Clinical TrialLSDCompleted

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

Open-label, single-dose clinical series (Psychiatry Quarterly, 1967; Kast E) at an unspecified US centre. Participants (n=128) were pre-terminal patients with metastatic malignant disease and an anticipated survival of one to two months; full diagnostic, age, and sex breakdown not reported in available methods extract. Intervention: single oral dose of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD); dose not specified in extract. Setting: clinical; no placebo or control arm. Primary focus: reduction of anticipatory anxiety ("attenuation of anticipation") and psychological distress during the terminal phase. No trial registry; pre-dates any formal registration requirement. No randomisation.

Target Enrollment
128 participants
Study Type
interventional
Design
Non-randomized

Study Arms & Interventions

LSD 100mcg

experimental

Single dose of 100 mcg lysergic acid diethylamide administered following breakfast in pre-terminal cancer patients.

Interventions

  • LSD100 mcg
    via oral• single dose• 1 doses total

    Administered following breakfast; study was open-label and non-double-blind.

Baseline Observation

no intervention

One-week observation period prior to LSD administration used as a baseline.

Primary Results(1 publication)

Participants

N = 128Mean age: 53 across armsE. et al. 1967 →

Pain intensity

Score at Timepoint

LSD 100mcg—Day 0.125·E. et al. 1967 →
LSD 100mcg—Day 21·E. et al. 1967 →

Depression (Affective changes)

Score at Timepoint

LSD 100mcg—Day 0.125·E. et al. 1967 →

Approach to illness and death

Score at Timepoint

LSD 100mcg—Day 0.125·E. et al. 1967 →

Sleep patterns

Score at Timepoint

LSD 100mcg—Day 1·E. et al. 1967 →

Visual distortions and hallucinations

Score at Timepoint

LSD 100mcg—Day 0.25·E. et al. 1967 →

Fear and panic reaction

Score at Timepoint

LSD 100mcg—Day 0.25·E. et al. 1967 →

Response Rates

experienced visual distortions

75/128(58.6%)·E. et al. 1967 →

experienced panic

7/128(5.5%)·E. et al. 1967 →

experienced mild anxiety reactions

42/128(32.8%)·E. et al. 1967 →

Adverse Events (from all publications)

Arm / GroupnAny TEAESevereSeriousDiscont.
LSD 100mcgexperimental128——0(0.0%)—
Baseline Observationno_intervention128————

* TEAESI includes 7 patients with panic and 42 with mild anxiety reactions (fear/panic reaction category). The paper states 'not one patient... had any adverse medical reaction' and 'the administration of LSD was universally well tolerated'.

* The paper reports six deaths among the patients under observation during the baseline period.

Study Details

  • Status
    Completed
  • Type
    interventional
  • Design
    Non-randomized
  • Target Enrollment128 participants
  • Timeline
    Start: 1966-01-01
    End: 1967-01-01
  • Compound
    LSD

Related Publications

Attenuation and anticipation: A therapeutic use of lysergic acid diethylamide

Published
Authors
Kast, E.

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