Three Cases of Reported Improvement in Microsmia and Anosmia Following Naturalistic Use of Psilocybin and LSD.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate whether psychedelics, including LSD, could improve olfactory impairment (anosmia and microsmia) based on anecdotal reports.
Results Summary
The study reported one case where a woman with childhood anosmia experienced olfactory improvement after ingesting 100 µg of LSD, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for olfactory dysfunction. The abstract also discusses possible mechanisms like serotonergic effects and neuroplasticity.
Population
Individuals with olfactory impairment (anosmia or microsmia), including one case with childhood anosmia.
Effective Dosage
100 µg of LSD (single dose).
Duration
Single administration (duration not specified).
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 g of psilocybin containing mushrooms | increase | smell | a man who developed microsmia after a respiratory infection | - | experienced improvement | #1 |
100 µg of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) | increase | olfactory function | a woman with anosmia since childhood | - | reported olfactory improvement | #2 |
microdosing 0.1 g of psilocybin mushrooms three times | increase | olfactory function | a woman with COVID-19-related anosmia | - | reported olfactory improvement | #3 |
Cultural awareness of anosmia and microsmia has recently increased due to their association with COVID-19, though treatment for these conditions is limited. A growing body of online media claims that individuals have noticed improvement in anosmia and microsmia following classic psychedelic use. We report what we believe to be the first three cases recorded in the academic literature of improvement in olfactory impairment after psychedelic use. In the first case, a man who developed microsmia after a respiratory infection experienced improvement in smell after the use of 6 g of psilocybin containing mushrooms. In the second case, a woman with anosmia since childhood reported olfactory improvement after ingestion of 100 µg of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). In the third case, a woman with COVID-19-related anosmia reported olfactory improvement after microdosing 0.1 g of psilocybin mushrooms three times. Following a discussion of these cases, we explore potential mechanisms for psychedelic-facilitated improvement in olfactory impairment, including serotonergic effects, increased neuroplasticity, and anti-inflammatory effects. Given the need for novel treatments for olfactory dysfunction, increasing reports describing improvement in these conditions following psychedelic use and potential biological plausibility, we believe that the possible therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for these conditions deserve further investigation.