Low Doses of LSD Acutely Increase BDNF Blood Plasma Levels in Healthy Volunteers

Despite preclinical evidence for psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity, confirmation in humans is grossly lacking. Given the increased interest in using low doses of psychedelics for psychiatric indications and the importance of neuroplasticity in the therapeutic response, this placebo-controlled with...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inACS pharmacology & translational science Vol. 4; no. 2; pp. 461 - 466
Main Authors Hutten, Nadia R. P. W, Mason, Natasha L, Dolder, Patrick C, Theunissen, Eef L, Holze, Friederike, Liechti, Matthias E, Varghese, Nimmy, Eckert, Anne, Feilding, Amanda, Ramaekers, Johannes G, Kuypers, Kim P. C
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States American Chemical Society 09.04.2021
Subjects
Letter
psychedelics
microdosing
placebo-controlled clinical trial
LSD
BDNF
neuroplasticity
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Despite preclinical evidence for psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity, confirmation in humans is grossly lacking. Given the increased interest in using low doses of psychedelics for psychiatric indications and the importance of neuroplasticity in the therapeutic response, this placebo-controlled within-subject study investigated the effect of single low doses of LSD (5, 10, and 20 μg) on circulating BDNF levels in healthy volunteers. Blood samples were collected every 2 h over 6 h, and BDNF levels were determined afterward in blood plasma using ELISA. The findings demonstrated an increase in BDNF blood plasma levels at 4 h (5 μg) and 6 h (5 and 20 μg) compared to that for the placebo. The finding that LSD acutely increases BDNF levels warrants studies in patient populations.
ISSN:2575-9108
2575-9108
DOI:10.1021/acsptsci.0c00099