Dataset Information

Adverse experiences resulting in emergency medical treatment seeking following the use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recreational lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) use is growing in popularity amid increasing research interest on psychedelics and their possible therapeutic potential yet; the potent psychotropic effects of LSD may result in adverse reactions and behaviour.

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the 12-month incidence and nature of LSD-related adverse experiences resulting in emergency medical treatment (EMT) seeking in an international sample of people reporting LSD use.

Methods

We use data from the 2017 Global Drug Survey - a large anonymous online survey on patterns of drug use conducted between November 2016 and January 2017.

Results

Out of 10,293 past-year LSD users, 102 (1.0%) reported seeking EMT, with a per-event risk estimate of 0.2%. Younger age, comorbid mental health conditions and higher frequency of use were associated with increased risk of EMT seeking. The most common symptoms were psychological, including anxiety, panic and confusion, with the most common explanatory factors cited by respondents being poor 'setting' and 'mindset'. Most responders reported feeling back to normal within 24 h, but 11 participants experienced persistent issues after 4 weeks.

Conclusion

The results suggest that LSD is a relatively safe drug in recreational settings. Adverse reactions are typically short-lived, self-limiting and psychological in nature. Sub-optimal set and setting were commonly reported as suspected contributory factors. Within clinical settings, patient screening, preparatory sessions and supervision should reduce these acute risks considerably.

SUBMITTER: Kopra EI

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9353972 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Adverse experiences resulting in emergency medical treatment seeking following the use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

Kopra Emma I EI Ferris Jason A JA Rucker James J JJ McClure Benjamin B Young Allan H AH Copeland Caroline S CS Winstock Adam R AR

Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) 20220607 8

<h4>Background</h4>Recreational lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) use is growing in popularity amid increasing research interest on psychedelics and their possible therapeutic potential yet; the potent psychotropic effects of LSD may result in adverse reactions and behaviour.<h4>Aims</h4>This study aimed to investigate the 12-month incidence and nature of LSD-related adverse experiences resulting in emergency medical treatment (EMT) seeking in an international sample of people reporting LSD use.< ...[more]

PMID: 35672900

Similar Datasets

Project description:The ergoline d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is one of the most potent psychedelic drugs. 1-Acetyl-LSD (ALD-52), a derivative of LSD containing an acetyl group on the indole nitrogen, also produces psychedelic effects in humans and has about the same potency as LSD. Recently, several other 1-acyl-substitued LSD derivatives, including 1-propanoyl-LSD (1P-LSD) and 1-butanoyl-LSD (1B-LSD), have appeared as designer drugs. Although these compounds are assumed to act as prodrugs for LSD, studies have not specifically tested this prediction. The present investigation was conducted to address the gap of information about the pharmacological effects and mechanism-of-action of 1-acyl-substituted LSD derivatives. Competitive binding studies and calcium mobilization assays were performed to assess the interaction of ALD-52, 1P-LSD, and 1B-LSD with serotonin 5-HT2 receptor subtypes. A receptorome screening was performed with 1B-LSD to assess its binding to other potential targets. Head twitch response (HTR) studies were performed in C57BL/6J mice to assess in vivo activation of 5-HT2A (the receptor thought to be primarily responsible for hallucinogenesis). Finally, liquid chromatography/ion-trap mass spectrometry (LC/MS) was used to quantify plasma levels of LSD in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with ALD-52 and 1P-LSD. 1-Acyl-substitution reduced the affinity of LSD for most monoamine receptors, including 5-HT2A sites, by one to two orders of magnitude. Although LSD acts as an agonist at 5-HT2 subtypes, ALD-52, 1P-LSD and 1B-LSD have weak efficacy or act as antagonists in Ca2+-mobilization assays. Despite the detrimental effect of 1-acyl substitution on 5-HT2A affinity and efficacy, 1-acyl-substitued LSD derivatives induce head twitches in mice with relatively high potency. High levels of LSD were detected in the plasma of rats after subcutaneous administration of ALD-52 and 1P-LSD, demonstrating these compounds are rapidly and efficiently deacylated in vivo. These findings are consistent with the prediction that ALD-52, 1P-LSD and 1B-LSD serve as prodrugs for LSD. This article is part of the special issue entitled 'Serotonin Research: Crossing Scales and Boundaries'.

Dataset Information

Adverse experiences resulting in emergency medical treatment seeking following the use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

Background

Aims

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Adverse experiences resulting in emergency medical treatment seeking following the use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

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