LSD flashback syndrome exacerbated by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants in adolescents.
The Journal of Pediatrics November 1, 1994 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-3476(94)70083-4 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2 |
| Population | Two adolescents with a history of LSD abuse and symptoms consistent with major depressive disorder |
| Intervention | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor agents |
| Topics | LSD Serotonin |
| Key findings | In two adolescents with prior LSD abuse and depressive symptoms, starting SSRI antidepressants was followed by new or worsening LSD flashback syndrome. The authors propose that shared neuroreceptor physiology between LSD and serotonin may explain why SSRIs induce flashbacks in patients with a history of LSD use. |
Abstract
Two adolescents with a long history of abuse of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and symptoms consistent with major depressive disorder, on initiation of antidepressant therapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor agents, had the new onset or worsening of LSD flashback syndrome. The similarity in neuroreceptor physiology for both LSD and serotonin suggests that the LSD flashback syndrome may be induced by these drugs in patients with a history of LSD abuse.
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 | |
| Coma, Hyperthermia, and Bleeding Associated with Massive LSD Overdose a Report of Eight Cases People who self-administered large amounts of pure LSD powder intranasally | 1975 | Case series | n = 8 |
| 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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder: Etiology, Clinical Features, and Therapeutic Perspectives Brain Sciences March 16, 2018
- Flashback phenomena after administration of LSD and psilocybin in controlled studies with healthy participants Psychopharmacology January 25, 2022
- Content analysis of Reddit posts about coadministration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and psilocybin mushrooms. Psychopharmacology August 1, 2024
- Flashbacks, Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), and Reactivations Following the Use of Classic Psychedelics: Classification and Therapeutic Management. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences 2026
- Serotonergic/glutamatergic interactions: potentiation of phencyclidine-induced stimulus control by citalopram. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior July 2005
and 1 more in the library