Reward-related neural activity after low doses of LSD in participants with depressed mood.
James Glazer, Hanna Molla, Royce Lee et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized, placebo-controlled study examined reward-related event-related potentials (ERPs) after low-dose LSD in participants with subclinical mild-to-moderate depressed mood (N = 20) and controls with minimal symptoms (N = 19). Participants received LSD (26 μg tartrate) and placebo in two sessions. Compared with placebo, LSD increased late positive potential (LPP) amplitude to loss versus win feedback only among participants with higher baseline depressed mood. This change was associated with more positive acute mood and lower depressed mood 48 hours after the LSD session. Across the full sample, LSD decreased feedback-P3 and LPP amplitude to reward versus neutral feedback.
Key findings
- LSD (26 μg tartrate), versus placebo, increased LPP amplitude to loss versus win feedback only in participants with higher baseline depressed mood.
- The LPP effect was associated with acute positive mood effects and lower depressed mood 48 hours after the LSD versus placebo session.
- Across the full sample, LSD decreased feedback-P3 and LPP amplitude to reward versus neutral feedback.
Why it matters
The findings link low-dose LSD exposure with altered neural responses to reward feedback in people reporting depressed mood, and with short-term mood measures. They offer a possible neurobiological signal relevant to LSD’s proposed antidepressant effects, while also showing that responses differed by baseline mood and by the type of feedback. The results are preliminary rather than evidence of clinical efficacy.
What to keep in mind
The study involved a small sample and assessed mood only during sessions and 48 hours afterward; the authors advise interpreting the findings with caution.