LSD-induced hallucinogen persisting perception disorder treatment with clonidine: an open pilot study
A Lerner, Marc Gelkopf, Igor Oyffe, Boris Finkel, S Katz, Mircea Sigal, Abraham Weizman
International Clinical Psychopharmacology 2000 DOI: 10.1097/00004850-200015010-00005 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Open-label pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 8 |
| Population | Patients with LSD-induced hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) |
| Intervention | Clonidine |
| Dose | 0.025 mg three times a day |
| Duration | 2 months |
| Measures | Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI), self-report scale on severity of symptoms (graded 0-5) |
| Topics | LSD |
| Keywords | Clonidine Hallucinogen Psychopathology Clinical global impression Anesthesia Open label |
| Citations | 39 |
| Key points | Clonidine reduced symptom severity from marked to mild in patients with HPPD, as measured by the Clinical Global Impression Scale and a self-report scale. |
Abstract
A pilot open study was conducted in order to evaluate the efficacy of clonidine in the treatment of LSD-induced hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). Eight patients fulfilled entrance criteria. All complained of HPPD for at least 3 months and were drug free at least 3 months. They received fixed low doses of clonidine, 0.025 mg, three times a day for 2 months. They were evaluated by the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) and a self-report scale on the severity of symptoms (graded 0-5). Patients scored an average of 5.25 (SD = 0.46) on the CGI and 4 on the self-report scale at baseline, indicating marked psychopathology. One patient dropped out at week 3 and a second patient dropped out at week 5. Of the six patients remaining at the end of 2 months, the average CGI score was 2.5 (SD = 0.55) and the self-report scale score was 2, indicating mild symptomatology. LSD-related flashbacks associated with excessive sympathetic nervous activity may be alleviated with clonidine in some patients.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The paradoxical psychological effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) Healthy volunteers | 2016 | Within-subjects controlled trial | n = 20 |
| Study of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide as an Analgesic Agent Hospital patients | 1964 | Clinical trial | n = 50 |
| Localization of serotonin 5‐HT2 receptors in living human brain by positron emission tomography using N1‐([11C]‐methyl)‐2‐BR‐LSD Normal human volunteers | 1987 | Clinical trial | n = 7 |
| Psychedelic Therapy Utilizing LSD in the Treatment of the Alcoholic Patient: A Preliminary Report Alcoholic patients | 1967 | Pilot study | n = 69 |
| DOET(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Ethylamphetamine), a New Psychotropic Drug Normal male subjects | 1971 | Controlled trial |
Citations in the library
Cited by 20
- Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder: Etiology, Clinical Features, and Therapeutic Perspectives Brain Sciences March 16, 2018
- The “Endless Trip” among the NPS Users: Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology in the Hallucinogen-Persisting Perception Disorder. A Systematic Review Frontiers in Psychiatry November 20, 2017
- Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder: A literature review and three case reports Journal of Addictive Diseases October 2, 2018
- Hallucinogen persisting perceptual disorder: a scoping review covering frequency, risk factors, prevention, and treatment Expert Opinion on Drug Safety April 15, 2022
- Halluzinogen-induzierte Persistierende Wahrnehmungsstörung (HPPD) und Flashback-Phänomene – Differenzialdiagnose und Erklärungsmodelle Fortschritte der Neurologie · Psychiatrie September 30, 2015
and 15 more in the library