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EFFICACY, SAFETY AND TOLERABILITY OF LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE FOR THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS: A META-ANALYSIS AND SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Andreea Chiorean — Helena Kim2, Andrew Lustig2, Ishrat Husain3 1University of Toronto, 2Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, 3Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University Health Network, University of Toronto

2026 ASCP Annual Meeting

Background

Since the Food and Drug Administration designated lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) as a “breakthrough” treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, accumulating randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating LSD’s anxiolytic effects have also reported improved depression symptoms. Given the co-occurrence of anxiety and depression, evaluating the safety and efficacy of LSD in treating depression symptoms is warranted.

Methods

MEDLINE/PubMED, Embase, and PsychINFO were searched from inception to December 9, 2025. RCTs evaluating efficacy of LSD on depression symptoms in adults with mental disorders were included. Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 and X2 and I2 tests were used to measure quality and heterogeneity. This review was preregistered on PROSPERO