Can LSD actually treat depression and anxiety?

The answer

In 2025, research on psychedelic-assisted therapy reached a turning point as studies confirmed that LSD can effectively relieve anxiety and depression in controlled clinical settings. But the real breakthrough came from modified LSD-like molecules called 'psychoplastogens' - compounds that retain the therapeutic neural signaling (promoting new synaptic connections and neural plasticity) while dramatically reducing hallucinogenic effects. This means patients could potentially take a pill that rewires depression-related brain circuits without experiencing a 12-hour psychedelic trip. Multiple pharmaceutical companies are advancing psychoplastogen compounds through clinical trials, with some targeting FDA approval by 2027. The approach could transform mental health treatment for the estimated 280 million people worldwide living with depression.