Low Doses of LSD Acutely Increase BDNF Blood Plasma Levels in Healthy Volunteers.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Placebo-controlled within-subject trial in humans
PubMed 33860175 · doi:10.1021/acsptsci.0c00099
What was done
In a placebo-controlled, within-subject study, healthy volunteers received single low doses of LSD (5, 10, and 20 μg) or placebo. Blood samples were collected every 2 hours over a 6-hour period post-administration, and BDNF levels in blood plasma were measured using ELISA.
What was found
BDNF blood plasma levels increased compared to placebo at 4 hours for the 5 μg dose, and at 6 hours for both the 5 μg and 20 μg doses. The abstract provides no exact baseline numbers, absolute values, or effect sizes.
Why it matters
This study provides early human evidence that microdoses of LSD acutely elevate circulating BDNF, a key biomarker associated with neuroplasticity.
Limits
The abstract omits sample size, participant demographics, and exact numerical values. Peripheral BDNF is an indirect surrogate for central nervous system neuroplasticity, follow-up was limited to 6 hours, and the study evaluated healthy volunteers rather than a clinical population.
Cited by
- supports Peripheral BDNF levels can be detected in blood and are observed to increase after psychedelic use.