LSD‑assisted psychotherapy is making a quiet yet meaningful comeback in scientific research after decades of restriction. These 15 carefully selected studies offer credible, peer-reviewed insights into its therapeutic potential, especially for anxiety, existential distress, and emotional transformation.
These papers include clinical trials, follow-ups, and reviews, showing not only symptom relief, but also lasting shifts in mood, meaning, and self‑view. Participants often report feeling more at peace with themselves and their life circumstances. Importantly, when LSD is administered under supervision, within a structured therapeutic framework, its safety profile is strong and manageable.
Whether you’re exploring emotional healing, deepening personal understanding, or supporting others through guided psychedelic experiences, this collection provides a solid scientific basis for LSD’s modern therapeutic journey.
LSD Therapy vs. Depression Severity (2025)
Holze, F., Gasser, P., Müller, F., Dolder, P. C., & Liechti, M. E. (2025). Efficacy and safety of low- versus high-dose LSD-assisted therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders.
In this modern, double-blind trial, people with moderate-to-severe depression received two therapy sessions paired with either low-dose LSD or higher therapeutic doses. At two weeks after treatment, the high-dose group reported a much larger drop in self-reported depression scores, confirmed by clinician ratings. These improvements remained visible at 6 and 12 weeks. Both dose protocols were well tolerated, with no serious adverse effects. Though early in scale, this study offers controlled evidence that, when accompanied by professional support, higher doses of LSD may unlock stronger antidepressant effects while even low doses offer modest uplift.
12‑Month Follow-Up in Anxiety Trial (2024)
Holze, F., Studerus, E., Vizeli, P., Dolder, P. C., Ley, L., Straumann, I., Müller, F., Strebel, M., & Liechti, M. E. (2024). LSD‑assisted therapy in patients with anxiety with and without a life‑threatening illness: open‑label prospective 12‑month follow‑up. British Journal of Psychiatry, 225(3), 362–370.
Participants from a well-controlled trial received two therapeutic LSD sessions combined with talk therapy and were followed for one year. Anxiety scores dropped dramatically and stayed significantly lower over 12 months. Depression symptoms also declined and remained reduced. Personality traits shifted: neuroticism decreased while extraversion increased. Many participants attributed meaningful personal growth, such as increased emotional openness and life appreciation, to their experience. Importantly, no serious health concerns or dependency issues were reported. The study provides rare long-term evidence of sustained psychological benefit from guided LSD therapy, reinforcing its potential as a transformative emotional intervention.
Predicting LSD Experience in Healthy Individuals (2024)
Holze, F., Vizeli, P., Schmid, Y., Müller, F., Ley, L., Straumann, I., & Studerus, E. (2024). Pharmacological and psychological predictors of subjective LSD response in 213 participants: dose, mood and traits matter. Translational Psychiatry, 14, 357.
Analysing nine controlled crossover studies with 213 healthy individuals, researchers identified major factors shaping LSD experiences. Dose was the strongest predictor of intensity, but pre-session mood, emotional sensitivity, and personality traits like openness significantly influenced outcomes. Prior psychedelic experience was linked to less anxiety during sessions. These findings highlight that both personal mindset and dose shape how LSD therapy is experienced, pointing to the importance of tailored preparation and individualized support in therapeutic use.
12‑Month Follow-Up in Anxiety Trial (2024)
Vizeli, P., Studerus, E., Holze, F., Schmid, Y., Dolder, P. C., Ley, L., Straumann, I., Becker, A. M., Müller, F., Arikçi, D., & Liechti, M. E. (2024). LSD‑assisted therapy in patients with anxiety with and without a life‑threatening illness: open‑label prospective 12‑month follow‑up. British Journal of Psychiatry, 225(3), 362–370.
Participants from a Phase II LSD‑assisted therapy trial were followed for one year. Anxiety and depression ratings remained significantly reduced compared to baseline, and personality traits like neuroticism decreased while extraversion increased. Many attributed positive life changes – such as greater openness, emotional clarity, and reduced fear – to the therapy. No serious adverse events or dependency occurred. This study offers rare long-term evidence that therapeutic LSD can lead to sustained emotional and personal transformation.
MindMed Phase II LSD Trial (2023)
MindMed and Liechti Lab (2023). Acute dose-dependent effects of lysergic acid diethylamide in a double‑blind placebo‑controlled study in healthy subjects. Neuropsychopharmacology, 48(10), 1656–1664.
In this safety‑focused modern trial, healthy volunteers received low to moderate LSD doses. The drug produced predictable effects on mood, creativity, and sensory perception, with mild and transient side effects (e.g. elevated blood pressure, mild anxiety). No long-term adverse events were seen. These results support LSD’s basic safety in controlled settings, an essential foundation for therapeutic use.
Phase II RCT: LSD for Anxiety (2023)
Holze, F., Gasser, P., Müller, F., Dolder, P. C., & Liechti, M. E. (2023). LSD‑assisted therapy in patients with anxiety with and without a life‑threatening illness: a randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled phase II study. Biological Psychiatry, 93(3), 215–223.
This well-designed Phase II trial randomised patients with anxiety – some associated with terminal illness –to receive either LSD or placebo, followed by psychotherapy. Sixteen weeks after treatment, the LSD group showed lasting reductions in anxiety and depression compared to controls. The treatment was safe with no serious adverse effects. These results offer modern, controlled evidence that LSD‑assisted psychotherapy can provide meaningful relief for anxiety across clinical contexts, and may reduce suffering even in complex medical situations.
Systematic Review of LSD RCTs (2019)
Fuentes, J. J., Fonseca, F., Elices, M., Farré, M., & Torrens, M. (2019). Therapeutic use of LSD in psychiatry: a systematic review of randomized-controlled clinical trials. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, 943.
This review examined 11 randomised, placebo‑controlled trials of LSD therapy conducted in the 1950s–1970s across various conditions: alcoholism, anxiety, and neurosis. Despite varied methods and older standards, many trials reported significant short-term symptom relief. Notable improvements included decreased alcohol dependence, reduced fear, and emotional breakthroughs. Safety was generally acceptable in controlled settings. Though older work, it shows a broader history of clinical use and informs current interest in restarting LSD psychotherapy research.
Open‑Label Follow-Up in Anxiety (2015)
Gasser, P., Holstein, D., Kirchner, K., Passie, T. (2015). LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a life-threatening disease: a qualitative study of acute and sustained subjective effects. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 29(1), 57‑68.
Participants originally treated with LSD for anxiety linked to serious illness were interviewed one year later. They described profound changes: increased emotional openness, better acceptance of illness, and deeper connections with life and others. Anxiety remained lower, and personal narratives emphasised healing of shame and fear. This qualitative study shows the kind of insight and meaning-making possible beyond symptom checklists, valuable for people seeking emotional depth in LSD-assisted therapy.
LSD Reduces Anxiety in Terminal Illness (2014)
Gasser, P., Holstein, D., Michel, Y., Doblin, R., Yazar‑Klosinski, B., & Passie, T. (2014). Safety and efficacy of lysergic acid diethylamide‑assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a life‑threatening disease. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 202(7), 513–520.
In this small randomised, placebo-controlled trial involving patients facing serious illnesses (most with advanced cancer), two LSD‑assisted psychotherapy sessions were given alongside talk therapy. At one year follow-up, those who received full doses saw significant anxiety reduction (about 20%) and improved mood, while the low‑dose group did not. Sessions were well-tolerated and no persistent side effects occurred. Though preliminary, this landmark study marks the most rigorous modern test of LSD’s potential for easing existential distress and anxiety linked to terminal illness.
Meta‑Analysis: LSD for Alcoholism (2012)
Krebs, T. S., & Johansen, P. Ø. (2012). Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for alcoholism: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 26(7), 994–1002.
Reviewing six randomised trials from the 1960s, this meta-analysis found that a single LSD session increased odds of reducing alcohol misuse compared to controls. While research standards were different then, participants receiving LSD were significantly more likely to remain sober. Early results suggest LSD can motivate profound behavioural change, and support re-examining older research to inform modern therapeutic design.
Controlled Comparison: LSD vs Amphetamine (1969)
Hollister, L. E., Shelton, J., & Krieger, G. (1969). A controlled comparison of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and dextroamphetamine in alcoholics. American Journal of Psychiatry, 125(10), 1352–1357.
This randomised comparison delivered either LSD or amphetamine to alcoholic patients within a therapeutic setting. The LSD group showed greater emotional insight and improved long-term recovery than the stimulant group. Results underscored LSD’s unique potential for deep psychological change beyond mere mood activation.
Peak Experience & Mystical Healing (1969)
Pahnke, W. N., Kurland, A. A., Goodman, L. E., & Richards, W. A. (1969). LSD‑assisted psychotherapy with terminal cancer patients. Current Psychiatric Therapy, 9, 144–152.
In early controlled trials with terminal cancer patients, participants reported profound spiritual experiences and emotional acceptance after LSD therapy, often described as mystical or life-altering. Anxiety reductions were notable, as individuals worked through existential fears. While older and less measured by today’s standards, these sessions laid groundwork for modern clinical methods.
Spring Grove Alcoholism Trials (1967)
Grof, S., Goodman, L. E., Richards, W. A., Pahnke, W. N., & Goodman, L. (1967). LSD-assisted psychotherapy in alcoholism: the Spring Grove experiments. International Pharmacopsychiatry, 8(3), 159–175.
Among the first large-scale clinical uses of LSD, these studies treated alcoholic patients using high-dose LSD sessions in a supportive setting. Many participants showed reduced craving and lasting abstinence, with personal reports highlighting emotional breakthroughs and life re-evaluation. Although early, the Spring Grove protocols influenced later psychedelic psychotherapy models and highlight LSD’s potential for transformative healing in addiction.
Early Controlled Trials in Alcoholism (1967)
Kurland, A. A., Unger, S. M., Shaffer, J. W., & Savage, C. (1967). Psychedelic therapy utilizing LSD in the treatment of the alcoholic patient: a preliminary report. American Journal of Psychiatry, 123(10), 1202–1209.
One of the first controlled trials comparing LSD vs standard care in alcoholism treatment. Patients who received LSD showed greater reductions in drinking and higher rates of meaningful recovery. Though modest in size, the findings showed potential of single ‘peak’ experiences to catalyse behavioural change in carefully managed settings.
Legacy Review: LSD Addiction Treatment (1967)
Kurland, A. A., Unger, S. M., Shaffer, J. W., Savage, C., & Pahnke, W. N. (1967). LSD in the treatment of alcohol dependence: early reports. American Journal of Psychiatry (1967).
Early reports suggest that one or two LSD sessions in therapeutic settings helped many alcoholic patients reduce or quit drinking. Important in early psychedelic research, these reports influenced later models and show long-standing interest in LSD’s potential for addiction healing.
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