Immunological Consequences of In Vitro Exposure to Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)

Abstract

The ability of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) to alter immune function after direct in vitro exposure was examined. It was demonstrated that LSD is able to suppress the proliferation of B-lymphocytes; the production of the cytokines IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6; and the induction of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes at a concentration of 100 μM. In vitro exposure to LSD had differential effects on natural killer (NK) cell activity, with significant enhancement of both basal and IL-2-augmented NK cell function at concentrations between 0.0001 and 0.1 μM, and suppression of NK response at 100 μM. These results demonstrate that LSD may have a direct effect on components of the immune system at concentrations that may be reached upon human exposure.