The psychedelic call: analysis of Australian Poisons Information Centre calls associated with classic psychedelics.
Rachael Wilkes, Darren M Roberts, Paul Liknaitzky, Jonathan Brett
Clinical Toxicology April 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2024.2346612 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Retrospective observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 737 |
| Population | Calls to New South Wales Poisons Information Centre regarding exposures to classical psychedelics |
| Duration | 9-year period (January 2014 to December 2022) |
| Topics | Ayahuasca Ibogaine LSD Mescaline Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Public health epidemiology N,N-Dimethyltryptamine DMT Overdose Psychedelics hallucinogens Entheogens Drug safety poisoning Toxicity Health monitoring Poison control |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key findings | Calls about classical psychedelic exposures more than doubled from 2014 to 2022, with 85% of calls from or referred to hospital, indicating significant toxicity in community use. |
Abstract
The global use of certain classical psychedelics has increased in recent years, but little is known about their spectrum of toxicity within Australia. We aim to describe calls to New South Wales Poisons Information Centre relating to exposures to classical psychedelics including lysergic acid diethylamide, psilocybin, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, ayahuasca, mescaline and ibogaine. This is a retrospective observational study of calls to New South Wales Poisons Information Centre between January 2014 and December 2022. We identified exposures to classical psychedelics within New South Wales Poisons Information Centre database and measured the annual number of exposures, source of call (hospital, health care worker, member of the public), co-ingested substances, clinical features and advice given. There were 737 calls related to relevant psychedelic exposures; 352 (47.8 per cent) to lysergic acid diethylamide, 347 (47.0 per cent) to psilocybin, 28 (3.8 per cent) to N,N-dimethyltryptamine, 4 (0.5 per cent) to ayahuasca, 4 (0.5 per cent) to mescaline and 2 (0.3 per cent) to ibogaine. Cases were predominantly male (77.2 per cent) and aged between 20 and 74 years (65.6 per cent). Psychedelic calls more than doubled from 45 in 2014 to 105 in 2022 and 625 (85 per cent) of all calls were either from or referred to hospital. Co-ingestion of psychedelics with another substance occurred in 249 (33.8 per cent) of calls and the most frequent clinical features related to single substance psychedelic exposures were hallucinations (27.6 per cent), gastrointestinal symptoms (21.7 per cent) and tachycardia (18.1 per cent). Seizures occurred in 2.9 per cent of single substance psychedelic exposures. Increasing incidence of psychedelic exposure calls, including those reporting significant toxicity, likely reflects increasing community use. This may in part be driven by increasing interest in psychedelic assisted psychotherapy trials subsequently increasing public awareness. Relatively high poisoning severity contrasts with safety within clinical trials of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy that may relate to the uncontrolled nature of community use which is mitigated within clinical trial environments. Education about safe use may be useful.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on ibogaine, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment of opioid use disorder with ibogaine: detoxification and drug use outcomes. Adults with DSM-IV opioid dependence | 2018 | Observational study | n = 30 |
| Ibogaine treatment outcomes for opioid dependence from a twelve-month follow-up observational study. Individuals receiving legal ibogaine treatment for opioid dependence in New Zealand | 2018 | Observational study | n = 14 |
| Ibogaine: complex pharmacokinetics, concerns for safety, and preliminary efficacy measures. Drug-dependent persons undergoing inpatient detoxification | 2000 | Observational study | |
| Treating drug dependence with the aid of ibogaine: a retrospective study. Former alcohol, cannabis, cocaine and crack users (72% poly-drug users) | 2014 | Retrospective analysis | n = 75 |
| Magnesium-ibogaine therapy in veterans with traumatic brain injuries. Male Special Operations Forces veterans with predominantly mild traumatic brain injury | 2024 | Prospective observational study | n = 30 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- Psilocybin Outside the Clinic JAMA Psychiatry November 5, 2025
- Mind the gap! Addressing unresolved aspects of abuse potential evaluation and scheduling of classic and novel psychedelic drugs Journal of Psychopharmacology October 16, 2025
- A cross-national comparison of nonmedical and medical use of psychedelic drugs in the international cannabis policy study. International Journal of Drug Policy August 1, 2026
- Exploring the perceived usefulness of integration support after naturalistic psychedelic experiences in people concerned about their substance use: A survey Journal of Psychedelic Studies April 22, 2025
- Commentary on Darkeet al.: Expanded psychedelic access requires new safety monitoring systems Addiction June 17, 2024
and 2 more in the library
Cites 16
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. Pharmacology & Therapeutics May 1, 2019
- Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2015
- Adverse events in clinical treatments with serotonergic psychedelics and MDMA: A mixed-methods systematic review Journal of Psychopharmacology August 26, 2022
- Adverse effects of ayahuasca: Results from the Global Ayahuasca Survey. PLOS global public health 2022
and 11 more in the library