Speaker Bio
Friederike Holze, PhD has been a member of the Psychopharmacology Research Group at the University Hospital Basel since 2017, after completing her Pharmacy studies at the University of Basel from 2011 to 2016. Her work, under the mentorship of Prof. Matthias E. Liechti, involves the detailed study of the pharmacology of psychoactive substances such as LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA.
Earning her PhD in 2021 for her work in this area, Dr. Holze has significantly contributed to the field through her research and publications. Her in-depth studies, have offered valuable insights to the clinical pharmacology of psychedelics. In the course of her research, Dr. Holze has also facilitated around 200 psychedelic experiences, which have further enhanced her comprehensive understanding of these substances.
Dr. Holze received several prizes for her research, including the prestigious NEATOR award from the ACNP for her study investigating the direct comparison between LSD and psilocybin in healthy individuals. Her commitment to understanding the effects of psychoactive compounds has significantly contributed to the field of psychedelics, offering valuable insights and aiding in the advancement of scientific knowledge.
ICPR 2024 Abstract
LSD-assisted therapy in patients with anxiety: a prospective 12-month follow-up
Objective
This study investigated the long-term safety and efficacy of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)-assisted therapy in patients who suffered from anxiety with or without life-threatening illness.
Methods
This study was an a priori-planned long-term follow-up of an investigator-initiated two-center trial that used a double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-period, random-order, crossover design with two sessions with either oral LSD (200 µg) or placebo per period. Patients (n=39) were followed up 1 year after the end-of-study visit of the original trial to assess symptoms of anxiety, depression, and long-term effects of psychedelics using Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory–Global (STAI-G), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Persisting Effects Questionnaire (PEQ), and measures of personality traits using the NEO-Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI).
Results
LSD-assisted treatment resulted in a long-lasting reduction of STAI-G scores at follow-up compared with baseline (least square means [95% confidence interval] = -21.6 [-32.7, -10.4], d=1.04, p<0.001, for those who received LSD in the first period [94 weeks after the last LSD treatment] and -16.5 [-26.2, -6.8], d=1.02, p<0.05, for those who received LSD in the second period [68 weeks after the last LSD treatment]). Similar effects were observed for comorbid depression with change from baseline BDI scores of -8.1 (-13.2, -3.1), d=0.71, p<0.01, and -8.9 (-12.9, -4.9), d=1.21, p<0.01, for the LSD-first and placebo-first groups, respectively. Personality trait neuroticism decreased (p<0.0001) and trait extraversion increased (p<0.01) compared with study inclusion. Patients attributed positive long-term effects to the psychedelic experience.
Conclusion
LSD-assisted therapy had sustained long-term effects in patients with anxiety disorders.