The Microdosing Dilemma: Is LSD a Viable Solution for Pain?
What question is this article answering?
This article looks at the conflicting evidence for the use of microdosing LSD as an analgesic, questioning whether tiny, non-hallucinogenic doses of the psychedelic can actually function as relief.
Synopsis
Microdosing—taking sub-perceptual doses of psychedelics—has become extremely trendy to get creative and alleviate anxiety, but whether or not it can serve as an analgesic is a matter of scientific debate. While other research suggests even low doses of LSD are pain-reducing, a new 2025 randomized controlled trial found that a 15 microgram dose was not effective at pain management. This article debunks the science, examines the conflicting results, and hypothesizes what the future holds for psychedelic pain relief.
A New Hope for Chronic Pain Sufferers?
Chronic pain is experienced by over 1.5 billion individuals globally, and for most, current treatments are ineffective or bring with them a myriad of unsavory side effects. The opioid epidemic has made it clear that there is an immediate need for alternative, non-addictive pain control treatments. In recent years, the focus has shifted to psychedelics, as numerous individuals have anecdotally reported benefitting from microdosing LSD or psilocybin for their chronic pain. But do the results in science support these anecdotes?
Research into the psychedelics and pain is nothing new. In the 1960s, research suggested that full-dose LSD could have extremely potent analgesic effects, but this line of research was cut short by the prohibition against psychedelic research. Now, in the psychedelic renaissance, scientists are revisiting this possibility but in the less intimidating and more accessible world of microdosing.
The Science of Psychedelic Pain Relief
The latest theory about how psychedelics might decrease pain is that they strongly affect the serotonin system, which is long-documented to be involved with pain modulation. Moreover, psychedelics are said to work by disrupting rigid neural circuits that become potentially hard-wired within the brain in response to chronic pain, a process that has also been described as a "neural reset." A 2023 review published in Neuropharmacology suggested psychedelic drugs could well be the "reset" that patients with chronic pain need [1].
Other work has produced promising findings. In a 2020 paper in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, a low dose of LSD (20 micrograms) decreased perception of pain and increased tolerance to pain in healthy volunteers [2]. The authors concluded this showed evidence of a long-lasting analgesic effect at a dose so low it failed to induce an even psychedelic experience. This, and other research, has put the hope out there that microdosing could be an efficacious clinical tool.
A Shot of Reality: The 15 Microgram Study
But it's not over. A 2025 randomized, placebo-controlled trial—the holy grail of clinical trials—kicked sand in the face of hype. The study, which ascertained if a dose of 15 micrograms of LSD had an effect on pain perception, witnessed no notable analgesic effect compared to a placebo [3]. The authors concluded that, at this dosage, LSD was not an effective painkiller. This finding has presented scientists with a puzzle: if 20 micrograms is effective, then why is 15 micrograms not effective? Is there some threshold dosage which has to be achieved in order for the analgesic effects to become active?
This discrepancy highlights the multidimensional character of psychedelic research and the many variables that may influence outcomes. Some other possible explanations would be that the analgesic effects of LSD are very dose-dependent, or that some other factor, such as type of pain being measured or an individual's unique physiology, is a significant influence. A 2024 review of microdosing research underscored that though the practice seems generally safe, its impact is frequently subtle and very variable [4].
The Future of Psychedelic Pain Relief
So what's the bottom line? The jury is still out regarding whether LSD microdosing is an effective pain treatment. While the 15 microgram trial may be seen as a letdown, it is also a valuable piece of the scientific puzzle. It underlines the need for more research to determine the right doses and regimens for psychedelic pain relief. It is possible that minuscule increments above the current sub-psychedelic doses are required, or that microdosing could be more effective for certain types of pain than others.
As the research goes on, it is important to enter into the subject with a critical eye and an unbiased respect for empirical evidence and not for unproven anecdote. The therapeutic potential of psychedelics to change the nature of pain relief is great, but only by detailed and systematic research will we fully be able to realize their potential.
References
[1] Zia, F. Z., et al. (2023). Are psychedelic medicines the reset for chronic pain? Neuropharmacology, 229, 109481. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028390823001181
[2] Ramaekers, J. G., et al. (2021). A low dose of lysergic acid diethylamide decreases pain perception in healthy volunteers. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 35(4), 399-405. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0269881120940937
[3] Cavarra, M., et al. (2025). A randomised placebo-controlled study of the effects of lysergic acid diethylamide microdosing (15 μg) on pain perception in healthy volunteers. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20494637251371626
[4] Murphy, R. J., et al. (2024). Microdosing Psychedelics: Current Evidence From Controlled Studies. Biological Psychiatry. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451902224000156
Disclaimer: Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy has not been approved by any regulatory agencies in the United States, and the safety and efficacy are still not formally established at the time of this writing.