How a very low dose of LSD and your expectations affect mood and behavior
Drug Effects on Mood and Behavior - Expectancy
EARLY_PHASE1 · University of Chicago · NCT07061886
Researchers will test whether a single very low (13 µg) dose of LSD versus placebo, and whether being told which you received, changes mood and behavior in healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | EARLY_PHASE1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 48 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Chicago (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Trial ID | NCT07061886 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This early-phase study gives healthy adult volunteers either a single low (13 µg) dose of LSD or a placebo and manipulates what participants are told about which substance they receive. Using a balanced-placebo style approach, some participants will be told they are getting the drug or placebo while others will remain blinded, allowing separation of pharmacological effects from expectancy effects. Behavioral and mood measures will be collected after administration to compare responses across the different expectancy and drug conditions. The work focuses on the microdosing context where small doses and strong prior beliefs may confound observed effects.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are healthy English-speaking adults with at least a high school education, a BMI of 19–30 kg/m2, and no current psychiatric medications or history of psychosis in themselves or a first-degree relative.
Not a fit: People with active psychiatric disorders, recent severe substance use disorder, current suicidal ideation, significant medical or cardiovascular conditions, or who are pregnant or planning pregnancy are unlikely to benefit and are excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could clarify whether very low doses of LSD have real effects on mood or behavior beyond what people expect, improving guidance around microdosing.
How similar studies have performed: Expectancy effects have been demonstrated for alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, stimulants, and cannabinoids, but controlled laboratory evidence specifically separating expectancy from pharmacology for microdoses of psychedelics is limited and results have been mixed.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * English Fluency * High school education or higher * BMI between 19-30 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals with a medical condition contraindicating study participation as determined by the study physician (e.g., liver disease, abnormal EKG, liver or cardiovascular disease) * High blood pressure (\>140/90) * Current suicidal ideation or suicide attempt in past 12 months * Past year severe substance use disorder * Personal or first-degree relative with history of psychosis * Currently taking any psychiatric medication (for conventional antidepressants must be off for ≥ 2 weeks) * Active panic disorder * Severe obsessive-compulsive disorder * Severe post-traumatic stress disorder * Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
Where this trial is running
Chicago, Illinois
- University of Chicago — Chicago, Illinois, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Hanna Molla — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Hanna Molla
- Email: hmolla@uchicago.edu
- Phone: 7737023560
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: LSD, Healthy Adults