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Home/Research/LSD/Palliative & End-of-Life Distress

LSD for Palliative & End-of-Life Distress

39 papers and 5 clinical trials exploring lsd as a treatment for palliative & end-of-life distress.

Compoundclassic psychedelic

LSD

LSD is a classic psychedelic ergoline with high potency at microgram doses and an 8-12 hour duration of action, mediated primarily via 5-HT2A receptor agonism. Modern Phase IIb data in generalised anxiety disorder and FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for MM120 have reignited clinical development.

Full LSD profile
IndicationApproximately 40% of patients with terminal illnesses report significant distress at the end of life.

Palliative & End-of-Life Distress

Palliative and end-of-life distress represents a significant psychosocial challenge faced by patients with life-limiting illnesses, significantly impacting quality of life. Recent research suggests that psychedelic compounds, particularly psilocybin, may offer promising therapeutic benefits in alleviating existential distress and improving psychological well-being in these patients.

Full Palliative & End-of-Life Distress profile

Academic Research

39 papers
Open Accessindividual

It's all about the relationship: The caregiver experience of supporting a person with advanced cancer going through an LSD microdosing trial

This secondary analysis of an RCT (n=15 interviews) found that caregivers of people with advanced cancer were generally supportive of participation in an LSD microdosing plus meaning-centred psychotherapy trial, though some were initially hesitant. It highlighted the bidirectional nature of patient-caregiver well-being, with the intervention seen as offering hope, easing existential distress, and strengthening their relationship.

Published
February 26, 2026
Journal
Palliative & Supportive Care
Authors
Cottam, F., Wells, A., Clayden, C., Reynolds, L.
Open Accessindividual

Efficacy and safety of low- versus high-dose-LSD-assisted therapy in patients with major depression: A randomized trial

This double-blind controlled trial (n=61) found that high-dose LSD-assisted therapy (100μg + 200μg) reduced depression symptoms more than low-dose LSD (25μg + 25μg) in patients with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder (MDD), with benefits lasting up to 12 weeks and similar side effects between groups.

Published
September 1, 2025
Journal
Med
Authors
Mu, F., Zaczek, H., Becker, A. M., Auernig, M., Boehlke, C., Liechti, M. E., Ley, L., Borgwardt, S., Santos De Jesus, J., Loh, N., Kohut, J.
Paywallmeta

Quality of reporting on psychological interventions in psychedelic treatments: a systematic review

This systematic review (s=45) on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for mental disorders finds that psychological interventions are reported with low completeness and high heterogeneity. It also finds that MDMA studies are more homogeneous, with greater procedural detail.

Published
December 9, 2024
Journal
Lancet
Authors
Seybert, C., Schimmers, N., Silva, L., Breeksema, J. J., Veraart, J. K. E., Bessa, B. S., d'Orsi, D., Schoevers, R. A., Dinis-Oliveira, R. J.
Open Accessindividual

LSD-assisted therapy in patients with anxiety: open-label prospective 12-month follow-up

In a planned 12‑month open‑label follow‑up of a double‑blind, placebo‑controlled crossover trial, LSD‑assisted therapy produced sustained, clinically significant reductions in anxiety and depression with large effect sizes lasting up to nearly two years after treatment. Participants also showed decreased neuroticism, increased extraversion and reported positive long‑term effects attributed to the psychedelic experience.

Published
July 30, 2024
Journal
BJPsych Open
Authors
Holze, F., Gasser, P., Müller, F., Strebel, M., Liechti, M. E.
Open Accessindividual

Lysergic acid diethylamide-assisted therapy in patients with anxiety with and without a life-threatening illness A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II study

This double-blind cross-over trial (n=42) finds that LSD (2x 200 μg) significantly reduced anxiety (STAI-G) scores up to three months after treatment. The patients, both with and without a life-threatening illness, also improved on measures of depression (HAM-D, BDI). Those with more subjective drug effects and mystical-type experiences had better outcomes.

Published
February 1, 2023
Journal
Biological Psychiatry
Authors
Holze, F., Gasser, P., Müller, F., Dolder, P. C., Liechti, M. E.
Open Accessindividual

LSD use in the United States: Examining user demographics and their evolution from 2015-2019

Analysing NSDUH data from 2015–2019, the authors found a 47% increase in past‑year LSD use (0.59% to 0.87%) without a proportional rise in hallucinogen use disorder. Use was linked to greater access and lower perceived risk plus specific sociodemographic and behavioural correlates (e.g. Asian race, low income, fewer children, history of selling drugs, past‑year suicide attempt in adults) and rose among pregnant, 26–34‑year‑old, married respondents and lifetime methamphetamine users, suggesting growing societal acceptance though LSD remains uncommon and not a major driver of public‑health harm.

Published
December 26, 2022
Journal
MedRvix
Authors
Weleff, J., Anand, A., Dewey, E. N., Barnett, B. S.

Clinical Trials

5 trials
RecruitingPhase II

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) in Palliative Care (LPC)

Randomised, quadruple-blind, active-placebo controlled parallel trial (n=60) testing two oral LSD sessions (100 µg then 100/200 µg) versus low-dose LSD active-placebo (25 µg ×2) for psychosocial distress in patients with end-stage disease.

Started
September 1, 2023
Type
interventional
Blinding
quadruple
Randomized
Yes
Registry ID
NCT05883540
Not yet recruitingPhase II

A feasibility study of Psychedelic Microdosing-Assisted Meaning Centred Psychotherapy in advanced stage cancer patients (PAM Trial)

This double-blind, placebo-controlled feasibility trial (n=40) investigates Psychedelic Microdosing-Assisted Meaning-Centred Psychotherapy (PA–MCP) in advanced-stage cancer patients. Led by Dr Lisa Reynolds at The University of Auckland, the study evaluates LSD microdosing (starting at 8 µg, twice weekly for 6 weeks; 13 doses total) alongside Meaning-Centred Psychotherapy.

Started
June 1, 2023
Type
interventional
Blinding
single
Randomized
Yes
Registry ID
ACTRN12623000478617
CompletedPhase II

LSD Treatment in Persons Suffering From Anxiety Symptoms in Severe Somatic Diseases or in Psychiatric Anxiety Disorders

Double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized crossover (n=46) testing two single-dose LSD 200 µg sessions versus two placebo sessions in patients with anxiety with or without life-threatening illness.

Started
May 31, 2017
Type
interventional
Blinding
quadruple
Randomized
Yes
Registry ID
NCT03153579
CompletedPhase II

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)-Assisted Psychotherapy in People With Illness-related Anxiety

Randomised, double-blind, active-placebo controlled Phase II pilot (n=12) testing two LSD-assisted psychotherapy sessions (200 µg vs 20 µg) in people with anxiety related to potentially fatal illness.

Started
January 2, 2008
Type
interventional
Blinding
quadruple
Randomized
Yes
Registry ID
NCT00920387
Completed

LSD Treatment for Anticipatory Anxiety in Pre-Terminal Cancer Patients: An Open-Label Clinical Series (Kast 1967)

This unregistered trial (n=128) was an open-label clinical series of single-dose LSD for anticipatory anxiety and pain in pre-terminal cancer patients, which demonstrated a reduction in psychological distress and improved sleep patterns.

Started
January 1, 1966
Type
interventional
Randomized
No
Registry ID
KAST-1967-PQ-LSD-TERMINAL-CANCER

Explore further

Search all LSD papers Search all Palliative & End-of-Life Distress trials Full LSD profile Full Palliative & End-of-Life Distress profile