Neuropsychological profiles of patients suffering from hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD): A comparative analysis with psychedelic-using and non-using controls
Georg Leistenschneider, Tomislav Majić, Simon Reiche, Thomas Riemer
Scientific Reports December 31, 2024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-82216-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case-control study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 24 |
| Population | Individuals with HPPD and matched controls with and without prior psychedelic use |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Neuropsychology Hallucinogen Neuropsychological assessment Neuropsychological test Perception Clinical psychology Cognition |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | Some individuals with HPPD showed below-average visual memory and executive function, but adjusted comparisons with controls revealed no significant differences. |
Abstract
Abstract Classic psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin are showing promising effects in treating certain psychiatric disorders. Despite their low toxicity and lack of an addictive potential, in some individuals, psychedelics can be associated with persisting psychological harms. Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) is one of those complications, a rare disorder characterized by enduring perceptual symptoms without impaired reality control. While the phenomenological aspects of HPPD have been characterized, the neuropsychological consequences have remained understudied. This study probes the neuropsychological profiles of eight individuals with HPPD, utilizing a comprehensive test battery. Performance is benchmarked against normative data and compared with two control groups, each comprising eight matched subjects—with and without prior psychedelic use. The assessment of individual performances revealed below average results in tests of visual memory and executive function in some subjects. No significant differences were observed in alpha-adjusted comparisons with controls, whereas unadjusted analyses were suggestive of impaired executive functions among HPPD patients. Together, these preliminary results underline the need for further focused research into the neuropsychological dimensions of HPPD.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression: fMRI-measured brain mechanisms. Patients with treatment-resistant depression | 2017 | Observational cohort | n = 19 |
| Psychedelic effects of psilocybin correlate with serotonin 2A receptor occupancy and plasma psilocin levels Healthy volunteers | 2019 | Observational cohort | n = 8 |
| Increased spontaneous MEG signal diversity for psychoactive doses of ketamine, LSD and psilocybin Humans | 2017 | Observational study | |
| Classic psychedelic use is associated with reduced psychological distress and suicidality in the United States adult population. USA adult respondents from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2008-2012) | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 190,000 |
| Prediction of Psilocybin Response in Healthy Volunteers Healthy volunteers | 2012 | Observational cohort | n = 409 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Sporadic use of classic psychedelics and neuropsychological performance: A cross-sectional analysis. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry April 2, 2025
- Real-World Therapeutic Use of Ketamine in Clinical and Non-Clinical Settings: A Cross-Sectional Survey Journal of Psychoactive Drugs September 23, 2026
- Characterising the clinical associations of hallucinogen persisting perceptual disorder: a retrospective cohort study
Cites 28
- Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression. New England Journal of Medicine November 3, 2022
- Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder JAMA Psychiatry August 24, 2022
- Adverse effects of psychedelics: From anecdotes and misinformation to systematic science. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 2, 2022
- Peak experiences and the afterglow phenomenon: When and how do therapeutic effects of hallucinogens depend on psychedelic experiences? Journal of Psychopharmacology February 9, 2015
- The Current Status of Psychedelics in Psychiatry. JAMA Psychiatry February 1, 2021
and 23 more in the library