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PD Dr. med. Yasmin Schmid

Department of Clinical Research
Profiles & Affiliations

Psychopharmacology of serotonergic psychedelics

Our research focuses on exploring the mechanisms of action and underlying mechanisms of psychoactive substances in healthy subjects, with a current emphasis on classic serotonergic psychedelics. In addition, we investigate the efficacy and safety of these substances in early Phase II studies, in which we treat patients with various psychiatric and somatic diseases. This comprehensive approach allows us to dissect the pharmacological effects of psychedelics from a multi-dimensional perspective, encompassing neurobiological, psychological, and therapeutic dimensions.

Selected Publications

Schmid Y, Gasser P., Oehen P, & Liechti M.E. (2021). Acute subjective effects in LSD- and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 35(4), 362–374. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881120959604

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Schmid Y. (2020). Psychedelika in der Behandlung von Cluster-Kopfschmerzen.

Schmid, Yasmin, & Liechti, Matthias E. (2018). Long-lasting subjective effects of LSD in normal subjects. Psychopharmacology, 235(2), 535–545. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-017-4733-3

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Liechti, Matthias E., Dolder, Patrick C., & Schmid, Yasmin. (2017). Alterations of consciousness and mystical-type experiences after acute LSD in humans. Psychopharmacology, 234(9-10), 1499–1510. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-016-4453-0

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Schmid, Yasmin, Vizeli, Patrick, Hysek, Cédric M., Prestin, Katharina, Meyer Zu Schwabedissen, Henriette E., & Liechti, Matthias E. (2016). CYP2D6 function moderates the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of 3,4-methylene-dioxymethamphetamine in a controlled study in healthy individuals. Pharmacogenetics and Genomics, 26, 397–401. https://doi.org/10.1097/fpc.0000000000000231

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Selected Projects & Collaborations

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Safety and efficacy of LSD as treatment for cluster headache: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II study

Research Project  | 1 Project Members

Cluster headache (CH) is often rated as the most painful of all primary headaches, which not only causes significant disability, but is also associated with enormous personal, economic, and psychiatric burden. At the moment, there is no specific treatment available for CH, but serotonergic compounds represent an important drug class, especially in the abortive management of cluster attacks. However, there is a need for new treatment approaches, as CH is also often insufficiently managed with available medication. This study will evaluate the potential benefit and safety of a treatment with LSD (pulse regimen) for patients with CH.

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Psychological, physiological, endocrine, and pharmacokinetic effects of LSD in a controlled study

Research Project  | 2 Project Members

Background: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is the prototype hallucinogen used recreationally worldwide. In the 50-70s, LSD was also used to study psychotic-like states in normals ("model psychosis") and in "psycholytic psychotherapy". Clinical research using LSD has been prohibited in most countries over the last 30 years and there is now a renewed interest in the pharmacology of this substance. Potential research and therapeutic uses of LSD are now re-recognized and may include its use in brain research, treatment of cluster headache, and aid in psychotherapy and in terminally ill patients. Recently, a first placebo-controlled study in patients suffering from anxiety associated with advanced-stage life threatening diseases has been completed in Switzerland. However, most initial studies conducted with LSD do not meet todays' research standards and many effects of the substance including those on the endocrine system and the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship are unknown. Study aim: To characterize the acute psychological, physiological, endocrine, and pharmacokinetic, as well as long-term psychological effects of LSD in humans (psychotherapists). Methods: Placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized two-phase cross-over study to test the effects of LSD (200 mg) or placebo in 16 well-educated middle aged healthy human subjects. Outcome measures of acute effects will include: validated psychometric tests, physiological effects, neuroendocrine measures, plasma concentration-time profiles of LSD, and adverse effects. Additionally, long-term psychological effects of LSD will be assessed 1 and 12 months after the experience. Significance. LSD is the most famous psychedelic substance. LSD is continued to be used recreationally. There is also a professional need for more clinical data on its role in experimental research and possible therapeutic applications (headache, psychotherapy, palliative medicine). This would be the first placebo-controlled and methodologically sound evaluation of the pharmacological and long-term psychological effects of LSD in humans. In addition, the endocrine effects of LSD are unknown. A better and contemporary understanding of the pharmacology of LSD is important in the light of its widespread recreational and potential scientific uses. The study will provide a first and solid account of the clinical pharmacological characteristics of the drug that are very likely to form a basis for further studies. Such ensuing experimental work in the near future may include the use of LSD in a psychotherapeutic setting in professional therapists as participants and a functional magnetic resonance imaging study to define the neuronal correlates of the effects of LSD.