This scoping review (s=27) assesses the relationship between classic psychedelics and seizures. It finds that psychedelics may not increase seizure risk in healthy individuals or animals without other drugs, but concomitant use of substances like kambo or lithium could heighten the risk. The conclusions, however, lack sufficient external validity and should be interpreted with caution.
Abstract of Do classic psychedelics increase the risk of seizures?
“Seizures are a concerning adverse event frequently associated with the use of psychedelics, and hence, studies involving these substances tend to exclude patients with past history of epilepsy. This is especially relevant because epileptic seizures are markedly increased in the population suffering from mental disorders, and psychedelic assisted therapy is being researched as a promising treatment for several of them. To determine the extent of the current literature on the relationship between classic psychedelics and seizures, a scoping review was performed using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews). The search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Google scholar, LILACS and Scielo, and both animal and human models were included. A total of 16 publications on humans, and 11 on animals, were found. The results are heterogeneous, but globally suggest that psychedelics may not increase the risk of seizures in healthy individuals or animals in the absence of other drugs. However, concomitant use of other substances or drugs, such as kambo or lithium, could increase the risk of seizures. Additionally, these conclusions are drawn from data lacking sufficient external validity, so they should be interpreted with caution. Future paths for research and a summary on possible neurobiological underpinnings that might clarify the relationship between classical psychedelics and seizures are also provided.”
Authors: Óscar Soto-Angona, Adriana Fortea, Lydia Fortea, María Martínez-Ramírez, Estevo Santamarina, Francisco José Gil López, Gite Moos Knudsen & Genís Ona
Summary of Do classic psychedelics increase the risk of seizures?
Esketamine, psilocybin, or 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) are among the psychedelic-like drugs that are being studied for their therapeutic potential. However, there is a lack of data and certain practices in psychedelic research are not based on evidence.
The safety profile of psychedelic drugs is poorly described in the literature due to study design (lack of systematic assessment of adverse effects) and sample selection (small sample sizes and short duration), and there is a notable lack of long-term data.
Classic psychedelics like DMT, LSD, mescaline and psilocybin stimulate the serotonin 2A receptor, and produce profound changes in perception and mood. They are often associated with highly meaningful experiences, but adverse events are mostly benign.
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Do classic psychedelics increase the risk of seizures? A scoping review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.05.002
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Cite this paper (APA)
Soto-Angona, Ó., Fortea, A., Fortea, L., Martínez-Ramírez, M., Santamarina, E., López, F. J. G., ... & Ona, G. (2024). Do classic psychedelics increase the risk of seizures? A scoping review. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 85, 35-42.
Study details
Topics studied
Neurocognitive Disorders
Neuroscience
Study characteristics
Literature Review