Breakthrough in Anxiety Care: LSD-Based Treatment Shows Lasting Relief in New Clinical Trial

A New Era in Anxiety Treatment

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most common yet debilitating mental health conditions, affecting millions of adults. For many, traditional treatments such as SSRIs or therapy alone don’t provide adequate relief.

Now, an innovative approach is offering new hope:

a single dose of MM120, a medication derived from LSD (lysergide D-tartrate), has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety

— and keep symptoms at bay for months.

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What the Study Found

In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind Phase 2b trial, nearly 200 adults with moderate-to-severe GAD received either MM120 (in doses ranging from 25–200 µg) or placebo.

• The 100 µg dose stood out, with 65% of participants experiencing a 50% or greater reduction in anxiety at 12 weeks.

• Nearly 50% achieved full remission (HAM-A score ≤ 7).

• Participants also reported significant improvement in depressive symptoms as early as one week post-treatment.

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What the Treatment Experience Looks Like

MM120 was administered as an orally disintegrating tablet in a carefully controlled clinical setting. Participants spent the entire day in a supportive environment with trained monitors (called Dosing Session Monitors) who offered education, reassurance, and safety oversight.

During the session, more than 90% of participants at the 100 µg dose reported visual perceptual changes — illusions, pseudo-hallucinations, or mild hallucinations — which were expected and considered part of the therapeutic experience. These effects typically lasted several hours and gradually subsided by the end of the monitoring period.

No psychotherapy or talk therapy was provided during dosing. Participants were instead encouraged to relax, use eyeshades, listen to music, and allow the experience to unfold. They remained under observation for at least 12 hours until effects had fully resolved.

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Safety & Side Effects

Most participants reported mild to moderate effects such as perceptual changes, nausea, or headache. No signals of suicidality were detected, and the 100 µg dose was chosen as the “sweet spot,” offering strong benefit with fewer adverse effects than the higher dose.

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Why This Matters

Unlike existing treatments that require daily medication or ongoing therapy, MM120 may offer a one-time intervention that provides durable relief. If these results are replicated in Phase 3 trials, this could represent a paradigm shift in the way we treat anxiety disorders.

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Looking Ahead

Three Phase 3 trials — Voyage, Panorama, and Emerge — are underway, with results expected in 2026. These will determine whether MM120 moves closer to FDA approval.

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At Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry, we are committed to staying on the forefront of innovative mental health treatments — from TMS therapy and Spravato to emerging psychedelic-assisted therapies. We are watching this research closely and look forward to the day when options like MM120 may be safely integrated into clinical practice.

Are you exploring your options for anxiety treatment in Philly?

Start by filling out the form below, and we’ll connect to discuss supportive, evidence-based options — from TMS therapy to ketamine therapy — and choose the right path for you.