A study shows that there is no significant difference between microdosing LSD and placebo in treating ADHD symptoms.
The perceived benefits of microdosing for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are likely to be driven by expectations rather than actual pharmacological effects, according to a new study from the University Hospital Basel in Switzerland and Maastricht University in the Netherlands, published in JAMA Psychiatry.
Understanding ADHD and the Treatment Challenges
ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects approximately 2,6% of adults worldwide. The disorder is characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which interfere with daily functioning, occupational performance, and overall quality of life. Although pharmacological medications classified as stimulants and nonstimulants are the standard of care, they are not universally effective. Studies show that up to 40% of patients do not achieve adequate symptom control, and many patients experience side effects that lead to medication discontinuation.
Given these challenges, there is growing interest in exploring alternative treatments for ADHD, including psychedelic microdosing.
What is Microdosing?
Microdosing refers to the practice of taking small doses of psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or psilocybin, with the intention of improving cognitive function or relieving psychiatric symptoms without producing psychoactive effects. Typically, a microdose of LSD ranges from 5 to 20 µg, and users often follow a schedule of dosing every few days over a period of several weeks. Anecdotal reports and naturalistic studies suggest that microdosing LSD can improve symptoms of ADHD, such as inattention and impulsivity, but controlled clinical evidence remains scarce.
Naturalistic studies
Naturalistic studies are conducted in the real world without experimental manipulation, often using observational data and self-reported outcomes.
Most of the evidence for microdosing in ADHD comes from self-reported improvements and observational data, which, however, lack the rigorous controls needed to establish causal relationships. A recent systematic review of microdosing studies highlighted the need for randomized controlled trials to validate claims of effectiveness.
Clinical Study of LSD Microdosing
To investigate whether microdosing LSD could improve symptoms of ADHD, researchers conducted a rigorous clinical trial to evaluate its safety and effectiveness. The goal of the study was to determine whether the perceived benefits of microdosing hold up to scientific scrutiny or are simply driven by expectations.
Dr. Lorenz Müller, a lecturer at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Basel, and colleagues conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2A randomized clinical trial. The study lasted six weeks and recruited 53 adult participants, aged 18 to 65, who had been diagnosed with moderate to severe ADHD.
Evaluation of low-dose LSD for ADHD
Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either 20 µg of LSD or a placebo, twice weekly under supervision. They were then assessed using the Adult ADHD Investigator Symptom Rating Scale. Self-reported and observer-rated ADHD symptoms were also recorded using standardized rating scales. Safety outcomes were monitored, including adverse events and physical health parameters.
Both the LSD and placebo groups showed a significant reduction in ADHD symptoms over the six weeks. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.
“Although repeated low-dose LSD administration was safe in an outpatient setting, it was not shown to be effective compared to placebo in improving ADHD symptoms in adults,” the authors wrote.
The most common side effects reported were headache, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, and visual changes, but no serious side effects were reported.
“A relatively high microdose was chosen to increase the chance of detecting a positive effect and effectiveness. Therefore, we consider it unlikely that the dose was too low to be effective,” the authors added.
Many participants, even those in the placebo group, believed they had received LSD, which may have influenced their self-reported improvements. The authors noted that participants who believed they had received LSD reported greater reductions in ADHD symptoms than those who correctly guessed they had received a placebo.
Implications of LSD microdosing for ADHD treatment
The findings of this study challenge the perception that microdosing LSD can effectively reduce ADHD symptoms.
“These results cast doubt on anecdotal practice and highlight the importance of placebo-controlled trials in psychedelic microdosing research,” the authors said.
The strong placebo response was likely influenced by high expectations and extensive media coverage of the potential benefits of psychedelic microdosing, the authors said. The fact that many participants in the placebo group believed they had received LSD and subsequently reported improvements in symptoms underscores the impact of expectancy bias.
“Perceived benefits of psychedelic microdosing may be due more to expectations than to the pharmacological effects of the psychedelic compound itself,” they added.
Future research should focus on investigating alternative dosing regimens, such as lower doses or varying administration schedules, and other forms of psychedelics, including psilocybin.
While microdosing remains a subject of public fascination, only controlled clinical studies can determine its true effectiveness and safety.
Source: technologynetworks.com
