Groundbreaking Study Shows A Single Dose of LSD Can Reduce Anxiety

A mind-bending clinical trial conducted by biotech firm MindMed found that a single dose of LSD may offer lasting relief from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). All without the need for talk therapy.

In a randomized study involving 198 adults aged 18 to 74 diagnosed with moderate to severe GAD, participants received one of four LSD dosages or a placebo. The treatment was administered under clinical supervision—yet no psychotherapy was provided during the session.

Just 24 hours later, individuals who received the highest dosages – 100 or 200 micrograms – began reporting significant reductions in anxiety symptoms. These improvements became more pronounced by the fourth week, outperforming those given lower doses or a placebo.

Twelve weeks post-treatment, the results stood out: approximately 65% of patients treated with the 100 µg dose continued to benefit, and nearly half had achieved full remission. Depression symptoms also noticeably improved in this group – effects not seen in recipients of lower doses. MindMed’s researchers now consider 100 micrograms the optimal amount for future trials.

Safety was also a consideration. Although common side effects included hallucinations, nausea, and headaches, there were no incidents of self-harm or suicidal behavior among participants.

The FDA has granted MindMed’s LSD-based treatment a “breakthrough therapy” designation, a status that could streamline its path to approval. Meanwhile, the company is already running a larger Phase 3 trial, expected to yield results in late 2026.

Experts have hailed the findings as a potentially transformative development in psychiatric treatment. Historically, there’s been scant innovation for GAD—no new drugs have been approved since 2007. While psychedelics are surging anew as treatment options, researchers caution that distinguishing true drug effects from placebo remains difficult. Many participants could tell whether they’d received LSD or a placebo, potentially skewing results.