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19-Participant LSD Microdose Trial Shows Safe Depression Relief

5/9/2026

Summary

Daldegan-Bueno Leads LSD Trial

Dimitri Daldegan-Bueno of the University of Auckland led a Phase 2a trial where adults with major depressive disorder microdosed LSD.
Nineteen mostly male participants, continuing antidepressants, received an eight-microgram sublingual dose and later self-administered fifteen home doses ranging from four to twenty micrograms over eight weeks.
Researchers reported safe remote monitoring, labeled findings exploratory, and recommended future randomized double-blind placebo trials.

Summary

App Cuts Depression

Participants showed an average 60 % reduction in depression severity in the post-trial interview.
Researchers used a customized smartphone app that let participants adjust their microdose based on daily self-reports.
On dosing days participants reported higher creativity, energy and social connectedness, with happiness scores rising for the first two days after a dose.
Irritability scores fell two days after dosing.
Overlapping three-day depression questionnaires likely masked statistically significant changes.

Summary

Study Finds Stability

Peak blood concentration occurred just over an hour after participants took a sublingual LSD microdose.
Faster metabolizers showed lower peaks and consequently raised their home doses during the eight-week period.
Effect-strength ratings remained steady across all fifteen home sessions, indicating no rapid tolerance or sensitization.
Researchers noted the uncontrolled, open-label design and warned that expectancy and the supportive setting could cause a placebo-driven mood lift.

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Daldegan-Bueno Leads LSD Trial

Dimitri Daldegan-Bueno of the University of Auckland led a Phase 2a trial where adults with major depressive disorder microdosed LSD.
Nineteen mostly male participants, continuing antidepressants, received an eight-microgram sublingual dose and later self-administered fifteen home doses ranging from four to twenty micrograms over eight weeks.
Researchers reported safe remote monitoring, labeled findings exploratory, and recommended future randomized double-blind placebo trials.

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