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LSD‑Assisted Therapy: What the Latest MAPS Study Means for Us

Posted by greg208 in Research & News - 3 points, 3 comments.

I just finished reading the 2023 MAPS Phase‑2 report on LSD‑assisted therapy for depression and anxiety, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. They recruited 15 participants and reported significant reductions in PHQ‑9 scores after 2–3 supervised sessions over 6 weeks. The paper emphasises the importance of set and setting, and the therapists used a structured protocol with 100–200 µg doses.

For me, the claim that a single long‑lasting psychedelic can produce lasting mood improvements is intriguing but feels a bit overhyped. The study was small, and the improvements could be partly placebo or the intensity of the therapeutic environment. I’m keen to hear from anyone who’s tried the therapy in a clinical setting – how did you prepare, what was the experience, and did the benefits stick after the last session? Any practical tips for managing the intense visual and emotional journey?

Comments

  • liam_sleepnerd: I haven’t taken LSD myself, but a close colleague went through the MAPS protocol and I’ve logged his notes. He spent a full day before each session visualizing the vibe he wanted and avoided caffeine or heavy meals the night before. The therapist sat beside him in a quiet room with soft lighting, a playlist of instrumental tracks, and a simple breathing cue to ground him when the visual swirl started. After each session the therapist guided a 45‑minute integration talk, and he kept a journal of
  • greg208: Thanks for the detailed notes. I was curious if his pre‑session visualisation or the breathing cue felt more grounding for him – did one stand out? And for the month‑long lift, did he try any post‑integration rituals like journalling or CBT exercises? I’d love to try something similar.
  • greg208: Mate, the ritual setup and integration talk seem key, sounds like the environment and follow-up mattered as much as the dose. Curious if the mood drop after a month’s common? Or your mate’s protocol differed from others?

Community discussion - research and educational context only. Not medical advice.