Mushrooms And Seizures: What's The Real Risk?

There is limited research on the relationship between seizures and psychedelic mushrooms. Most data are case reports of individuals taking unspecified amounts of untested psychedelic mushrooms in uncontrolled recreational settings. While adverse events, including convulsive seizures, have been reported, it is unclear whether these events resulted from psychedelic use or other factors, such as simultaneous alcohol or drug consumption. However, a case study reported a significant increase in epileptic seizures following the ingestion of a large dose of psychedelic mushrooms in a patient with a history of epilepsy. Clinical trials examining psychedelic-assisted therapy have excluded individuals with a history of seizures, leaving a knowledge gap regarding the safety of these substances for this population. With the increasing popularity and availability of psychedelic mushrooms, further research is needed to understand their potential adverse effects, including the risk of seizures.

Magic mushrooms can cause seizures in people with epilepsy

Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, have been used by humans for centuries for medicinal, religious, and tribal purposes. While they have been shown to have therapeutic benefits for various neurological and psychiatric disorders, there are also potential adverse effects associated with their use, particularly for individuals with epilepsy.

Several case reports have described seizures in individuals with epilepsy who ingested magic mushrooms. In one case, a 31-year-old male with a history of refractory frontal epilepsy experienced a significant increase in seizure frequency after consuming a large dose (3.6 g) of psychedelic mushrooms. Another case report described a person with epilepsy who had a cluster of seizures while using psychedelic mushrooms at home. It is important to note that the patient in this case was also consuming alcohol and other drugs, which may have contributed to the seizures.

The risk of seizures associated with magic mushroom use may be dose-related. In the case report mentioned above, the patient consumed a whole mushroom (estimated at 2.5-3.0 g) and experienced symptoms similar to a seizure with a sense of calm instead of anxiety. On subsequent days, he took smaller amounts (no more than 1.5 g) and had one additional seizure, consistent with his baseline pattern.

While the literature suggests that magic mushrooms may not increase the risk of seizures in healthy individuals or animals in the absence of other drugs, the risk may be higher for those with epilepsy. However, it is important to note that the current understanding of the relationship between magic mushrooms and seizures is based primarily on case reports and observational studies, and more rigorous research is needed to establish a causal link.

In conclusion, while magic mushrooms have therapeutic potential, they may cause seizures in people with epilepsy, especially when consumed in large doses or in combination with other substances. Further research is necessary to comprehensively understand the safety profile of magic mushrooms, especially in individuals with epilepsy or other seizure disorders.

Concomitant use of other substances may increase risk

While there is no evidence of an increased risk of seizures related to the use of classic psychedelics in non-epileptic individuals, the concomitant use of certain substances may increase the risk. This is especially true for individuals with epilepsy or a history of seizures.

Case reports have described the accidental and intentional ingestion of other substances, such as cocaine, non-MDMA amphetamines, alcohol, marijuana, and concomitant medication, along with psychedelic substances. These reports suggest a possible interaction between psychedelics and other substances that may increase the risk of seizures. For example, a case study by Blond et al. (2023) reported a significant increase in epileptic seizures in a 31-year-old male with a history of epilepsy after ingesting a large dose (3.6 g) of psychedelic mushrooms.

Another case report describes a person with epilepsy who experienced an increase in seizure frequency after ingesting psychedelic mushrooms. The patient also consumed alcohol and marijuana during the same period, making it challenging to determine the exact cause of the increased seizure activity.

The interaction between psychedelics and other substances is not yet fully understood, and more research is needed to establish clear guidelines for individuals with epilepsy or a history of seizures who are considering the use of psychedelic substances. It is essential to note that the risk of seizures may be dose-dependent, as larger doses of psychedelic mushrooms have been associated with increased seizure activity in some cases.

In summary, while classic psychedelics may not inherently increase the risk of seizures in healthy individuals, the concomitant use of other substances, such as those mentioned above, could potentially increase this risk. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals to be aware of the potential risks and to exercise caution when considering the use of psychedelic substances, especially if they have a history of seizures or epilepsy.

Ingesting large doses of mushrooms may cause seizures

Mushrooms, specifically those containing psilocybin, are known to induce psychedelic effects and are commonly referred to as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms." The use of these mushrooms as a recreational drug has been on the rise in recent years, particularly in the United States. This increasing popularity has led to a surge in research and movements toward the potential clinical application of psilocybin and other classic psychedelic compounds.

In the context of seizures, it is important to consider the potential risks associated with ingesting large doses of mushrooms. While there is limited data, some case reports have described individuals with epilepsy experiencing increased seizure activity after consuming psychedelic mushrooms. For example, a case study by Blond et al. (2023) reported a significant increase in epileptic seizures in a 31-year-old male with a history of refractory frontal epilepsy after he ingested a large dose (3.6 g) of psychedelic mushrooms.

Additionally, a case report by Freidel et al. (2024) described a person with epilepsy who experienced a significant exacerbation of seizures following the ingestion of psychedelic mushrooms. The individual consumed a whole mushroom on the first day, resulting in symptoms similar to their seizures but with a sense of calmness instead of anxiety. On subsequent days, they reduced the dosage but still experienced an additional seizure, consistent with their baseline pattern.

While these case reports suggest a potential link between high doses of mushrooms and seizures, especially in individuals with epilepsy, it is important to interpret these findings with caution. The existing literature is limited, and other confounding factors, such as the concomitant use of other substances, could also play a role in seizure occurrence. Furthermore, the risk of seizures may be influenced by various factors, including an individual's medical history, drug doses, and regimens.

People with epilepsy are excluded from clinical trials

While there is a renewed interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs, there is insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between seizures and the use of classic psychedelics. However, the risk of seizures may increase with the concomitant use of other substances, such as kambo or lithium. Due to the potential adverse consequences of epileptic seizures, people with epilepsy are often excluded from clinical trials, especially those involving psychedelics.

Clinical trials are designed to find answers to specific health questions, often focusing on new medications, drug combinations, surgical procedures, or devices. Before human trials, potential treatments must demonstrate benefits in laboratory testing, animal experiments, or small volunteer groups. Exclusion criteria for clinical trials are essential to ensure participant safety and the scientific integrity of the trial. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) has published common data elements to standardize epilepsy clinical trials and improve data comparison.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria for epilepsy clinical trials aim to maximize scientific impact and efficient recruitment of appropriate subjects. While some studies require healthy individuals without epilepsy, others focus on specific demographics like young adults, children, the elderly, or gender-specific groups. Factors like age, sex, race, and the presence of other medical conditions are considered in participant selection. However, the consistent exclusion of individuals with stable chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or psychiatric diagnoses, limits the generalizability of trial results to the broader epilepsy population.

To address this issue, the NINDS workshop in 2011 recommended that subjects with clinically relevant abnormalities in bloodwork, such as rising or new onset LFTs, be the basis for exclusion. Mild chronic conditions like anemia or hyperglycemia should not be standard exclusion criteria. Additionally, subjects with major depression or a single prior suicide attempt should not be routinely excluded. However, those with psychiatric disorders requiring changes in pharmacotherapy during the study should be excluded and referred for appropriate clinical care.

In the context of epilepsy and seizures, the safety profile of classical psychedelics remains uncertain. While some studies suggest that psychedelics may not increase seizure risk in healthy individuals or animals, case reports indicate that psychedelic mushrooms can induce seizures in people with epilepsy. For example, a case study by Blond et al. (2023) reported a significant increase in seizures in a 31-year-old male with refractory frontal epilepsy after ingesting a large dose of psychedelic mushrooms.

There is a renewed interest in therapeutic use of psychedelics

There is insufficient evidence to prove a causal relationship between seizures and the use of classic psychedelics. However, people with epilepsy or a history of seizures are generally excluded from clinical trials involving psychedelics due to the potential adverse consequences of epileptic seizures. While some sources suggest that psychedelics may not increase the risk of seizures in healthy individuals or animals in the absence of other drugs, there are reports of psychedelic-induced seizures in individuals with epilepsy. For instance, a case study reported a significant increase in epileptic seizures in a 31-year-old male with a history of epilepsy after ingesting a large dose of psychedelic mushrooms. Another case report describes a person with epilepsy who experienced an increase in seizures after consuming psychedelic mushrooms.

Therapeutic Use of Psychedelics

There is a renewed interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic-like drugs. While the mechanism of action of the therapeutic effects of psychedelics is not yet fully understood, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that psychedelic therapy, when conducted in a safe and controlled manner with professional guidance, can be a valuable therapeutic tool. The enthusiasm for these drugs is understandable given the urgent need for innovative treatments in psychiatry.

Psychedelic substances that may have therapeutic uses include psilocybin (found in "magic" mushrooms), mescaline (found in the peyote cactus), LSD, ketamine, MDMA, and ibogaine. These substances have been used to treat various mental disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcoholism, depression, and cluster headaches.

In the United States, psychedelic-assisted therapy is still in the clinical trial stage, and individuals need to enroll in a trial to access this treatment. However, states like Oregon and Colorado have legalized psilocybin therapy, and other states have introduced bills to legalize psilocybin for medical or recreational use. Despite FDA skepticism, there is growing institutional interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy, with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs committing $1.5 million to study its effectiveness in treating PTSD and alcohol use disorder in veterans.

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