Background

Microdosing psychedelic substances, particularly lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), has gained widespread attention on social media for its alleged benefits in managing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Despite public interest, scientific evidence supporting these claims remains limited.

Previous Research

An exploratory study in 2023 involved an online survey of individuals self-administering microdoses of LSD to manage ADHD symptoms. Participants were assessed at baseline, two weeks, and four weeks into their self-directed regimen. Some participants reported subjective improvements in ADHD symptoms and emotional expression. However, this study had several limitations:

• Non-randomized design with self-selected participants
• Data collected via internet-based self-reporting
• Significant dropout rate: 233 participants at baseline, but only 44 completed the 4-week assessment

Due to these methodological flaws, the findings are considered preliminary and not scientifically conclusive.

Recent Clinical Trial: Randomized Controlled Study (2025)

A major advancement in the field is the completion of the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating LSD microdosing for ADHD in adults, published in JAMA Psychiatry. The study was conducted across two sites: Basel, Switzerland and Nijmegen, Netherlands, with a total of 53 adult participants diagnosed with ADHD.

Methodology:

• Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
• Participants: 53 adults with clinically diagnosed ADHD
• Intervention: 12 microdoses of LSD administered twice weekly for six weeks
• Control: Placebo group received identical-appearing doses
• Blinding: Both participants and clinical assessors were blinded to treatment allocation

Results:

No significant difference in ADHD symptom improvement was observed between the LSD and placebo groups

The study was well-structured and ensured unbiased assessments

Due to the relatively small sample size, the study lacked statistical power to detect small to moderate effects; only large effects would have been detected

Conclusion

This initial high-quality clinical trial found no evidence to support the efficacy of LSD microdosing in reducing ADHD symptoms in adults. While the results do not rule out the possibility of minor effects, they suggest that any benefit, if present, is likely to be small. Larger-scale studies are necessary to draw more definitive conclusions.

Recommendations for Future Research

Conduct trials with larger sample sizes to improve statistical power

Explore varying dosages and longer treatment durations

Include cognitive and emotional outcomes in addition to core ADHD symptoms

Maintain rigorous randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind methodologies