Among 47 heavy drug users hospitalized for detoxification in Lebanon, 66% reported using salvia. The drug's effects began and ended within 15 minutes. Compared to non-users, salvia users scored higher on perception but lower on intensity and volition subscales of the Hallucinogen Rating Scale; no differences emerged on affect, cognition, or somaesthesia. Salvia use was linked to perceptual changes and hallucinogenic experiences.
Recreational psychedelic use is increasing, but data on adverse events is limited. A retrospective chart review of emergency department visits at UC San Diego Medical Center from 2010 to 2023 identified 232 cases linked to LSD (35%), MDMA (30.2%), and psilocybin (24%). Patients were mostly young, white, and male. Common symptoms included agitation (25.9%) and anxiety (24.6%); 11.2% required psychiatric hospitalization. Factors associated with higher odds of hospitalization were concurrent cannabis use (odds ratio 10.9), history of bipolar disorder (odds ratio 12.67), and history of a primary psychotic disorder (odds ratio 17.10). Most psychedelic-related emergency visits are managed without hospitalization, but these specific vulnerabilities predict severe outcomes.
A randomized controlled trial tested the effect of an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on 50 family caregivers of people with psychosis. Compared to a control group, caregivers who completed MBSR showed significant decreases in state anxiety, trait anxiety, hopelessness, and caregiver burden, along with increased self-compassion. These improvements were sustained at one-month and three-month follow-ups. The results suggest MBSR may be an effective intervention for reducing care burden and improving mental health in this population.