Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent psychedelic drug primarily acting on serotonin receptors in the brain. Research highlights the following key points:

1. Mechanisms of Action: LSD and its derivatives, such as 1-acyl-substituted derivatives including 1P-LSD and 1B-LSD, interact with serotonin 5-HT2 receptor subtypes¹. These derivatives are often considered prodrugs for LSD, converting to LSD in the body.

2. Microdosing Effects: Microdosing involves taking very low doses of LSD (typically around 10-20 µg) regularly. Studies report that microdosing LSD can produce dose-related subjective effects, enhancing feelings of vigor, creativity, connectedness, and energy. It can transiently improve mood and perception without inducing full psychedelic experiences²³⁴.

3. Cognitive and Mood Impacts: Controlled studies suggest that repeated low doses of LSD do not result in sustained improvements in mood or cognition in healthy volunteers, though some transient positive subjective effects have been observed⁵⁶. Anxiety remains a potential adverse effect.

4. Safety and Adverse Effects: Low doses of LSD are generally well-tolerated, but there are cases where even microdosing can lead to increased anxiety or necessitate medical intervention due to adverse reactions⁷⁸.

5. Sleep Effects: Findings indicate microdosing LSD can increase sleep duration on the night after administration without disrupting sleep stages or daily physical activity⁹.

Given the current legal status and potential risks associated with LSD, it is important to approach any use of this substance with caution and preferably under professional supervision for any therapeutic purposes.

Footnotes

1. Adam L. Halberstadt, "Pharmacological and biotransformation studies of 1-acyl-substituted derivatives of d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)," PubMed Central, 2020. ↩

2. Anya K Bershad, "Acute Subjective and Behavioral Effects of Microdoses of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Healthy Human Volunteers," PubMed, 2019. ↩

3. Robin J Murphy, "Acute Mood-Elevating Properties of Microdosed Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Healthy Volunteers," PubMed, 2023. ↩

4. Anya K. Bershad, "Preliminary report on the effects of a low dose of LSD on resting state amygdalar functional connectivity," PubMed Central, 2024. ↩

5. Harriet de Wit, "Repeated low doses of LSD in healthy adults: A placebo-controlled, dose–response study," PubMed Central, 2024. ↩

6. Kim P.C. Kuypers, "The therapeutic potential of microdosing psychedelics in depression," PubMed Central, 2020. ↩

7. Emma I Kopra, "Adverse experiences resulting in emergency medical treatment seeking following the use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)," PubMed Central, 2022. ↩

8. Steliana Yanakieva, "The effects of microdose LSD on time perception: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial," PubMed Central, 2018. ↩

9. Nathan Allen, "LSD increases sleep duration the night after microdosing," PubMed Central, 2024. ↩