Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a chronic and excessive form of anxiety, disproportionate to actual events. It interferes with concentration, decision-making, work, and social interactions, causing fatigue, irritability, and secondary depression. Physical symptoms include muscle tension, rapid breathing, insomnia, headaches, and cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems. Medications such as Zoloft and Paxil are commonly used for treatment, but they are often ineffective.
Neuroscientist Jennifer Mitchell of the University of California, San Francisco, leads research into innovative treatments for mental disorders. She has proposed using MM120, a pharmaceutical form of LSD, which may help those who find standard medications ineffective.
MM120 works by stimulating neuroplasticity and enhancing communication between brain regions. This helps overcome the rigid thought patterns that underlie GAD and helps change emotional responses. As a result, patients are better able to cope with anxiety.
In a clinical trial of 200 participants with moderate to severe GAD, a single dose of MM120 reduced symptoms by 5-6 points on the anxiety scale over 12 weeks. In some cases, moderate GAD was reclassified as mild.
Side effects were generally mild to moderate, including hallucinations, visual disturbances, nausea, and headache. They occurred more frequently at the maximum dose, which was subsequently avoided. Medical staff closely monitored the participants, and preventative measures such as a light breakfast and antiemetic medications reduced nausea.
The main challenge of such studies is recruiting participants. People with severe GAD often avoid leaving their homes, making them difficult candidates for experiments. Selection is conducted by highly qualified specialists who observe body language and build trusting relationships so that participants can safely and openly interact with the researchers.
