Prevalence and associations of classic psychedelic-related seizures in a population-based sample.
Otto Simonsson, Simon B. Goldberg, Richard Chambers, Walter Osika, Dustin M Long, Peter S. Hendricks
Drug and Alcohol Dependence October 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109586 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2,822 |
| Population | US adults representative by sex, age, and ethnicity |
| Topics | LSD Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Adverse Psychedelics Risk Seizures |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key findings | Classic psychedelic-related seizures occurred in 1.5% of lifetime users, with higher risk among those with a personal or family history of epilepsy. |
Abstract
Previous studies have reported links between classic psychedelic use and seizures, but little remains known about prevalence and potential risk factors of classic psychedelic-related seizures. Using a sample representative of the US adult population with regard to sex, age, and ethnicity (N = 2822), this study examined the prevalence and potential risk factors of classic psychedelic-related seizures, in a subsample of respondents who reported lifetime classic psychedelic use (n = 613). Among those who reported lifetime classic psychedelic use, 1.5 % reported classic psychedelic-related seizures, a statistic that comports with the prevalence of epilepsy in the US population. Among those who reported seizures while using a classic psychedelic, almost half reported co-use of antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or opioid replacement therapies at the time of the seizures. Notably, classic psychedelic-related seizures were more commonly reported in certain respondents, especially those with a personal or family history of epilepsy. These results suggest that classic psychedelic use could increase the risk of seizures in certain populations, particularly those with a personal or family history of epilepsy.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on LSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 15
- Prevalence and associations of challenging, difficult or distressing experiences using classic psychedelics. Journal of Affective Disorders April 1, 2023
- Co-use of MDMA with psilocybin/LSD may buffer against challenging experiences and enhance positive experiences Scientific Reports August 22, 2023
- 5-MeO-DMT: An atypical psychedelic with unique pharmacology, phenomenology & risk? Psychopharmacology December 11, 2023
- Perceived Risk of Trying Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in the United States from 2015 to 2019: Are Americans Assessing Lysergic Acid Diethylamide's Risk Profile More Favorably? Psychedelic Medicine June 1, 2024
- Psychedelic Therapist Sexual Misconduct and Other Adverse Experiences Among a Sample of Naturalistic Psychedelic Users. Psychedelic Medicine March 1, 2025
and 10 more in the library
Cites 8
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Therapeutic effects of classic serotonergic psychedelics: A systematic review of modern‐era clinical studies Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica October 30, 2020
- The Current Status of Psychedelics in Psychiatry. JAMA Psychiatry February 1, 2021
- Does getting high hurt? Characterization of cases of LSD and psilocybin-containing mushroom exposures to national poison centers between 2000 and 2016 Journal of Psychopharmacology September 5, 2018
and 3 more in the library