016\/j.neuropharm.2025.110762\" target=\"_blank\">DOI: 10.1016\/j.neuropharm.2025.110762<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"article-main__note mt-4\">\n                                                \u00a9 2025 Science X Network\n                                            <\/p>\n<p>                                        <!-- print only --><\/p>\n<div class=\"d-none d-print-block\">\n<p>\n                                                 <strong>Citation<\/strong>:<br \/>\n                                                 LSD microdosing reduces depression scores without major side effects, clinical trial finds (2025, November 12)<br \/>\n                                                 retrieved 12 November 2025<br \/>\n                                                 from https:\/\/medicalxpress.com\/<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a>\/2025-11-lsd-microdosing-depression-scores-major.html\n                                            <\/p>\n<p>\n                                            This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no<br \/>\n                                            part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.\n                                            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script id=\"facebook-jssdk\" async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more Like this articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/sciencee\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Science category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/medicalxpress.com\/news\/2025-11-lsd-microdosing-depression-scores-major.html\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Credit: Unsplash\/CC0 Public Domain University of Auckland researchers report that an 8-week, twice-weekly LSD microdosing regimen for major depressive disorder was feasible and well-tolerated, with Montgomery-\u00c5sberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores reduced by 59.5% at the end of treatment and sustained to six months. Major depressive disorder affects about 5% of the global population and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-698862","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sciencee"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/698862","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=698862"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/698862\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=698862"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=698862"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=698862"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}