Low Doses of LSD Acutely Increase BDNF Blood Plasma Levels in Healthy Volunteers

Abstract

Despite preclinical evidence for psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity, confirmation in humans is grossly lacking. Given the increased interest in using low doses of psychedelics for psychiatric indications and the importance of neuroplasticity in the therapeutic response, this placebo-controlled within-subject study investigated the effect of single low doses of LSD (5, 10, and 20 μg) on circulating BDNF levels in healthy volunteers. Blood samples were collected every 2 h over 6 h, and BDNF levels were determined afterward in blood plasma using ELISA. The findings demonstrated an increase in BDNF blood plasma levels at 4 h (5 μg) and 6 h (5 and 20 μg) compared to that for the placebo. The finding that LSD acutely increases BDNF levels warrants studies in patient populations.

Figure 1

Total mean AUC (SEM) of BDNF (A) and of LSD (B) plasma levels for complete WS LSD dose-placebo cases. N(5 μg LSD) = 10; N(10 μg LSD) = 9; N(20 μg LSD) = 8. *, statistical significance at p ≤ 0.05.

Figure 2

Mean (SEM) BDNF plasma levels for each LSD dose with the corresponding WS placebo condition per time of testing (A–C) and corresponding mean (SEM) LSD plasma levels (D–F). *, statistical significance at p ≤ 0.05 in A–C; no statistical tests were performed over data in D–F.