Adverse outcomes of psychedelics self‐reported: Survey
Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly October 16, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/adaw.35083 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,964 |
| Population | U.S. adults |
| Interventions | Psilocybin LSD MDMA Ibogaine |
| Duration | Past 12-month use |
| Key findings | Among five psychedelics, ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT were associated with the most frequent self-reported adverse outcomes relative to use, while psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA accounted for the greatest absolute number of adverse outcomes due to higher prevalence of use. The authors note cardiac risks for ibogaine and caution that the cross-sectional design precludes causal conclusions. |
Abstract
A nationally representative cross‐sectional survey of U.S. adults found the among all psychedelics, ibogaine and 5‐MeO‐DMT (5‐methoxy‐N,N‐ dimethyltryptamine) resulted in the most frequent self‐reported adverse outcomes, according to a recent study. The study, “Adverse Health Outcomes of Psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, Ibogaine, and 5‐MeO‐DMT,” by Otto Simonsson, Ph.D., and colleagues, was published September 20 in JAMA Network Open. The number of adults reporting adverse outcomes was greatest for psilocybin, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) and MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), because these substances are more commonly used. Many findings have indicated risks of cardiac adverse effects of ibogaine, consistent with its known association with QTc prolongation and arrhythmia. The study researchers said the information is important, as psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD MDMA are in clinical trials for psychiatric disorders. Ibogaine and 5‐MeO‐DMT have also shown promise for psychiatric disorders in smaller trials. The study's researchers conducted a survey of 1,964 adults. Past 12‐month use was reported by 1,151 respondents for psilocybin, 376 for LSD, 539 for MDMA, 74 for ibogaine and 95 for 5‐MeO‐DMT. The study limitations included the cross‐sectional design, which precluded conclusions about causality.