Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)

Interactions between classic psychedelic drugs and other medications: a systematic review

Updated

Abstract

Essence

This systematic review found that classic psychedelics can have attenuated, potentiated, or unchanged effects when taken with other drugs.

Evidence

A systematic review of 52 human studies from 36 reports covering LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, and ayahuasca identified interactions with antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, mood stabilisers, recreational drugs, and others, with few serious adverse drug events outside case reports.

Caveat

Because the human evidence was limited and heterogeneous across substances and co-medications, the review maps possible interactions rather than establishing consistent clinical risk estimates.

Simplified

Key numbers

52
Total Studies Reviewed
Studies included in the review focusing on classic psychedelics and drug interactions.
7102
Total Records Screened
Records screened during the systematic review process.
32
Studies on LSD
Number of studies specifically investigating interactions involving LSD.

Key figures

Figure 1.
Study selection process for a systematic review on classic psychedelic drug interactions
Anchors the review by clearly mapping how relevant studies on psychedelic drug interactions were identified and selected
10.1177_02698811231211219-fig1
  • Panel Identification
    Records identified from databases (n=2658) and other methods (websites n=6336, citation search n=6), with duplicates removed before screening (621 from databases, 1272 from other methods)
  • Panel Screening
    Records screened (databases n=2037, other methods n=5065) with most records excluded (2008 from databases, 1634 from other methods)
  • Panel Reports Retrieval and Eligibility
    Reports sought for retrieval (databases n=29, other methods n=52), with some reports not retrieved (4 from other methods) and reports assessed for eligibility (databases n=29, other methods n=48)
  • Panel Reports Excluded
    Reports excluded for reasons including review articles, limited information, language, non-scientific papers, animal subjects, and criteria not met (total exclusions detailed separately for databases and other methods)
  • Panel Included Studies
    Studies included in review (n=52) and reports of included studies (n=36), with 16 from databases and 20 from other methods

Full Text

What this is

  • This systematic review examines () involving classic psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, DMT, and 5-MeO-DMT.
  • It synthesizes findings from 52 studies published before September 2, 2023, focusing on how these psychedelics interact with various other drugs.
  • The review identifies both potentiated and attenuated effects when classic psychedelics are combined with other substances, along with a discussion of potential molecular pathways.

Essence

  • Classic psychedelics can interact with many other drugs, leading to varied effects ranging from enhanced to diminished responses. This review compiles existing research to clarify these interactions.

Key takeaways

  • Classic psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin can have their effects altered by other drugs, including antidepressants and antipsychotics. For instance, SSRIs such as fluoxetine can reduce the effects of LSD.
  • Interactions may lead to both potentiated effects, such as increased hallucinogenic experiences with tricyclic antidepressants, and attenuated effects, where the psychological impact of psychedelics is diminished.
  • The review underscores the need for further research on involving classic psychedelics, given the limited studies available and the potential for serious adverse reactions.

Caveats

  • The review includes older studies that may lack comprehensive data on outcomes and methods, potentially affecting the reliability of findings.
  • Case reports included may introduce bias and limit generalizability to broader populations, as they often represent isolated incidents.
  • The focus on specific psychedelics excludes others, which may also have significant interactions with various drugs.

Definitions

  • Drug-drug interactions (DDIs): Situations where one drug affects the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of another, potentially altering its effects.
  • Pharmacokinetic interactions: Interactions that occur when one drug influences the absorption, distribution, metabolism, or elimination of another drug.
  • Pharmacodynamic interactions: Interactions that modify the pharmacological effects of one drug by another, which can be synergistic, additive, or antagonistic.

Simplified

Funding

Competing interests

2 of 4
authors report competing interests
PubMed

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