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.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a life-threatening disease: A qualitative study of acute and sustained subjective effects Patients with anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases | 2014 | Prospective follow-up with qualitative content analysis | n = 10 |
| Response of cluster headache to psilocybin and LSD Cluster headache patients who used psilocybin or LSD | 2006 | Qualitative study | n = 53 |
| Making "bad trips" good: How users of psychedelics narratively transform challenging trips into valuable experiences. Norwegian users of psychedelics | 2021 | Qualitative study | n = 50 |
| Psychedelic microdosing benefits and challenges: an empirical codebook Active microdosing community | 2019 | Mixed-methods study | |
| Psychoactive substances as a last resort—a qualitative study of self-treatment of migraine and cluster headaches Users of online forums discussing cluster headache and migraine treatments | 2017 | Qualitative thematic analysis |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental June 1, 2006
- Substance use initiation: The role of simultaneous polysubstance use Drug and Alcohol Review May 21, 2012
- Classic psychedelics and alcohol use disorders: A systematic review of human and animal studies Addiction Biology August 31, 2022
- Drug–drug interactions involving classic psychedelics: A systematic review Journal of Psychopharmacology November 20, 2023
- Occurrence and use of hallucinogenic mushrooms containing psilocybin alkaloids TemaNord May 19, 2009
and 5 more in the library
Cites 11
- Psilocybin induces schizophrenia-like psychosis in humans via a serotonin-2 agonist action Neuroreport December 1, 1998
- Evidence for 5-HT2 involvement in the mechanism of action of hallucinogenic agents. Life Sciences December 17, 1984
- The psychopharmacology of hallucinogens. Neuropsychopharmacology April 1, 1996
- LSD: My Problem Child The Antioch Review 1981
- Treatment of alcoholism using psychedelic drugs: a review of the program of research. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 1998
and 6 more in the library