LSD found to ease generalized anxiety disorder in study

A new study finds that a single dose of LSD can ease generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) for months. The study involved 198 adults with GAD and found that participants who received higher doses of LSD (100 or 200 micrograms) responded quickly, with improvements lasting 12 weeks. However, the study's results are unclear, as it is not known whether some of the improvement was related to non-drug factors such as the sensory environment in which people were treated.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has demonstrated the potential of a single dose of LSD in alleviating symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) for up to 12 weeks. The study, conducted by Mind Medicine Inc. (NASDAQ: MNMD), involved 198 adults with moderate-to-severe GAD.

The study, titled "MM120 (Lysergide D-Tartrate, LSD) in Generalized Anxiety Disorder," evaluated four dose levels of MM120 (25, 50, 100, or 200 micrograms) as a monotherapy in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. The primary endpoint was a dose-response relationship assessed by changes from baseline to Weeks 4 and 8 on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A).

The results showed a statistically significant dose-response relationship, with the 100 microgram dose achieving the most significant reduction in anxiety symptoms. At Week 4, the 100 microgram dose demonstrated a 7.6-point greater reduction in HAM-A scores compared to placebo (-21.3 vs. -13.7; p0.0004; Cohen’s d=0.88), with a 65% clinical response rate and 48% clinical remission rate sustained to Week 12. The 200 microgram dose also showed significant improvements, while the 25 and 50 microgram doses did not reach statistical significance.

The study found that MM120 was generally well-tolerated, with most adverse events rated as mild-to-moderate, transient, and consistent with the expected acute effects of LSD. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has provided Breakthrough Therapy Designation to MM120 for GAD based on these Phase 2b study results.

While the study's findings are promising, it is important to note that the sensory environment in which participants were treated may have contributed to some of the improvements. The study protocol explicitly prohibited psychotherapy, and participants were offered standardized music and eyeshades, which could have influenced the results.

MindMed is currently enrolling participants in three pivotal Phase 3 trials (Voyage, Panorama, and Emerge) to further assess the efficacy, durability, and safety of MM120 Orally Disintegrating Tablet (ODT) in the treatment of GAD and major depressive disorder (MDD). Topline data for these trials is expected in the first and second half of 2026.

The study highlights the potential of psychedelics in psychiatric medicine and represents a significant advancement in the field of psychiatry. However, further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects and potential risks of LSD treatment.

References:
[1] https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20250904867044/journal-of-the-american-medical-association-jama-publishes-results-from-first-ever-randomized-placebo-controlled-clinical-trial-assessing-the-dose-dependent-efficacy-of-mm120-lysergide-d-tartrate-lsd-in-generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad