The latest was ketamine now LSD again to treat psychiatric maladies. This sort of junk science harms people particularly when there are effective treatments available. Here is the article:

An early trial with about 200 people tested the effects of LSD on generalized anxiety disorder and found promising results.








a woman in colorful psychedelic lighting
LSD is being tested as a potential treatment for anxiety, both in combination with therapy and on its own. (Image credit: Tatiana Maksimova via Getty Images)
A single dose of the psychedelic drug LSD may ease generalized anxiety disorder for months, a clinical trial has found.

The trial results, published Thursday (Sept. 4) in JAMA, include data from 194 people with moderate to severe anxiety across the U.S. The study compared these participants' responses to different doses of LSD against a placebo treatment. It found that the drug alleviated symptoms in many patients for at least three months after just one exposure.

That said, participants who were given low doses of LSD — either 25 or 50 micrograms — did not see a significant change in their symptoms. The effect kicked in only at higher doses — either 100 or 200 micrograms — and those given 100-microgram doses had the best results.



"This work has the potential to make significant contributions to the emerging field of psychedelic drug research," Dr. Claudio Soares, a professor of psychiatry at the Queen's University School of Medicine in Ontario, wrote in a commentary about the trial. It's the first study to examine how different doses of LSD compare with a placebo for relieving anxiety. In addition, the trial didn't explicitly incorporate psychotherapy into the treatment, meaning it could help pin down whether LSD in and of itself has an anti-anxiety effect, he added.

"Furthermore, the study highlighted an early response to treatment and positive effects on comorbid depressive symptoms, both of which are promising findings that should guide future trials," Soares said.
An early trial with about 200 people tested the effects of LSD on generalized anxiety disorder and found promising results.









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In fact, 12 weeks out from treatment, about 47% of the people who were given 100 micrograms were in remission, based on a standardized anxiety rating scale. And about 65% of the people in that group saw their scores on the scale fall by at least half. By comparison, only about 20% of the placebo group was in remission at the 12-week mark and about 30% saw their scores halved.

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LINK https://www.livescience.com/he...r-months-trial-finds

I think there was a lot of research on LSD in the 60's.
Some officially and much not.

quote:

The latest was ketamine now LSD again to treat psychiatric maladies.

No, we don't need LSD again.



Sound facetious? Not entirely.

What particularly makes it junk science in your opinion?

Lacks scientific rigor. Provides an excuse for addicts and more importantly teens to use. I have seen enough folks with literal holes in their heads from use. Psychotic episodes are rather frequent after just one dose.
I saw Dr. Timothy Leariy in person when he came to give a lecture. Formerly a briliant psychologist at Harvard his speech made little sense.

I don’t know about LSD specifically, but there’s considerable support in the combat veteran community for the use of psychedelics in treating PTS. I doubt that there have been rigorous scientific studies, but there appears to be significant anecdotal evidence, e.g. former SEAL and CIA contractor, Shawn Ryan, that their use can be beneficial. I certainly don’t know.

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Originally posted by 220-9er:
I think there was a lot of research on LSD in the 60's.
Some officially and much not.

Yes. I was there and in full participation of this unofficial "research." Never did me any harm, but I doubt the wisdom of using it to treat "anxiety." IIRC, it basically magnified the particular state of mind of an individual, if you were of a paranoid persuasion, it made you more so, if you were a happy person, it made you more so. I do think that it facilitates a certain amount of introspection, mostly for the betterment of the user.

That said, it is a powerful drug and should not be used/disseminated indiscriminately, definitely too potentially harmful to be used recreationally. In the current "give the patient whatever they ask for" mindset of many doctors, I'm not sure that it should be prescribed either.

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but there’s considerable support in the combat veteran community for the use of psychedelics in treating PTS

In 1969 at Ft Bragg 3 of my unit popped LSD on a Sunday afternoon and 1 was taken to Womack. He took a dive out the hospital window from the top floor.

I am with you on the skepticism.

However Shawn Ryan credits psychedelics for treating PTSD and sobriety. He has an episode with Peter Berg they discuss it in length. I don’t believe LSD wasnt the psychedelic being discussed.

Low dose ketamine is a game changer for pain control for inpatient trauma patients, particularly those with a substance abuse history. I’m not so sure about LSD.

quote:

Originally posted by Anush:

quote:

but there’s considerable support in the combat veteran community for the use of psychedelics in treating PTS

In 1969 at Ft Bragg 3 of my unit popped LSD on a Sunday afternoon and 1 was taken to Womack. He took a dive out the hospital window from the top floor.

You reckon there might be a difference somewhere between the stuff cooked up in some rando's basement and the stuff administered and supervised by a doctor?

I can't speak to its ability to treaty psychological conditions. I can imagine that psychological conditions brought about by subjecting the human mind of intense shock might, perhaps, be reset in some way, by subjecting the human mind to a different set of (controlled?) intense neurological shock. That said, I do believe that these drugs do blast the mind in a way that carries risk.

For those who believe that a chemically induced storm within their mind, and the perceptions of other realities that they falsely perceive are somehow real,.. I just find that delusion inexplicable.

I’m not surprised, psychedelics are being touted as cure alls for everything from PTSD to drug and alcohol addiction. I am very skeptical about it and would be reluctant to try it myself.

A friend is an MD/Marine who now treats PTSD w. Ketamine.

He thinks many ketamine “docs” are just selling dope, but is a huge believer in what it does for PTSD.

Couldn’t edit for some reason.

To clarify, he said it takes about 3 weeks of regular treatments, and not a high enough dose to intoxicate, to reset the biological side of PTSD.

^^^^^^^^^^
I am glad that some of our vets benefit from ketamine and LSD. Psychotherapy once per week visits with a clinical psychologist works but often takes a year of weekly visits. There are no simple solutions to this problem. Proper diagnosis is essential. Being that we are Americans and want a quick fix ketamine or LSD fits that bill.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
I think there was a lot of research on LSD in the 60's.
Some officially and much not.

There was a lot of testing done in the late 70's too. Lots of blotter.