A Review of Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) and an Exploratory Study of Subjects Claiming Symptoms of HPPD.
John H. Halpern, Arturo G Lerner, Torsten Passie
Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences 2018 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2016_457 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review with survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | People reporting Type-2 HPPD-like symptoms |
| Topics | LSD |
| Keywords | Dissociation Drug-induced flashback Hallucinogens |
| Key findings | The authors propose that HPPD is in most cases caused by subtle over-activation of predominantly visual neural pathways that worsens anxiety after arousal-altering drugs, including non-hallucinogenic substances. Dissociative symptoms were consistently associated with HPPD, and individual or family anxiety history plus pre-drug tinnitus, eye floaters, and concentration problems may predict vulnerability. They argue future research should broaden its outlook because many perceptual symptoms were not first experienced while intoxicated and are partly linked to pre-existing psychiatric comorbidity. |
Abstract
Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) is rarely encountered in clinical settings. It is described as a re-experiencing of some perceptual distortions induced while intoxicated and suggested to subsequently cause functional impairment or anxiety. Two forms exist: Type 1, which are brief "flashbacks," and Type 2 claimed to be chronic, waxing, and waning over months to years. A review of HPPD is presented. In addition, data from a comprehensive survey of 20 subjects reporting Type-2 HPPD-like symptoms are presented and evaluated. Dissociative Symptoms are consistently associated with HPPD. Results of the survey suggest that HPPD is in most cases due to a subtle over-activation of predominantly neural visual pathways that worsens anxiety after ingestion of arousal-altering drugs, including non-hallucinogenic substances. Individual or family histories of anxiety and pre-drug use complaints of tinnitus, eye floaters, and concentration problems may predict vulnerability for HPPD. Future research should take a broader outlook as many perceptual symptoms reported were not first experienced while intoxicated and are partially associated with pre-existing psychiatric comorbidity.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on LSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
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- Towards an understanding of psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023
- Long-term effects of psychedelic drugs: A systematic review Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews March 16, 2020
- Long-lasting subjective effects of LSD in normal subjects Psychopharmacology September 16, 2017
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Cites 22
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