Placebo outperforms LSD microdosing for depression

In recent years, microdosing—the practice of consuming sub-hallucinogenic doses of psychedelic substances like LSD or psilocybin mushrooms—has gained significant popularity, especially within the realms of mental health and biohacking. Advocates have touted its potential benefits, claiming it could enhance mood, increase focus, and even alleviate symptoms of depression. However, a new study from MindBio Therapeutics, an Australian biopharma company, raises questions about these claims. The Phase 2B trial involved 89 adult participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Over an eight-week duration, researchers assessed the effects of microdosing LSD, with doses ranging from 4 to 20 micrograms. Surprisingly, the results showed that the placebo group, which received caffeine pills instead, experienced better outcomes on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), a standard tool for measuring depression severity. CEO Justin Hanka of MindBio Therapeutics announced these preliminary findings on LinkedIn, highlighting the study as a potentially groundbreaking investigation into microdosing. He emphasized it as the most rigorous placebo-controlled trial of its kind. Despite some participants reporting feelings of increased well-being while microdosing, the overall clinical analysis indicated that those receiving the placebo had more favorable scores, suggesting that the benefits of microdosing may not be as pronounced as previously believed. This study marks a significant moment in the ongoing exploration of psychedelics in mental health treatment, prompting a reevaluation of the therapeutic potential of microdosing.