LSD pain relief: Clinical study reveals hidden benefits of LSD

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• February 26, 2022

Insight summary

Recent research has shed light on the potential of LSD, a psychedelic compound, as a non-addictive alternative for pain management. The study found that a specific microdose of LSD significantly reduced pain perception, with effects lasting up to five hours, and did not interfere with daily functioning. This discovery could reshape chronic pain treatment, influence pharmaceutical industry trends, and require governments to balance public health benefits with potential risks through careful policy-making.

LSD context

More than 60 years after the heyday of the psychedelic movement, researchers have started uncovering the benefits of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) that transcend the mind-altering, psychedelic states the drug was commonly used for. The results of a clinical study conducted by the Beckley Foundation, in collaboration with researchers from Maastricht University, published in August 2020, have shown that low doses of the psychedelic compound LSD may provide a viable, non-addictive alternative to pain management.

The study was conducted with 24 healthy volunteers who received single microdoses of 5, 10 and 20 micrograms of LSD, or a placebo, rather than larger, actively psychedelic doses. The subjects then placed their hands in nearly freezing water, and the longer they were able to keep their hands submerged, the better their pain tolerance was determined to be. The study consistently showed that a 20-microgram dose of LSD significantly reduced pain perception compared to the placebo, even though lower doses did not have the same effect.

The analgesic effects observed were equally strong up to five hours after administering LSD, indicating that a 20-microgram dose may have a longer-lasting halo effect on pain management. The results also suggested that the level of psychological and cognitive interference produced by a 20-microgram dose of LSD is very mild and not expected to interfere with normal daily functioning.

Disruptive impact

The potential of LSD as a pain reliever could offer an alternative to traditional painkillers like opioids, which are known for their addictive properties and severe withdrawal symptoms. If LSD can provide comparable pain relief without these drawbacks, it could change the way we manage chronic pain, leading to improved patient outcomes and a decrease in the societal costs associated with opioid addiction.

From a business perspective, the development and commercialization of LSD-based pain treatments could open up new markets in the pharmaceutical industry. Companies that can navigate the regulatory landscape and bring these treatments to market could stand to benefit significantly. However, this also presents challenges. Strict regulations would be needed to prevent misuse and ensure patient safety. These policies could mean significant investment in research and development, as well as in systems to monitor and control distribution.

For governments, the potential use of LSD for pain relief could help address public health issues related to chronic pain and opioid addiction. However, it would require careful policy-making to balance the potential benefits with the risks. These measures could include developing new regulations, investing in research to understand the long-term effects of LSD use, and educating both healthcare providers and the public about the safe use of these treatments. 

Implications of LSD pain relief

Wider implications of using LSD for pain relief may include:

• Significant consumer awareness and education around the beneficial uses of LSD in an effort to generate demand for its medical applications. Also, the societal stigma associated with the historical, recreational use of LSD may become moderated. 
• A broad spectrum of potentially addictive, prescription pain medication gradually losing market share to micro-dosing with LSD. 
• The increased availability and uptake of LSD spurring the increased illicit use of LSD for traditional recreational purposes among youth culture.
• A change in employment trends in the healthcare sector, with a higher demand for professionals trained in administering and monitoring psychedelic therapies.
• Changes in law enforcement and judicial practices, with a decrease in penalties for LSD possession and use, leading to a reduction in prison populations and associated costs.
• Advancements in tracking and monitoring systems, leading to improved safety and accountability in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Questions to consider

• Given that LSD is considered a semisynthetic drug—derived from a naturally occurring compound found in rye seeds extracted through a chemical process—do you think it offers patients an improved option to manage pain than more widely available pharmaceutical drugs?
• Do you think the potential legalization of psychedelic drugs, and LSD in particular, will contribute to greater drug use and abuse in society? Would more education and accessibility to LSD pave the way for societal acceptance?