LSD MM120 yields durable GAD relief at 100 mcg in phase 2b trial

A single 100 microgram dose of a pharmaceutical formulation of LSD reduced symptoms of moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder for weeks in a midstage clinical trial, researchers reported, a finding that could prompt larger trials and steps toward regulatory review. The phase 2b study, led by biotech company MindMed and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, tested four doses of an optimized dissolvable LSD tablet, called MM120, in nearly 200 adults with GAD and found the 100 microgram dose produced the clearest and most durable benefit through 12 weeks.

Participants aged 18 to 74 were randomly assigned to single doses of 25, 50, 100 or 200 micrograms or to placebo, delivered under professional supervision without accompanying psychotherapy. Anxiety was assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and clinicians rated severity with the Clinical Global Impression Severity scale. Researchers reported that people given 100 micrograms showed a rapid improvement apparent after one day that persisted to week 12. On average CGI-S scores in that group improved from 4.8, characterized as markedly ill, to 2.2, borderline ill, by week 12, compared with a...