Skip to content

Hallucinogenic drugs attenuate the subjective response to alcohol in humans

Sean P. Barrett, Jennifer Archambault, Marla Engelberg, Robert O. Pihl

Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental 2000 DOI: 10.1002/1099-1077(200010)15:7<559::aid-hup230>3.0.co;2-j (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Retrospective structured interview study Peer reviewed
Sample size 22
Population Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and/or psilocybin users
Interventions LSD psilocybin alcohol
Topics Addiction LSD Psilocybin Serotonin
Keywords Hallucinogen Antagonism Pharmacology Alcohol addiction
Citations 11
Key points LSD and psilocybin block or reduce the subjective effects of alcohol, with LSD showing significantly greater antagonism than psilocybin.

Abstract

This study investigated possible interactions between alcohol and hallucinogens in 22 lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and/or psilocybin users through retrospective structured interviews. Of those who had used LSD with alcohol, 86;7 per cent reported a complete blockade of subjective alcohol effects, while the remaining cases reported a diminished response. In addition, 60 per cent of respondents who had used alcohol and psilocybin together reported a partial antagonism of subjective alcohol effects.T-test analyses revealed that LSD's antagonism of alcohol effects were significantly greater than those associated with psilocybin. It is proposed that LSD's effect on alcohol intoxication may involve interactions with various serotonergic and/or dopaminergic receptor systems. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Explore topics