LSD trial aims to ease End-of-Life distress

NCT ID NCT05883540

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether low or moderate doses of LSD can reduce anxiety, pain, and depression in people with advanced or terminal illnesses. Sixty participants will receive either two moderate doses or two very low (placebo-like) doses of LSD in a double-blind setup. The goal is to see if LSD can improve psychological well-being and quality of life during palliative care.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a new way to reduce anxiety and improve quality of life for people with terminal illnesses.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 60 participants. The effects may be modest or not better than placebo, and LSD can cause psychological distress in some people.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety anxiety disorder Caregiver Burden Depression depressive disorder Necrophobia Pain

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ANXIETY CAREGIVER BURDEN DEMORALIZATION DEPRESSION EXISTENTIAL DISTRESS FEAR OF DEATH PAIN PALLIATIVE CARE PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS QUALITY OF LIFE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Spital Uster AG, Division of Internal Medicine
RECRUITING

Uster, 8610, Switzerland
University Hospital Basel, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
RECRUITING

Basel, 4031, Switzerland
University Hospital Geneva, Palliative medicine department
RECRUITING

Collonge-Bellerive, 1245, Switzerland
University Hospital Zurich, Clinic for Radio-Oncology, Competence Centre Palliative Care
RECRUITING

Zurich, Switzerland

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