What is the impact of LSD on mental health?
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The Impact of LSD on Mental Health
Acute Psychological Effects of LSD
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent psychedelic known for its profound effects on consciousness and perception. Acute administration of LSD can lead to a range of psychological experiences, including heightened mood, audiovisual synesthesia, derealization, and mystical experiences1 4. These effects are primarily mediated by the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR)4. However, LSD can also induce psychosis-like symptoms, such as confusion and anxiety, particularly at higher doses1 5 7.
Mid to Long-Term Psychological Benefits
Despite the acute psychosis-like symptoms, LSD has been shown to have positive mid to long-term effects on psychological well-being. Studies have reported increased optimism, openness, and emotional empathy weeks after administration1 4 6. These benefits are thought to result from increased cognitive flexibility and neuroplasticity induced by LSD1 2 4. Additionally, LSD has been found to reduce anxiety in patients with life-threatening diseases for up to two months after administration4.
Therapeutic Potential in Psychiatry
LSD has a historical and emerging role in the treatment of various psychiatric conditions. Controlled studies have demonstrated its potential in treating alcoholism, anxiety, depression, and psychosomatic disorders2 3. Modern neuroimaging studies suggest that LSD alters brain blood flow and connectivity, which may underlie its therapeutic effects2 4. Despite the promising results, more contemporary, well-designed clinical trials are needed to fully understand and validate LSD's therapeutic potential3.
Microdosing and Cognitive Effects
Microdosing, the practice of taking sub-perceptual doses of LSD, has gained popularity for its purported benefits on mood and cognition. Controlled studies have shown that low doses of LSD (5-20 mcg) can enhance mood, increase friendliness, and reduce attentional lapses, although they can also increase confusion and anxiety at higher microdoses5. However, other studies have found minimal changes in cognition and mood with low doses, suggesting that the benefits of microdosing may be limited or require further investigation8.
Emotional Processing and Social Behavior
LSD significantly impacts emotional processing and social behavior. It has been shown to impair the recognition of sad and fearful faces while enhancing emotional empathy and prosocial behavior4 6 9. These effects may be beneficial in psychotherapeutic settings, where enhanced emotional empathy and reduced fear responses can facilitate therapeutic processes6 9.
Safety and Adverse Effects
In controlled settings, LSD is generally safe with moderate physiological effects, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, which are dose-dependent7. Acute adverse effects are typically mild and transient, with no significant long-term harm observed in healthy subjects7. However, illicit use of LSD is associated with higher risks of mental health conditions, including serious psychological distress and major depressive episodes, particularly among young adults10.
Conclusion
LSD has complex and multifaceted effects on mental health. While it can induce acute psychosis-like symptoms, it also offers significant mid to long-term psychological benefits and therapeutic potential for various psychiatric conditions. The practice of microdosing shows some promise but requires further research. Overall, LSD's impact on emotional processing and social behavior highlights its potential utility in psychotherapy, though safety and efficacy must be carefully managed in clinical settings.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
The 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.
RCT
Very Rigorous Journal
Highly 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 JournalTherapeutic 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 CitedModern Clinical Research on LSD
LSD can induce bliss, audiovisual synesthesia, altered perceptions, and mystical experiences, with potential therapeutic potential in psychiatry.
Literature ReviewRigorous JournalHighly CitedMood and cognition after administration of low LSD doses in healthy volunteers: A placebo controlled dose-effect finding study
Low doses of LSD can enhance mood and performance in healthy individuals, with the minimal effect being 5 mcg and the most noticeable effects after 20 mcg.
RCTHighly CitedLSD 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.
RCTVery Rigorous JournalHighly CitedSafety pharmacology of acute LSD administration in healthy subjects
LSD administration in healthy subjects increases subjective, physiologic, and adverse effects, with higher maximums for positive effects compared to negative effects.
Meta-AnalysisVery Rigorous JournalIn healthy adults, LSD produces little change in cognition, mood
Repeated low doses of LSD in healthy adults showed no significant changes in mood or cognitive performance, but may cause subjective stimulant-like effects.
RCTAcute effects of LSD on amygdala activity during processing of fearful stimuli in healthy subjects
LSD acute administration reduces amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex activity during fearful stimuli processing in healthy subjects.
RCTVery Rigorous JournalHighly CitedMental health conditions and receipt of mental health care by illicit lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) use status among young adults in the United States.
Young adults with past-year illicit LSD use have an elevated prevalence of mental health conditions and are less likely to receive prescription medications and overall mental health care.
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