Coma, Hyperthermia, and Bleeding Associated with Massive LSD Overdose a Report of Eight Cases
John Klock, Udo Boerner, Charles E. Becker
Clinical Toxicology 1975 DOI: 10.3109/15563657508988063 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 8 |
| Population | People who self-administered large amounts of pure LSD powder intranasally |
| Topics | LSD |
| Keywords | Coma optics Hyperthermia Anesthesia Respiratory arrest Tartrate Respiratory failure |
| Citations | 78 |
| Key findings | Massive LSD overdose produces life-threatening effects including hyperthermia, coma, respiratory arrest, and platelet dysfunction, but all eight patients recovered with supportive care. |
Abstract
Eight patients were seen within 15 min of intranasal self-administration of large amounts of pure D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) tartrate powder. Emesis and collapse occurred along with sign of sympathetic overactivity, hyperthermia, coma, and respiratory arrest. Mild generalized bleeding occurred in several patients and evidence of platelet dysfunction was present in all. Serum and gastric concentrations of LSD tartrate ranged from 2.1 to 26 ng/ml and 1000 to 7000 mug/100 ml, respectively. With supportive care, all patients recovered. Massive LSD overdose in humans is life-threatening and produces striking and distinctive manifestations.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lasting Neuropsychiatric Sequelae of (??)Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (???Ecstasy???) in Recreational Users Persons who ingested large doses of MDMA | 1991 | Case study | n = 2 |
| Further Studies in the Therapeutic Value of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Mental Illness Patients with mental illness | 1957 | Case series | |
| Using a MDMA- and LSD-Group Therapy Model in Clinical Practice in Switzerland and Highlighting the Treatment of Trauma-Related Disorders Patients with chronic complex post-traumatic stress disorder (c-PTSD), dissociative,... | 2022 | Case series | |
| Persistent Palinopsia Following Ingestion of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) Patients who developed persistent palinopsia after LSD ingestion | 1996 | Case series | n = 3 |
| The dangers of LSD. Analysis of seven months' experience in a university hospital's psychiatric service Patients with adverse reactions to LSD taken outside medical or research settings | 1966 | Case series | n = 70 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 28
- The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics November 11, 2008
- Acute Effects of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Healthy Subjects Biological Psychiatry November 29, 2014
- Clinical toxicology of newer recreational drugs Clinical Toxicology October 1, 2011
- Psilocybin – Summary of knowledge and new perspectives European Neuropsychopharmacology December 17, 2013
- Risk assessment of ritual use of oral dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and harmala alkaloids Addiction December 20, 2006
and 23 more in the library
Cites 9
- Evidence for a central 5‐hydroxytryptamine receptor stimulation by lysergic acid diethylamide British Journal of Pharmacology September 1, 1968
- Antagonism of 5‐hydroxytryptamine by LSD 25 in the central nervous system: a possible neuronal basis for the actions of LSD 25 British Journal of Pharmacology October 1, 1970
- Persistence of lysergic acid diethylamide in the plasma of human subjects Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics September 1, 1964
- Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: Its Effects on a Male Asiatic Elephant Science December 7, 1962
- D‐Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): A review of its present status Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics March 1, 1965
and 4 more in the library