LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)
A long-acting classic psychedelic studied for anxiety, depression and addiction. Research interest in LSD-assisted therapy has grown alongside MAPS-era psychedelic science.
How it works
Activates serotonin 5-HT2A receptors (and others), changing perception, mood and the way brain networks communicate. Effects last much longer than most psychedelics.
Key facts
- Molecular weight: 323.43 g/mol
- Half-life: ~3-5 hours
- Bioavailability: Oral
- Storage: Research/clinical settings only.
Dosing overview
- Typical dose: 100-200 mcg in clinical trials
- Frequency: One to a few supervised sessions
- Duration: Acute effects last 8-12 hours
- Route: Oral, in a supervised therapeutic setting
Protocol notes
- Usually taken by mouth on a small square of blotter paper, a tab, or as a drop of liquid.
- In research settings it is given in a calm room with a guide, eyeshades and music, much like psilocybin sessions.
- Because it lasts 8-12 hours, people clear their whole day and avoid driving or responsibilities.
- Microdosing (a fraction of a normal dose every few days) is popular anecdotally but not well proven.
Reported benefits
- Studied for anxiety in serious illness
- Explored for depression and addiction
- Long duration allows deep therapeutic work
- Renewed clinical research interest
Possible side effects
- Long, intense experiences
- Anxiety or fear
- Raised heart rate and blood pressure
- Visual distortions lasting hours
- Risk of distressing experiences without support
Research
- LSD-assisted therapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening disease (2014): Reduced anxiety with benefits sustained at 12-month follow-up in a small controlled study.
- LSD treatment for anxiety disorder (Phase 2) (2023): Significant reduction in anxiety symptoms compared with placebo.
Compare LSD
Community discussions about LSD
- Master's Survey - All Input Appreciated! - 3 comments
- LSZ – LSD‑Analog That Might Be Too Good to Be True? - 3 comments
- LSD-assisted therapy trials at 100-200 mcg, is the clinical framework actually scalable? - 4 comments
- PE 22-28 and the TREK-1 channel research - 0 comments
- DOI keeps popping up in 5-HT2A receptor mapping papers, anyone tracking the research angle? - 4 comments
- Ask the community about LSD
Research and educational reference only. Not medical advice.