Emma Wilson
The use of psychedelic mushrooms, or magic mushrooms, has been associated with an increased risk of seizures in individuals with epilepsy or other seizure disorders. While the data on the relationship between mushroom usage and seizures is limited, there have been several reported cases of seizures induced by psychedelic mushrooms in individuals with epilepsy. However, it is important to note that the overall trend suggests that psychedelics are safe for use in a controlled, supervised clinical setting. With the increasing popularity and availability of psychedelic mushrooms, it is crucial to conduct more research to understand the potential risks associated with their usage, especially in individuals with a history of seizures or epilepsy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of seizures caused by mushrooms | Rare |
| Populations susceptible to seizures caused by mushrooms | People with epilepsy or a history of seizures |
| Factors influencing the risk of seizures | Drug doses and regimens, history of epilepsy |
| Effects of mushrooms on seizure frequency | High doses may increase seizure frequency, while low doses may not affect baseline frequency |
| Safety of mushrooms for people with epilepsy | Unknown; clinical trials have excluded people with epilepsy due to potential risks |
| Role of mushrooms in seizure treatment | Some reports suggest remission of seizures following mushroom use |
| Psychedelic compounds in mushrooms | Psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, ketamine, etc. |
| Regional trends in mushroom seizures | Increases in seizures observed in the Midwest, West, and South regions of the US |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms have been used for medicinal purposes
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. In Central America, Aztec and Mazateca cultures believed that magic mushrooms had divine properties and used them during coronations and other important events until at least the 1500s. Some researchers also believe that rock paintings in Western Australia show the use of psilocybin in Indigenous ceremonies over 10,000 years ago.
Psilocybin, the chemical found in magic mushrooms, has a wide range of health benefits. It has a low level of toxicity, meaning there is a low risk of causing potentially fatal events like breathing problems or a heart attack. It is also being studied for its potential to treat mental health disorders like substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In 2021, the Australian government announced $15 million worth of grants to researchers studying the mental health benefits of psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin. As of July 1, 2023, medicines containing psilocybin can be prescribed by authorized psychiatrists to people experiencing treatment-resistant depression in Australia.
However, it is important to note that there are health risks associated with taking psilocybin, particularly when unsupervised and outside of a research study and clinical supervision. Magic mushrooms can cause people to experience distorted sights and sounds and lose their sense of time and space. People who take psilocybin may also feel intense emotions ranging from bliss to terror and may have physical side effects such as increased heart rate or nausea.
Additionally, there is a potential link between magic mushroom usage and seizures. While there is not sufficient evidence to demonstrate a causal relationship between seizures and the use of classic psychedelics, people who are susceptible to seizures and/or are diagnosed with epilepsy are generally excluded from clinical trials or informal spaces where psychedelics are provided due to the potential adverse consequences of epileptic seizures. There have been several reported cases of psychedelic-induced seizures, including a significant exacerbation of seizures in a person with epilepsy after consuming a large dose of magic mushrooms.
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There is no evidence that psychedelics induce seizures
Clinical trial data from the early 2000s to the present indicates that psychedelics are a clinically efficacious treatment for various neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, individuals with a history of seizures or epilepsy are typically excluded from these trials due to potential adverse consequences. Despite this exclusion, there is no significant evidence that clinically supervised psychedelic use causes or exacerbates seizures in this population. To date, no clinical trial or preclinical seizure model has demonstrated that psychedelics induce seizures.
While the risk of seizures with psychedelic drugs is known, the literature is lacking in detail. Most reports of psychedelic-induced seizures involve the ingestion of large doses of psychedelic substances, particularly in individuals with a history of epilepsy or seizure disorders. For example, a case study by Blond et al. (2023) reported a significant increase in epileptic seizures in a 31-year-old male with refractory frontal epilepsy after ingesting a high dose of 3.6 g of psychedelic mushrooms. Similarly, a case report by Argento et al. (2023) described a 51-year-old female with refractory functional seizures who experienced a daily frequency of seizures after ingesting an unspecified dose of psychedelic mushrooms.
It is important to note that the available data on the safety of psychedelics is preliminary and may not be derived from methodologically robust studies. As the use of psychedelic compounds continues to grow, it is urgent to gather more information about their potential adverse effects, including the risk of seizures. This is especially relevant as psychedelic-assisted therapy is being researched as a promising treatment for mental disorders, which are more prevalent in the population suffering from epileptic seizures.
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People with epilepsy are excluded from clinical trials
While psychedelic compounds have been used by humans for centuries for medicinal, religious, and tribal purposes, people with epilepsy are often excluded from clinical trials due to the potential adverse consequences of epileptic seizures. Clinical trial data from the early 2000s to the present indicates that psychedelics are a clinically effective treatment for various neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, all clinical trials examining these substances have excluded individuals with a history of seizures, leaving a large group of epilepsy patients without access to psychedelic-assisted therapy.
The exclusion of people with epilepsy from clinical trials is a safety precaution. The safety profile of classical psychedelics in individuals with epilepsy must be characterized to determine if these compounds are safe for use in treating functional seizures and co-morbid neuropsychiatric conditions. The risk of seizures with this class of drugs is known, but the literature lacks detail. There have been reports of psychedelic-induced seizures in individuals with epilepsy, and the risk for drug-induced seizures should be considered, along with factors such as dosage and regimen.
In the case of a 31-year-old male with refractory frontal epilepsy, ingestion of a high dose of psychedelic mushrooms (3.6 g) resulted in 32 long episodes of epileptiform activity, while a lower dose (1.5 g) did not change baseline seizure frequency. This case highlights a significant exacerbation of seizures in an individual with epilepsy associated with psychedelic mushroom use. Another case report describes a person with epilepsy who experienced a significant increase in typical seizure frequency after ingesting a large dose of mushrooms.
Clinical trials are designed to find answers to specific health questions, often involving new medications, drug combinations, surgical procedures, or devices. Before a new treatment can be tested on humans, it must demonstrate benefits in laboratory testing, animal experiments, or trials with small volunteer groups. To ensure the safety of participants, the sponsoring organization, such as a medical center or research institute, must approve the protocol. A federal group called the Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews protocols to ensure participants are treated ethically and humanely and that the treatment's benefits outweigh its risks.
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Large doses of mushrooms can cause seizures in epileptic patients
Psilocybin, the primary psychoactive component in "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms", is the most prevalent plant-based hallucinogen used in the United States. While psychedelic compounds have been used by humans for centuries for medicinal, religious, and tribal purposes, their safety profile in individuals with epilepsy is still unclear.
Several studies have reported cases of psychedelic-induced seizures in patients with epilepsy. For instance, a case study by Blond et al. (2023) described a significant increase in epileptic seizures in a 31-year-old male with a history of refractory frontal epilepsy after ingesting a large dose (3.6 g) of psychedelic mushrooms. The patient had been previously implanted with a responsive neurostimulation system (RNS) and continued to experience focal seizures without awareness. The ingestion of psilocybin at high doses resulted in 32 long episodes (30 seconds) of prolonged epileptiform activity, while lower doses (1.5 g) did not change his baseline seizure frequency.
Another case report by Argento et al. (2023) described a 51-year-old female with refractory functional seizures who experienced a cluster of seizures after consuming psychedelic mushrooms. Similarly, a case report by Freidel et al. (2024) presented a patient with refractory right temporal lobe epilepsy and an RNS system who experienced a significant increase in seizures following the ingestion of a large dose of psychedelic mushrooms. The patient reported feeling symptoms similar to their seizures but with calmness instead of anxiety.
Although these case reports suggest a potential link between large doses of mushrooms and seizures in epileptic patients, it is important to note that the literature is limited and the risk of seizures with this drug class is not yet fully understood. To date, no clinical trial or preclinical seizure model has demonstrated that psychedelics induce seizures. However, due to the potential adverse consequences, individuals with epilepsy or a history of seizures are typically excluded from clinical trials or informal spaces where psychedelics are provided.
In conclusion, while the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds is being explored, more research is needed to characterize their safety profile in individuals with epilepsy and determine if they are safe for use in treating functional seizures and co-morbid neuropsychiatric conditions.
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Ayahuasca users have experienced seizures
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic substance made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and other ingredients. It is native to the Amazon region and is used in spiritual ceremonies and as a traditional medicine. Ayahuasca contains a chemical called DMT, which is similar to serotonin and can be snorted, smoked, injected, or ingested as a tea.
While the chemical makeup of DMT is not known to lead to addiction, psychological cravings can occur. Ayahuasca can also cause a range of side effects and serious adverse events, including elevated heart rate and blood pressure, serotonin syndrome, allergic reactions, seizures, respiratory arrest, coma, and even death.
A recently published study with 8,216 ayahuasca users found that 1.3% (n=106) experienced seizures. Another small observational study with 40 first-time ayahuasca users reported one case of seizures. These studies indicate that ayahuasca can induce seizures in some individuals, although serious adverse events are extremely rare.
The risk of seizures associated with ayahuasca use may be influenced by various factors, including the dosage, individual differences in physiology and brain chemistry, and the presence of other substances. It is important to note that the available data on the relationship between ayahuasca and seizures are limited, and further research is needed to fully understand the potential risks.
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Frequently asked questions
There is not sufficient evidence to demonstrate a causal relationship between seizures and the use of classic psychedelics. However, people who are susceptible to seizures or diagnosed with epilepsy are often excluded from clinical trials or informal spaces where psychedelics are provided due to the potential adverse consequences of epileptic seizures.
A case study by Blond et al. (2023) reported a significant increase in epileptic seizures following the ingestion of a large dose (3.6 g) of psychedelic mushrooms in a 31-year-old male with a history of refractory frontal epilepsy. The patient had been previously implanted with a responsive neurostimulation system (RNS) and continued to experience focal seizures without awareness. According to his RNS data, ingesting a high dose of psilocybin (3.6 g) resulted in 32 long episodes (30 s of prolonged epileptiform activity).
Another case report describes a person with epilepsy who experienced a significant increase in seizures after ingesting psychedelic mushrooms. This person had refractory right temporal lobe epilepsy and was implanted with an RNS system. The mushrooms were identified as Psilocybe cubensis, which contain the classic psychedelic psilocybin.
While these cases highlight the potential risks associated with psychedelic mushroom use in individuals with epilepsy, it is important to note that the overall trend suggests that psychedelics are safe for use in a controlled, supervised clinical setting. More research is needed to characterize the safety profile of classical psychedelics in individuals with epilepsy and determine if these compounds can be used to treat functional seizures and co-morbid neuropsychiatric conditions.
