Journal of Psychopharmacology
June 7, 2022
Emma I Kopra, Jason Ferris, James Rucker et al.
42 citations
Among 10,293 people who used LSD in the past year, 1.0% sought emergency medical treatment, with a per-event risk of 0.2%. Younger age, mental health conditions, and more frequent use increased that risk. Most adverse reactions were psychological—anxiety, panic, confusion—often linked to poor setting or mindset. Symptoms usually resolved within 24 hours, though 11 people had issues lasting beyond 4 weeks. LSD appears relatively safe in recreational settings; adverse effects are typically short-lived and psychological. In clinical contexts, screening, preparation, and supervision should further reduce risks.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry
January 10, 2025
Emma I Kopra, Jenni Penttinen, James J Rucker et al.
9 citations
Between 1997 and 2022, only 28 deaths in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland involved psychedelic drugs, with 75% directly implicated and 25% potentially implicated. Most deaths were accidental (86%), involved multiple drugs (68%), and occurred in people under 30 (82%). The most common psychedelics were LSD (39%), psilocybin (21%), and NBOMes (18%). Polysubstance use was the most frequent contributing factor (82% of cases), followed by unsafe physical environments. While psychedelic-related deaths are very rare compared to other recreational drugs, their unpredictable effects create unique risks, often compounded by polydrug use.
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
May 20, 2022
Caroline S Copeland, Simon Hudson, Ric Treble et al.
9 citations
The dissociative hallucinogen 3-MeO-PCP, a phencyclidine derivative, can cause severe psychological agitation and life-threatening cardiorespiratory effects. The United Nations classified it as a Schedule II substance in 2021. This report describes the first UK fatality solely attributable to 3-MeO-PCP intoxication, adding to 15 previous fatal cases worldwide. The authors note that blood concentrations associated with toxicity remain uncertain but provide detailed sample information to aid future interpretation. They suggest that exercise may worsen toxicity, cautioning against use as a club drug where elevated heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure are likely.
Journal of Psychopharmacology
September 29, 2025
Jade Pullen, John Corkery, Rebecca Mcknight et al.
3 citations
Deaths following illicit ketamine use have accelerated in recent years, increasingly involving complex polydrug use and socio-economic vulnerability. Policy responses should extend beyond single-substance legislative controls to include harm reduction, treatment integration, and social support strategies.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
July 1, 2025
John Martin Corkery, Caroline S Copeland, Fabrizio Schifano
2 citations
Diarylethylamine drugs, including diphenidine and methoxyphenidine (MXP), are dissociative substances with strong addictive potential. A systematic review of global mortality data found 48 deaths involving these drugs, with 37 occurring in the UK between 2014 and 2019. Most decedents were male (91%), White (95%), with a mean age of 37.2 years. Deaths were primarily accidental (89%) from acute drug toxicity (92%), often involving polysubstance poisoning with opioids, benzodiazepines, or stimulants. One-third of deaths involved MXP or diphenidine alone, suggesting these molecules are relatively toxic. Although diarylethylamine deaths are rare, these substances remain available, indicating ongoing risk.
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
July 9, 2025
Jade Pullen, Robert Moore, Rebecca Wood et al.
1 citation
Two deaths in the UK following DMT use occurred in the context of polydrug use, with both cases involving additional compounds that can increase serotonergic drive, potentially causing serotonin syndrome. DMT was detected in femoral blood at 0.23 mg/l and 0.24 mg/l. One case involved cocaine and amphetamine; the other involved venlafaxine and mirtazapine. A literature search found three previous fatalities after DMT use, all accidental, two during ayahuasca ceremonies. Polydrug use is increasingly common, and users of unregulated drugs should exercise caution when combining them with other unregulated drugs or prescribed medications.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
April 6, 2026
Kirsten L Rock, Paul Rees, David Morgan et al.
MDMA is being studied as a treatment for PTSD, but many patients already take antidepressants. This retrospective case-control study used a national drug-death database to examine whether antidepressant use is linked to MDMA-related deaths. Among 1328 MDMA-positive deaths and 5312 matched controls, post-mortem detection of antidepressants was associated with lower odds of MDMA fatality compared to other drug-related deaths (adjusted odds ratio 0.595, 95% CI 0.491-0.722). However, when analyzing prescribed antidepressants, no significant association was found (adjusted odds ratio 0.838, 95% CI 0.688-1.021). The findings suggest an inverse association between antidepressant use and MDMA fatality, but the relationship is not straightforward.
BMJ
February 3, 2026
Adam Winstock, David Nutt, Caroline S Copeland
Reclassifying ketamine without accompanying public health measures would be a symbolic action rather than an effective strategy for reducing harm, according to the authors. They argue that regulatory changes alone are insufficient and must be paired with broader public health interventions to meaningfully address risks associated with ketamine use.