A significant study conducted at Spain’s Universidad de las Palmas de Gran Canaria, published in Veterinary Research Communications, has revealed a groundbreaking treatment for dogs with anxiety. Researchers found that a low dose of LSD can serve as a safe treatment for dogs, showing no adverse side effects. This psychedelic compound has emerged as a promising option for addressing anxiety issues in dogs, particularly those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. Specifically, a low dose of 1cp-LSD may effectively alleviate anxiety symptoms and help calm affected dogs.
Promising Outcomes for Treating Dog Anxiety
The study centered on a 13-year-old dog named Lola, who faced severe separation anxiety. Lola exhibited distress and destructive behaviors, such as excessive barking, due to her extreme anxiety. After administering the psychedelic drug, she was monitored for over five hours, during which she encountered typical anxiety triggers, including her owners leaving her.
Dogs with separation anxiety often experience profound fear and anxiety when apart from their owners. Remarkably, Lola’s behavior showed a substantial improvement just two hours after receiving the drug. She appeared much calmer, even in anxiety-provoking scenarios like her owners’ departure, and did not display her usual anxious barking.
What distinguishes this psychedelic treatment is the complete absence of side effects in Lola. Notably, she did not experience any psychedelic effects, indicating that the treatment is effective without altering her mental state as such drugs typically do in humans. The study confirmed that Lola did not encounter any harmful side effects and returned to her normal behavior after five hours.
This breakthrough presents new avenues for treating canine anxiety. Conventional medications such as antidepressants and benzodiazepines often fall short and may carry adverse side effects. With nearly 20% of dogs, especially those with separation anxiety, suffering from anxiety, there is an increasing demand for effective treatment options that minimize potential side effects.
