Rankings / Mood, Anxiety & Stress

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)

Mood, Anxiety & Stress · Classic psychedelic / 5-HT2A agonist

Tier C+

Reviewed by Read Off Label · Last reviewed · How we grade

psychedeliccontrolled-substance
5.7 / 10
Tier C+
Ev 6 Bn 6.5 Sf 5

Bottom line

Read Off Label grades LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) as C+ (5.7/10) based on moderate evidence, med-high benefit magnitude, and a med-risk safety profile.

MindMed MM120 (standardized LSD tartrate) Ph2b showed ~48% remission in GAD at 12 weeks with single dose; Ph3 ongoing.

Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: 50-200 mcg (recreational); 100-200 mcg clinical; 5-20 mcg 'microdose' — Schedule I US; Class A UK; not individualized guidance.

What the evidence says

MindMed MM120 (standardized LSD tartrate) Ph2b showed ~48% remission in GAD at 12 weeks with single dose; Ph3 ongoing. Gasser terminal-illness anxiety work (Swiss) was pioneering. Microdose RCTs (Imperial, Hartogsohn) show no consistent cognitive or mood benefit over placebo.

Mechanism

5-HT2A agonist with partial activity at 5-HT1A, 5-HT2C, D2; extremely potent; longer duration than psilocybin (~8-12 hr); MindMed LSD (MM120) in Ph3 for GAD

Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route

50-200 mcg (recreational); 100-200 mcg clinical; 5-20 mcg 'microdose'

This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.

Citations

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Common questions

What does the evidence show about LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)'s effects?
Read Off Label rates the evidence for LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as med-high, producing an overall grade of C+ (5.7/10). MindMed MM120 (standardized LSD tartrate) Ph2b showed ~48% remission in GAD at 12 weeks with single dose; Ph3 ongoing.
What safety findings are reported for LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)?
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) has a med risk profile in the database. Med (HPPD rare, 'bad trips', cardiovascular caution; contraindicated with psychosis risk; flashbacks) Legal status: Schedule I US; Class A UK.
What doses or routes are reported for LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)?
50-200 mcg (recreational); 100-200 mcg clinical; 5-20 mcg 'microdose' This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
How does LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) work?
5-HT2A agonist with partial activity at 5-HT1A, 5-HT2C, D2; extremely potent; longer duration than psilocybin (~8-12 hr); MindMed LSD (MM120) in Ph3 for GAD

This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.