LSD, neuroplasticity and a new therapeutic approach

Fear tactics have been among the more effective tactics of the war on drugs and anti-drug propaganda for many years. Reports of negative reactions among users were a means of discouraging those interested in experimenting with substances like cannabis, psilocybin and LSD. In fact, the bad acid trip horror stories are so common that they’ve become a sort of urban legend in their own right. I remember my dad telling me stories of kids he grew up with who had a bad beating and were “never the same.” So what is the reality around LSD, its possible negative effects and more? The truth is a lot stranger than most would believe. Additionally, it points to a future where LSD will treat both psychiatric and physical problems. Today we will explore the world of LSD within Psychedelic Activated Therapy and Neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity: How our brain learns and develops

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to form, organize, and make connections between synapses, particularly related to things like learning, real-world experiences, or recovery from an illness or injury. It is also a term used to describe the brain’s overall ability to adapt to changes in the individual’s environment, manage its abilities, create memories, store information, and recover from injury.

There are certain mental health disorders that can disrupt the functioning of neuroplasticity in the brain.

Trauma can lead to anxiety, depression, or PTSD—these things can severely limit a person’s life, causing them to experience fewer things, prevent them from learning, or otherwise disrupt their life.
These things can also interfere with the brain’s ability to learn, disrupting the neuroplasticity process and limiting the number of synapses formed.

How does this relate to the use of LSD?

In recent years there has been some research that suggests that LSD may not only be beneficial for the treatment of various mental health disorders, but could also be a functional tool in both therapeutic applications and attempts to promote neuroregeneration and neuroplasticity .

Although still limited, the results so far are proving very promising.

In a study published by ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, titled “Low Doses of LSD Acutely Elevate Blood Plasma Levels of BDNF in Healthy Volunteers,” physicians gave subjects low doses of LSD ranging from 5 to 20 micrograms.

The scientists then collected blood samples every two hours for six hours and analyzed them using ELISA, or an enzyme-linked immunoassay (a type of laboratory test that detects antibodies in the blood).
ELISA tests revealed that shortly after ingesting LSD, blood plasma levels of BDNF in the brain increase (BDNF is a gene used to direct protein formation in the brain and spinal cord, called brain-derived neurotrophic factor ).

This process promotes the survival of nerve cells by allowing these cells to grow, mature, and be maintained. These increased BDNF could mean that LSD could provide an opportunity to increase the production of BDNF and ultimately increase neuron maintenance and brain neuroplasticity. The hypothesis suggests that repeated LSD ingestion may stabilize or promote BDNF levels in people with mental disorders, helping them to mediate their symptoms and function in daily life. However, is there direct evidence that LSD actively promotes neuroplasticity? At the time of writing, we can’t say for sure. But maybe we’ll know soon.

More evidence

A new one developed by the University of Friborg by Dr. Gregor Hasler-sponsored study examines the effects of LSD on the neuronal plasticity of healthy individuals, referred to in his work as LSD plasticity. Currently in its first phase, the study aims to explore how LSD alters the brain’s pathological processes and how this dysregulation of these processes can affect mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, or even aid in recovery from stroke or traumatic brain injury. Previous research suggests that the long-term effects of LSD may include increased neuroplasticity, a reduction in anxiety, and relief from mental health symptoms. The aim of the study is to examine the overall neuroplastic effects of LSD, whether it increases plasticity, how long these effects last, how they occur in the brain and the overall clinical potential and use of LSD in a clinical setting.

The study will enroll 40 participants in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study that will experiment with both low and high doses of LSD within a dosage range of 5 to 100 micrograms. The current expected completion date is February 1, 2024.

While we do not yet know if psychedelics will be the future of therapy and treatment for trauma and mental disorders, it is clear that the foundations are being laid by a new generation of scientists and health practitioners who recognize the value of these psychoactive substances.