# Psychedelics as Novel Therapeutics for Chronic Pain in Veterinary Medicine: A Hypothesis-Driven Protocol Using Low-Dose 1-Cyclopropionyl-D-lysergic Acid Diethylamide (1cp-LSD) in Canine Osteoarthritis

## TL;DR

This study explores using low-dose 1cp-LSD, a legal LSD analog, to manage chronic pain in dogs with osteoarthritis, aiming to improve their quality of life.

## Contribution

The protocol introduces psychedelics as a novel therapeutic approach for canine osteoarthritis pain, combining pharmacological and psychological factors.

## Key findings

- A pilot trial is planned to assess the safety and potential pain-reducing effects of low-dose 1cp-LSD in dogs with osteoarthritis.
- The study will examine how caregiver expectations might influence reported outcomes, potentially indicating placebo effects.
- The protocol addresses limitations like small cohort size and variability in caregiver perceptions through descriptive analysis.

## Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a common condition in dogs that causes chronic pain and reduces quality of life. Current treatments often provide incomplete relief, highlighting the need for novel approaches. This study protocol proposes to explore the potential of psychedelics as an adjunctive strategy for managing pain in dogs with osteoarthritis. Dogs would receive small, intermittent doses of 1-cyclopropionyl-D-lysergic acid diethylamide (1cp-LSD), a legal LSD analog in certain countries, over a one-month period, while continuing their standard pain management treatments. Caregivers would report on their pets’ pain and well-being using structured questionnaires, which also capture expectations regarding the treatment. This study protocol aims to evaluate whether low-dose 1cp-LSD could reduce pain, and to understand how caregivers’ expectations might influence their perception of their pets’ condition. The planned pilot trial is expected to provide preliminary insights into the safety and potential benefits of this approach, while identifying factors that could affect caregiver-reported outcomes. Ultimately, this protocol could help guide future research into innovative treatments for chronic pain in companion animals, contributing to better veterinary care and animal welfare.

Low-dose psychedelics have shown potential in modulating chronic pain in humans, yet their application in veterinary medicine remains unexplored. This study protocol proposes to investigate the therapeutic potential of low-dose oral administration of 1-cyclopropionyl-D-lysergic acid diethylamide (1cp-LSD), a legal LSD analogue in certain countries, for the management of chronic pain in privately owned dogs with osteoarthritis. The study will employ a randomized, placebo-controlled design with caregivers blinded to treatment allocation. A cohort of about 24 dogs previously diagnosed with osteoarthritis, will orally receive sub-perceptual, intermittent doses of 1cp-LSD over a 30-day period, while maintaining their standard analgesic regimens to safeguard animal welfare. Outcome measures will include the Canine Brief Pain Inventory and caregiver-reported assessments, including the Treatment Expectation Questionnaire (TEX-Q), to evaluate both pharmacological efficacy and the influence of caregiver expectations as an indirect indicator of placebo effects as a secondary aim. The study anticipates a reduction in pain scores among treated dogs, potentially modulated by caregiver expectations. However, the sustained effect of 1cp-LSD in osteoarthritis remains uncertain due to interactions with inflammatory mediators. Limitations include the lack of established dose–response relationships, small cohort size, and variability in caregiver perceptions, which will be analyzed descriptively. The protocol establishes a comprehensive and methodologically framework to evaluate both the pharmacological therapeutic effects of low-dose psychedelics in managing chronic osteoarthritic pain and the psychological factors that may influence perceived outcomes.