What does lsd do
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The Effects of LSD: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction to LSD and Its Mechanism of Action
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent psychedelic known for its profound effects on consciousness and perception. LSD primarily acts on the serotonergic system, particularly as a partial agonist at the 5-HT2A receptor and an agonist at the 5-HT1A receptor. At higher doses, it also affects the dopaminergic system by stimulating dopamine D2 receptors and Trace Amine Associate receptor 1 (TAAR1)2. These interactions lead to the characteristic hallucinogenic and psychotic-like symptoms associated with LSD use.
Emotional and Social Effects of LSD
Impairment in Fear Recognition and Enhanced Empathy
LSD has been shown to acutely impair the recognition of sad and fearful faces, which may be beneficial in therapeutic settings by reducing negative emotional biases1 7. Concurrently, LSD enhances emotional empathy and prosocial behavior, increasing feelings of happiness, trust, and closeness to others1 7. These effects suggest that LSD could be useful in psychotherapy by fostering a more open and empathetic emotional state.
Psychological Wellbeing and Cognitive Flexibility
LSD induces robust psychological effects, including heightened mood and increased optimism and trait openness, which persist for weeks after administration5. These changes are thought to result from increased cognitive flexibility and a fundamental modulation in the quality of cognition, promoting emotional lability during intoxication and improved psychological wellbeing in the long term5.
Therapeutic Potential of LSD in Psychiatry
Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders
Historically, LSD has been explored for its potential to treat various psychiatric conditions, including anxiety, depression, and addiction3 4. Modern clinical studies have shown that LSD can reduce anxiety in patients with life-threatening diseases and has shown promise in treating alcoholism3 8. The therapeutic effects are believed to be mediated through enhanced emotional processing and increased neuroplasticity4 8.
Mechanisms Underlying Therapeutic Effects
LSD's therapeutic potential is linked to its ability to enhance learning and flexible thinking. Studies have shown that LSD increases the speed at which value is updated following feedback, particularly after rewards, suggesting a state of heightened plasticity7. This enhanced learning rate could facilitate the revision of maladaptive associations, which is crucial in treating mental disorders7.
Neuropharmacological Insights
Altered Brain Connectivity
LSD significantly alters brain connectivity, particularly within cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) pathways. It increases connectivity from the thalamus to the posterior cingulate cortex and decreases connectivity from the ventral striatum to the thalamus, which are changes dependent on serotonin 2A receptor activation6. These alterations in connectivity are thought to underlie the psychedelic state and have implications for developing novel treatments for psychiatric conditions6.
Brain Network Dynamics
LSD untethers functional connectivity from structural connectivity constraints, increasing the complexity of segregated brain states and enhancing the integration and segregation of brain networks9. These changes in brain dynamics are associated with the subjective experiences of ego-dissolution and altered states of consciousness, providing a bridge between pharmacodynamics, subjective experience, and brain function9.
Conclusion
LSD is a powerful psychedelic with a complex mechanism of action involving serotonergic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic neurotransmission. It has significant effects on emotional processing, social behavior, and cognitive flexibility, which may be harnessed for therapeutic purposes. Modern research continues to explore its potential in treating psychiatric disorders, with promising results indicating its ability to enhance learning, neuroplasticity, and brain connectivity. Further studies are needed to fully understand and optimize the therapeutic applications of LSD in psychiatry.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
LSD Acutely Impairs Fear Recognition and Enhances Emotional Empathy and Sociality
LSD enhances emotional empathy and sociality, potentially benefiting LSD-assisted psychotherapy by improving fear recognition and promoting prosocial behavior.
RCT
Very Rigorous Journal
Highly Citedd-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) as a Model of Psychosis: Mechanism of Action and Pharmacology
LSD-induced psychosis is a useful model for testing the therapeutic efficacy of potential novel antipsychotic drugs, particularly those with dual serotonergic and dopaminergic mechanisms or acting on TAAR1 receptors.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedTherapeutic Use of LSD in Psychiatry: A Systematic Review of Randomized-Controlled Clinical Trials
LSD shows potential as a therapeutic agent in psychiatry, with the strongest evidence supporting its use in treating alcoholism.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedDoes LSD Have Any Therapeutical Value In Mental Disorders? A Non-Systemic Review
LSD, when administered safely in a supervised psychotherapeutic setting, shows potential in treating certain mental disorders, including drug and alcohol dependence and anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases.
Systematic Review
Rigorous JournalThe paradoxical psychological effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
LSD elicits psychosis-like symptoms acutely but improves psychological wellbeing in the mid to long term, due to increased cognitive flexibility and emotional lability during intoxication.
RCTVery Rigorous JournalHighly CitedEffective connectivity changes in LSD-induced altered states of consciousness in humans
LSD alters directed connectivity within cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical pathways, potentially causing disintegration of information processing and contributing to the psychedelic state.
RCTHighly CitedEffect of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on reinforcement learning in humans
LSD enhances reinforcement learning rates in healthy humans, potentially revising maladaptive associations and improving learning and flexible thinking in psychiatric disorders.
RCTRigorous JournalModern Clinical Research on LSD
LSD can induce bliss, audiovisual synesthesia, altered perceptions, and mystical experiences, with potential therapeutic potential in psychiatry.
Literature ReviewRigorous JournalHighly CitedLSD alters dynamic integration and segregation in the human brain
LSD alters brain dynamics, increasing small-worldness and complexity of segregated states, leading to ego-dissolution and bridging pharmacodynamics, subjective experience, and brain dynamics.
Non-RCTVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited