The healing power of LSD

New research analyzing data from studies conducted between 1966 and 1970 suggests LSD may help alcoholics quit and remain sober.

In a study that appeared in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology took a fresh look at data from six different studies conducted in the United States and Canada, according to Health.com. The researchers concluded a single dose of the hallucinogen helped heavy alcoholics quit and reduced their risk of relapse. In addition, 59 percent of patients showed a clear improvement after receiving a full dose of LSD, compared to 38 percent of patients who did not take the drug. Study authors Teri Krebs and Pal-Orjan Johansen speculated the results were linked to LSD’s effect on serotonin receptors in the brain.

“LSD may stimulate the formation of new connections and patterns, and generally seems to open an individual to an awareness of new perspectives and opportunities for action,” wrote Krebs and Johansen.