The changing outlook of psychedelic drugs: The importance of risk assessment and occupational exposure limits
Natália Bernardi Videira, Vijayalekshmi Nair, Valérie Paquet, Dean Calhoun
Journal of Applied Toxicology August 30, 2023 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4533 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Anxiety LSD Psilocybin Serotonin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Adverse effect Pharmacology |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | The derived occupational exposure limits for psilocybin and LSD are 0.05 and 0.002 μg/m³, respectively, indicating these are highly hazardous compounds requiring safety measures in the workplace. |
Abstract
Abstract Serotonergic psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and 5‐methoxy‐ N , N ‐dimethyltryptamine (5‐MeO‐DMT), are currently being investigated for the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. Clinical trials with psilocybin and LSD have shown improvement in emotional and psychological scores. Although these drugs are reported to be safe in a controlled environment (such as clinical trials), exposure to low doses of these drugs can result in psychedelic effects, and therefore, occupational safety is an important consideration to prevent adverse effects in the workplace from low daily exposure. This article will discuss the factors involved in the derivation of occupational exposure limits (OELs) and risk assessment of these psychedelic drugs. To support the OEL derivations of psychedelic drugs, information regarding their mechanism of action, adverse effect profiles, pharmacokinetics, clinical effects, and nonclinical toxicity were considered. Additionally, psilocybin and LSD, which are the most extensively researched psychedelic substances, are employed as illustrative examples in case studies. The OELs derived for psilocybin and for LSD are 0.05 and 0.002 μg/m 3 , respectively, which indicates that these are highly hazardous compounds, and it is important to take into account suitable safety measures and risk‐management strategies in order to minimize workplace exposure.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on LSD for anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Clinical Research on LSD | 2017 | Review | |
| Ayahuasca: Pharmacology, neuroscience and therapeutic potential | 2016 | Review | |
| Psychedelic Drugs in Biomedicine | 2017 | Review | |
| Studies on Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD-25) Nonpsychotic subjects | 1956 | Review | |
| The Past and Future of Psychedelic Science: An Introduction to This Issue | 2019 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Ethical issues with psychedelic-assisted treatments in psychiatry: A systematic scoping review Psychological Medicine 2025
- New Approach Methodologies and Open Access Tools Help Characterize Risks for DART, DNT, or Endocrine Effects From Exposure to Hallucinogens With Potential Pesticide Contaminants. Birth defects research May 1, 2026
Cites 79
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Cell Reports June 1, 2018
and 74 more in the library