Sarah Brown
There is a complex relationship between mushrooms and seizures. While some sources claim that psychedelic mushrooms can induce seizures, particularly in those with epilepsy, others argue that there is insufficient evidence to prove a causal relationship. Clinical trials have excluded individuals with a history of seizures, leaving a knowledge gap about the effects of psychedelic mushrooms on this population. However, there are reported cases of seizure remission following psychedelic mushroom use. In 2024, the FDA warned about mushroom edibles with undisclosed ingredients causing seizures, specifically products from the brand Diamond Shruumz, which were found to contain muscimol, a chemical found in certain mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can mushrooms cause seizures? | There is no significant evidence that clinically supervised psychedelic mushroom use causes or exacerbates seizures. However, there have been reported cases of seizures following the ingestion of psychedelic mushrooms, especially in large doses and in people with epilepsy. |
| What kind of mushrooms can cause seizures? | Mushrooms of the genus Amanita contain muscimol, a chemical that can potentially cause seizures. |
| Who is at risk of mushroom-induced seizures? | People who are susceptible to seizures and/or are diagnosed with epilepsy are at risk of mushroom-induced seizures. |
| Are there any other adverse effects of consuming mushrooms? | Yes, other adverse effects include central nervous system depression (loss of consciousness, confusion, and sleepiness), agitation, abnormal heart rates, hyper- and hypotension, nausea, and vomiting. |
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What You'll Learn
- Seizures caused by undisclosed ingredients in mushroom edibles
- Psychedelic mushroom-induced seizures in people with epilepsy
- The safety of psychedelics for people with epilepsy
- The effect of high doses of psychedelic mushrooms on seizures
- The accuracy of prior subjective seizure reporting with psychedelic use
Seizures caused by undisclosed ingredients in mushroom edibles
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about mushroom edibles with undisclosed ingredients causing seizures. The products in question are from the brand Diamond Shruumz, which markets mushroom-based chocolates, cones, and gummies. As of July 1, 2024, the manufacturer, Prophet Premium Blends LLC, has recalled all flavors of Diamond Shruumz-brand products.
So far, there have been at least 48 reported cases of illnesses from 24 states, with 23 hospitalizations. The reported symptoms include seizures, central nervous system depression (loss of consciousness, confusion, and sleepiness), agitation, abnormal heart rates, hypertension, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, intubation was required.
The Diamond Shruumz products list mushrooms like lion's mane and ashwagandha as ingredients, which are well-known, legal, and not typically associated with strong psychoactive effects. However, conflicting information on the product packaging and the company's website has raised concerns about undisclosed ingredients. For example, while the packaging for the Double Chocolate Chip Infused Cones claims to cause euphoria, the company's website provides certificate of analyses by a third party that claim undetectable levels of psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in "magic mushrooms."
While the specific cause of the seizures and other adverse effects is still under investigation, the presence of Muscimol, a chemical found in the Amanita genus of mushrooms, has been identified in the recalled products and is a potential culprit. It is important to note that the risk of seizures associated with mushroom consumption may be influenced by various factors, including individual susceptibility to seizures, epilepsy, and the presence of other substances.
While classic psychedelics, including psychedelic mushrooms, have been re-emerging as therapeutic agents, it is crucial to recognize their potential adverse effects. Although there is a lack of conclusive evidence directly linking classic psychedelics to seizures, case reports and observational studies have suggested a potential association, particularly in individuals with epilepsy or a history of seizures. Therefore, it is essential to approach the consumption of mushroom edibles with caution and be aware of their potential risks, especially when the ingredients and their effects are not fully disclosed or understood.
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Psychedelic mushroom-induced seizures in people with epilepsy
While psychedelic compounds have been used by humans for centuries for medicinal, religious, and tribal purposes, their re-emergence as therapeutic agents has brought to light the need to recognize their adverse effects.
Although rare in frequency, people with epilepsy or those susceptible to seizures are generally excluded from clinical trials involving psychedelics due to the potential adverse consequences of epileptic seizures. This exclusion is despite the lack of significant evidence that clinically supervised psychedelic use causes or exacerbates seizures.
However, there have been reported cases of psychedelic mushroom-induced seizures in people with epilepsy. One such case involved a person with refractory right temporal lobe epilepsy implanted with a responsive neurostimulation (RNS) system. The ingestion of a large dose of psychedelic mushrooms resulted in a significant increase in typical seizure frequency. The patient reported feeling symptoms similar to when his seizures occur but with calmness instead of anxiety.
Another case study reported a significant exacerbation of epileptic seizures in a 31-year-old male with a history of refractory frontal epilepsy. Ingestion of a high dose of psilocybin (3.6 g) resulted in 32 long episodes of prolonged epileptiform activity, while lower doses did not change the baseline seizure frequency.
It is important to note that the risk of seizures with psychedelic mushrooms may be influenced by various factors, including dosage, individual susceptibility, and the concomitant use of other substances. While psychedelic-assisted therapy shows promise for various neurological and psychiatric disorders, further research is needed to fully understand the neurological safety of these compounds, especially in individuals with epilepsy.
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The safety of psychedelics for people with epilepsy
Psychedelics have been used by humans for centuries for medicinal, religious, and tribal purposes. Clinical trial data from the early 2000s indicate that psychedelics are a clinically efficacious treatment for a variety of 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.
Despite the lack of inclusion in clinical trials, there have been several reports of individuals experiencing seizures or seizure remission following psychedelic use. For example, 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. In another case, a person with epilepsy who had a responsive neurostimulation (RNS) system implanted experienced a large increase in typical seizure frequency after ingesting a large dose of psychedelic mushrooms.
On the other hand, there is no significant evidence that clinically supervised psychedelic use causes or exacerbates seizures in individuals with epilepsy. In fact, a few controlled studies support classical psychedelics as safe and tolerable under clinical supervision, even for patients with a history of epilepsy who experience spontaneous, recurrent seizures. The safety profile of classical psychedelics in epilepsy patients needs to be further characterized to determine if these compounds can be used to treat functional seizures and co-morbid neuropsychiatric conditions.
While the risk of seizures with psychedelic drugs is known, the literature is lacking in detail. The findings from animal models are inconsistent, with some studies suggesting a possible protective effect of some psychedelics against seizures. However, the pooled sample size is often low, and there is a lack of systematic assessment of adverse effects and proper sample selection.
In conclusion, while there have been reports of psychedelic-induced seizures, there is currently insufficient evidence to demonstrate a causal relationship between seizures and the use of classic psychedelics. More research is needed to determine the safety profile of psychedelic drugs for individuals with epilepsy, especially as psychedelic-assisted therapy is being explored as a promising treatment for various mental health disorders.
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The effect of high doses of psychedelic mushrooms on seizures
Psychedelic compounds, including mushrooms, have been used by humans for centuries for medicinal, religious, and tribal purposes. In recent times, they have re-emerged as therapeutic agents with unique clinical benefits. However, it is important to understand the adverse effects of this drug class. While the risk of seizures associated with psychedelic drugs is known, the literature on this topic is lacking in detail.
There have been reported cases of psychedelic mushroom-induced seizures in individuals with epilepsy. In one case, a 31-year-old male with a history of refractory frontal epilepsy experienced 32 long episodes of epileptiform activity after ingesting a high dose of 3.6g of psychedelic mushrooms. This was a significant increase from his typical long episode counts of 0-2. It is worth noting that ingestion of a lower dose of 1.5g did not change his baseline seizure frequency.
Another case involved a person with refractory right temporal lobe epilepsy implanted with a responsive neurostimulation (RNS) system. A large increase in typical seizure frequency coincided with the ingestion of a large dose of psychedelic mushrooms. This was the first reported case of electrographically confirmed seizures associated with classic psychedelic drug use.
It is important to note that clinical trials examining psychedelic substances have excluded individuals with a history of seizures. As a result, there is a lack of data on the potential impact of psychedelics on this population. However, some early publications have reported cases of acute seizures provoked by LSD in subjects with epilepsy.
In recent news, the FDA has issued a warning about mushroom-based edibles with undisclosed ingredients causing seizures. The products in question, marketed by the brand Diamond Shruumz, contained muscimol, a chemical found in certain mushrooms, which is potentially linked to the adverse symptoms experienced by consumers.
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The accuracy of prior subjective seizure reporting with psychedelic use
Psychedelics are increasingly being recognised for their therapeutic benefits and are being researched as a treatment for various neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, it is crucial to also understand the adverse effects of these substances. While seizures are a known adverse effect of psychedelic use, the literature on this topic is scarce and lacks detail. This is partly due to the exclusion of individuals with a history of seizures or epilepsy from clinical trials involving psychedelics. This exclusion has resulted in limited data on the potential impact of psychedelics on seizure disorders.
The case of a patient with epilepsy who experienced a significant increase in seizure frequency after ingesting psychedelic mushrooms is a notable addition to the literature. This case was unique as the patient had refractory right temporal lobe epilepsy and was treated with a responsive neurostimulation (RNS) system, providing objective documentation of the seizures associated with psychedelic exposure. The patient reported feeling symptoms similar to his typical seizures but with a sense of calmness instead of anxiety. This case highlights the importance of considering factors such as a history of epilepsy and drug doses when examining the risk of psychedelic-induced seizures.
While there is limited evidence of a causal relationship between seizures and the use of classic psychedelics, the available literature suggests that the risk of seizures may be influenced by various factors. These factors include a history of epilepsy or seizure disorders, the dosage and regimen of psychedelic substances, and the concomitant use of other drugs. For example, a case study reported a significant increase in epileptic seizures in a patient with a history of refractory frontal epilepsy after ingesting a high dose of 3.6 grams of psychedelic mushrooms. Additionally, the interaction between LSD and fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), resulted in a focal seizure that progressed to a generalized tonic-clonic seizure.
Furthermore, the recent recall of Diamond Shroomz-branded mushroom-based products due to the presence of muscimol, a chemical found in certain mushrooms, underscores the potential risks associated with undisclosed ingredients in mushroom edibles. Several cases of severe illness, including seizures, have been linked to the consumption of these products, highlighting the importance of transparency and regulatory oversight in the mushroom-based product industry.
In conclusion, while the literature on the subject is limited, the available evidence suggests that prior subjective seizure reporting with psychedelic use may not always accurately predict the risk of seizure occurrence. It is crucial to consider individual factors, such as a history of epilepsy and drug interactions, when assessing the potential for psychedelic-induced seizures. Further research is needed to comprehensively understand the relationship between psychedelic use and seizures, especially in individuals with seizure disorders.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms that contain psychoactive compounds, such as psilocybin, have been associated with an increased risk of seizures in individuals with epilepsy. However, there is limited data and research on the direct causal relationship between mushroom ingestion and seizures.
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or psilocybin mushrooms, have been reported to induce seizures in some individuals with epilepsy. Additionally, recent news reports have warned about mushroom-based edibles, such as the Diamond Shruumz brand, which have undisclosed ingredients and have been linked to severe cases of seizures and other illnesses.
Yes, it is important to consider the dosage of psychedelic mushrooms. Some reports suggest that high doses of psilocybin can significantly increase the frequency of seizures in individuals with epilepsy. Additionally, the concomitant use of other substances, such as alcohol, marijuana, or specific medications, may also influence the risk of seizures.
